I think we all can agree that our TREE FOR A TREE® program is an awesome idea for replacing the trees that we remove, but as I set in the office watching nature happen outside my window, I started thinking of other reasons to plant trees. Trees provide countless benefits to our environment as well as providing food and shelter for a number of living organisms. Anytime that I am walking through a property I cannot help but notice the birds enjoying all that the trees are providing for them. I decided to write about planting trees that provide shelter and food for birds throughout the year.
Understanding Conifers
Understanding conifers should begin with a few simple definitions to clarify and classify. A conifer is a plant that bears its seeds in cones. When we hear the word cone, we likely think of pine and spruce trees, two types of coniferous trees that are widely found throughout Central Ohio and beyond. Their cones are obvious when they fall and scatter on the ground surrounding the tree. But did you know that yews (Taxus) and junipers are also conifers?
Don’t get Fooled by the Fall Color of Conifers
Every fall I get calls from folks concerned about yellow needles on their evergreen trees. Often times I’m told that the trees are sick or that they appear to be dying from the inside out. There are some disease and insect problems that can cause yellowing and premature loss of needles in conifers but most often what people are reporting is just normal fall color.
Fear no Weevil (With Fall Systemic Insecticide)
As we prepare for another season of Fall Tree Wellness, another important insect pest to take note of is the White Pine Weevil. White Pine Weevil is a damaging pest to a broad range of conifers, including White, Scotch, Red and Austrian pine as well as Colorado blue, Norway, and Serbian spruce. Douglas-fir can also be attacked.
✅Lacebark Pine
General Info
- Latin Name - Pinus bungeana
- Native Range - China
- Growth Rate - Slow
- Mature Height - 30–50’
- Mature Spread - 20–30
Arborist Thoughts
- The Lacebark Pine is one of the most beautiful and interesting pines because of its attractive exfoliating bark at maturity. The bark is initially green but will begin to flake off revealing, brown, white and silver areas once stems reach 1.5 – 2 inches in diameter.
- Hardy and adaptable to high pH soils and makes an excellent specimen tree when planted in a location where the bark is visible
- Could also be used for screening as an alternative to other commonly used evergreens