EPSI’s Post

While we're in the business of saving trees, removing dead or dying trees is sometimes unavoidable. The winter months offer a beneficial time to do so. Why? ⁠ ⁠ 🍂 Less foliage means less clean-up, making the removal process more efficient. ⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ It is a proactive step towards mitigating safety risks by removing dead or dying trees before winter storms hit. ⁠ ⁠ 🐦⬛ Removal during winter can reduce the impact on wildlife such as birds who have migrated for winter.⁠ ⁠ If you have a tree slated for removal, now is the time to collect bids to do so. Southern Botanical offers competitive pricing and quality work performed by certified arborists. ⁠ ⁠ Give us a call to schedule your free 30-minute arborist consultation to receive a bid immediately. (214)366-2103⁠

We were pleased to see our first spring ephemeral blooming recently, Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica). In restoration, land use history can be difficult to determine. Was a forest cleared for pasture or, more commonly in our region, did a grassland become forest when fire was removed? Spring ephemerals and other conservative (require high-quality habitat) forest or woodland herbaceous groundlayer species can be a clue. Ephemerals grow and bloom while leaves are off the trees in early spring, taking advantage of the increased sunlight. A diverse community of them suggests historical forest or woodland. But these are different ecosystems (a forest is usually defined as having more than 80% canopy cover and a woodland has 30-80%) so which was it? Each have typical groundlayer and understory species adapted to different amounts of sunlight, a woodland has a lush groundlayer but this can be lost if the woodland degrades to forest. The trees can help—oaks require sunlight for regeneration so they are a woodland species—but mesic hardwoods (e.g. maples, beech, tuliptrees) have expanded outside their natural habitat in coves and shady north slopes in the absence of fire. The solid tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) stands so common in Virginia are early successional regrowth following clearcuts or abandonment of pasture and are not natural forests. Every ecosystem has its natural place and we try determine what a site should be before doing restoration. 📸📝: Booker Moritz, Conservation Manager #ephimeral #farming #landmanagmenet #sustainablefarming #kinlochfarm #huntcountryva #fauquiercounty #theplainsva

Grass management of public space in urban areas is a subject that produces a variety of viewpoints; however, the Town Council needs to create a balance between the need for regular cutting of amenity areas and highway safety margins, and the need to leave longer grass in some areas to benefit wildlife. Our Grass Cutting Strategy designates all grass areas into categories, and you can read more about this on our website. We have developed a map to illustrate where the 21 Wildlife Areas are located, and new signs will soon be installed at each Wildlife Area to help identify them. We manage an extensive area of green open space, and it is not practical to pause the entire grass cutting round for #NoMowMay, without grass becoming unmanageable, creating a situation where available resources would be unable to catch up effectively and deliver the standards desired. However, the 21 Wildlife Areas will not be cut in May. For more information, and to view the map: bit.ly/__grass

Here are a few ways you can create better habitat either in your garden or on larger acreages. Although seeding areas with native plants and pollinator mixes is important, most areas no longer have the resources for wildlife to carry out their life cycle. Diversifying soils, adding wood above and below ground, and securing large stones or stone piles all create necessary shelters, nesting sites, and overwintering spaces for wildlife. Check out this 70 min presentation on creating robust habitat that includes native plants and so much more. https://lnkd.in/gsJtgtS8

Trees have countless benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment and most of us enjoy those benefits either recreationally or as part of our daily routines. But we must remember that trees are living and dynamic organisms that require management. Management will vary greatly depending on the trees’ location. As we have recently seen with Storm Henk trees pose a risk to people and property. Whilst some tree failures (either whole or in part) are expected in high winds, these can be reduced through inspection and management. Landowners and tree managers have a legal duty to manage their trees. Our in-house arboriculturists undertake tree surveys to identify any potential risks associated with trees. The information collected from these surveys is collated within a schedule that is accompanied by a tree location plan and report. These set out actions required to reduce risk and can be used as a defendable document should there be an incident. Tree surveys also inform tree risk management policy documents, these provide a strategic overview of a landowner (or tree manager’s) approach and also provide a threshold for when actions will be taken. Tree risk surveys are essential for people responsible for managing urban trees, public spaces, parks, business parks, schools and colleges and private properties including estates to safeguard people and property including infrastructure. Find out more about our arb services at - https://lnkd.in/ehivfYTA #Arboriculture #Trees #Arborist #ThomsonArb

An ideal shoreline buffer is a strip of native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses at least 30 metres wide that extends from the waterline upland to protect the water from both natural and human-induced impacts. If your property has a manicured lawn to the water’s edge, try leaving a 10-15 metre (or more!) strip of shoreline un-mowed to allow for natural regeneration of native vegetation. ➡️ Planting deep-rooted vegetation, like trees and shrubs, will bind and stabilize the soil along your shoreline, reducing property loss caused by erosion. ➡️ Using their extensive root systems, trees and shrubs will also act as barriers to reduce surface runoff, slow floodwaters, and filter pollutants and excess nutrients. ➡️ Planting native shrubs that produce berries and flowers will provide birds, pollinators, and small mammals with shelter and a year-round food source. Are you a shoreline property owner? Restoring your shoreline with native plants is a great way protect the health of your water and create great areas for wildlife viewing! Get in touch with Chantal from The Natural Edge team to inquire about a free site visit: https://lnkd.in/gbV29tVw

Did you know many of the bush birds that live in the Mount Lofty Ranges have been in decline for many years, as a result of habitat loss and changes to the landscape? Take the Beautiful firetail, for example. One of the most threatened birds in the region, the firetail was recently listed as endangered, with surveys over the past decade showing Deep Creek National Park and its surrounds are the last remaining stronghold for this particular species. The good news is a $1m SA Government project is now underway to restore important heathland and grassy vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, to help bring woodland birds back. Some of the money will be used for monitoring to better understand the threatened species population. A partnership between Department for Environment and Water, Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and Mount Lofty Ranges Bird Recovery Alliance, the project will help the endangered firetail, but will also benefit other species, such as the southern emu-wren. Follow the link to read more about this important project to restore vital habitat for woodland birds on the Fleurieu Peninsula and Mount Lofty Ranges: https://lnkd.in/gfFCuRmb #WoodlandBirds #Birds #EndangeredSpecies #Habitat #MountLoftyRanges #FleurieuPeninsula #Adelaide #SouthAustralia

🌊 Exciting Day! 🌿  A few weeks ago, we embarked on a journey to recreate a beautiful pond for one of our customers and it is now complete! 🏞️✨  Excavating a pond isn’t just about digging a hole; it's about crafting a serene oasis for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for visitors and staff at the site. 🔹 **Why We’re Doing It:**  Ponds attract diverse wildlife, provide a habitat for fish and plants, and create a stunning focal point for any landscape. 🔹 **What we need to do:**  1. **Planning the Space:** Carefully choosing the perfect spot with sunlight and shade.  2. **Excavating:** Digging deep enough for various depths - perfect for different species!  3. **Lining and Filling:** Protecting the pond with quality materials to retain water. As we are restoring this beautiful pond, we have removed all weeding from the pond, and renewed the Jetty's to bring the pond back to life. As you can see, the swans certainly approve of the work that has been completed 🦆 Stay tuned for updates as we watch the pond evolve into a thriving ecosystem! 🦋🐸💦 #PondLife #EcoFriendly #NatureLovers #SustainableLiving Feel free to share your tips or experiences with pond building below!👇

Ugly Doesn't Mean Unhealthy Our eagle-eyed arborists are trained to spot potential problems during tree surveys. One recent case involved a seemingly ordinary tree with a slight bulge at the base. This bulge can be a sign of internal issues, like decay, or the tree adding growth to compensate for past damage. Taking a Closer Look: Upon further inspection, we discovered several cavities at the base of the tree, confirming the presence of internal decay. But before you jump to conclusions, here's the good news: - Strength in Numbers: The tree itself remains structurally sound. The surrounding healthy wood provides ample support, allowing the tree to stand strong for many years. - A Haven for Wildlife: Hollows and cavities are vital to a healthy ecosystem. They provide essential homes for various creatures, from birds and small mammals to insects and even some reptiles. This particular tree, despite its decay, is now a valuable habitat for local wildlife. The Takeaway: Trees are incredibly resilient! While cavities can sometimes be a cause for concern, a thorough inspection by a qualified arborist can determine the overall health and stability of the tree. In this case, the decay doesn't pose a threat, and the tree continues to thrive, offering both beauty and ecological benefits. #tree #arboriculture #arb #treesurvey #sitedevelopment #homeowner

Happy #TexasWaterWednesday! The San Marcos River is beloved for its crystal-clear waters and rich history. The river flows for over 70 miles, bursting from the Edwards Aquifer through 200 spring openings at the bottom of Spring Lake in the heart of San Marcos, Texas (San Marcos Parks and Recreation). The Meadows Center credits the Upper San Marcos River as one of the most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems in the southwestern United States. Much of the river is protected by the Edwards Aquifer habitat conservation plan due to the wildlife that calls this river home, including the San Marcos Fountain Darter, the Texas Blind Salamander, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos Gambusia, and Texas wild rice. Archaeological findings suggest that the San Marcos River has been the site of human habitation for more than 10,000 years, originally home to Tonkawa tribes (Texas State Historical Association). Today, the river is popular for recreational activities such as tubing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Photo by Arthur Thompson on Unsplash #TexasWater #SanMarcosRiver #Springs #River