The joy of secs Jan 26, 2008
7 With the majority of evergreen conifer hedges, never cut beyond the green foliage (yew hedges are an exception). Inside that green shell, the older wood is bare and is unlikely to resprout new growths. (Guardian Unlimited)
It's time to consider the garden in winter Jan 20, 2008
Plant any kind of a golden conifer ... I ve planted a lot of golden conifers in the last eight to 10 years ... Lots of conifers including the golden ones such as Rheingold arborvitae (Thuja occisentalis Rheingold ). (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
A conifer for every garden Jan 10, 2008
Conifer cultivars for your garden ... While this graceful evergreen may be too large to consider for your garden, there are many selections of conifers that are dwarf when compared to the species ... Many conifers are well suited for incorporating into your perennial garden, growing as specimens in pots or combining in a mixed border with other trees and shrubs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Fibre Slims Down Jan 7, 2008
medic 630 wrote on Jan 6, 2008 2:04 PM:" Hey Gerry last time i checked that conifer needles dont work too well while attempting to wipe your hiney. Get your head out of Al Gore's butt. The timber industry was Washington State's number one employer for five generations. I challenge you to live one day without any wood products. ". trees for the future wrote on Jan 6, 2008 2:24 PM:" Gerry doesn't realize that renewable resources, like wood, are the future--not the past. Just wait, we will be... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Green Thoughts: Where dead plants talk Jan 5, 2008
The Steere Herbarium is the fourth largest on the planet, and while it contains flowering plant, conifer, fern, moss, liverwort, algae, fungi and lichen specimens from around the globe, it specializes in those from the Western Hemisphere. Housed in a new state-of-the-art building, it's a quasi-museum/library designed to contain the products of wild field and forest. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Poinsettia 'tree' to return to mall in '08 Dec 21, 2007
The display consisted of a 30-foot metal frame shaped like a conifer that held roughly 750 poinsettia plants. This year, the owner of the mall, Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc., replaced the tree with a display called "Santastic" and donated the tree frame to the Howard Hospital Foundation's annual Symphony of Lights display at Merriweather Post Pavilion. (Columbia Flier, MD)
No tree? Give your plants a holiday makeover Dec 20, 2007
Emerald Green' Arborvitae: It's technically an outdoor plant, but this conifer can briefly moonlight as an indoor plant, Woodworth said. You can string this evergreen with lights, but keep it in a sunny area while indoors. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
BREAKING NEWS: MALL TO BRING BACK TREE IN 2008 Dec 20, 2007
The display consisted of a 30-foot metal frame shaped like a conifer that held roughly 750 poinsettia plants. This year, the owner of the mall, Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc., replaced the tree with a display called Santastic and donated the tree frame to the Howard Hospital Foundation s annual Symphony of Lights display at Merriweather Post Pavilion, which General Growth also owns. (Howard County Times, MD)
Gopher gulch: Friend of the trees Dec 19, 2007
Beside the porch steps was some sort of evergreen conifer. Assorted critters of the furred and feathered sort lived in the tree, where they sang and squeaked and carried on fascinating conversations. (Daily Triplicate)
2008 REAP windbreak funds now available Dec 18, 2007
Windbreak designs require a minimum of three rows of multiple species conifer trees. Additional rows may be installed using conifer and hardwood trees, or shrubs. (Keokuk Daily Gate City, IO)
Cypress towers Dec 13, 2007
The blue Italian cypress, known botanically as Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca,' is a dense, narrow conifer that produces small cones, according to "Sunset Western Garden" (Sunset Books, $34 ... While these conifers may do better in soil with good drainage, they'll do fine in other soil conditions, too, says Craig Pierce, the propagator at Miller-Clark. (Fresno Bee)
Christmas Tree Farm only open for seven more days Dec 12, 2007
The tree farm is the only one of its kind in the area, and people travel from Vanderpool to San Antonio to walk the aisles in search of their perfect Christmas conifer. Hingst, who shares operating duties with his wife Berniece, is keeping the farm open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. until Wednesday, Dec. 19. (Bandera Bulletin, TX)
Lovely colors and shapes can make your winter garden sparkle Dec 1, 2007
"The Garden in Winter" picks up where her previous book left off, exploring a wintry space that is home to gold and silver conifers, trees with interesting bark and sculptural branches, variegated shrubs, unusual ground covers and grasses that fade from silver to blonde or caramel ... Asked if some space-starved gardeners might begrudge any ground given over to a winter conifer or shrub that might provide room for another summer-blooming rose, Ms. Bales laughed ... The next five chapters range... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Klem: The secret lives of birds Nov 29, 2007
Crows build large nests from twigs, bark, and grass and carefully conceal them in conifer trees. Great horned owls opportunistically use old hawk or crow nests, padding them with feathers from their breasts. (Lincoln Journal, MA)
The Beauty of Conifers Nov 27, 2007
Plant hunters, propagators,and geneticists have developed rare and unusual conifers which are out of this world ... Conifers are evergreen trees and shrubs (however there are a few that are deciduous) that in simplest terms bear cones ... As a landscape designer, conifers - especially the dwarf varieties offer great choices for specimen planting to make the garden special. (Suite101.com)
Glacial vicariance in Eurasia: mitochondrial DNA evidence from Scots pine for a complex heritage involving genetically distinct refugia at mid-northern latitudes and in Asia Minor Nov 24, 2007
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a nordic conifer with a wide natural range covering much of Eurasia. Fractures in its extant genetic structure might be indicative of glacial vicariance and how different refugia contributed to the current distribution at the continental level. (BioMed Central)
Her life was 'a song to God' Nov 23, 2007
"In the fall, we enjoyed the bea.jpgul yellow Sugar Maple that she brought from the mountains to plant in her yard. In the spring, we were enchanted with the white dogwood that was entwined with blue wisteria. At Christmas, we were cheered with the huge front-yard conifer that became a Christmas tree complete with lights. Jackie's love of nature truly made her life a song to God," Baker said. Boo Poole, Bethel Park's choir director and organist, said in a tribute composed by all the choir... (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Winter and Holiday Themed Plants Nov 21, 2007
Chamaecyparis 'Snowkist', 'Snow' Both these false cypress conifers are dwarf cultivars but Snowkist is a variegated form while Snow is nearly pure white ... Pinus wallichiana 'Frosty' A large pine tree, this evergreen conifer grows over 30 tall and has yellow or white tipped needles that give it a frosted appearance. (Suite101.com)
The Big County - Perthshire Nov 19, 2007
The tallest tree in Britain is a mighty Douglas fir, located in the National Trust for Scotland site at The Hermitage, near Dunkeld As if that s not enough, there s the widest conifer in Britain - a giant redwood at Cluny House Gardens, and so the list goes on ... There you can see the widest conifer in Britain - a giant Wellingtonia - 11 metres in girth and over 130 years old, and one of the first specimens introduced to Europe from California in the 1850's. (Suite101.com)
CellFor Announces $24,500,000 Financing Nov 12, 2007
CellFor has produced and CellFor customers have planted over twenty million elite conifer seedlings in the southeastern U.S., Canada, Chile, New Zealand and Australia. In addition to varieties currently in production, CellFor has more than 100 trial locations and thousands of conifer varieties in multi-year field trials that will continue to yield improved results. (Canada Newswire)
As temperatures rise, a greening of Greenland Oct 29, 2007
When using the words "growing" in connection with Greenland in the same sentence, it is important to remember that although Greenland is about four times the size of France, it has only nine conifer forests like Bjerge's, all of them cultivated. It has only 51 farms. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Other fossil finds Oct 28, 2007
The Metasequoia, a conifer tree related to current pines, junipers and yews, is Oregon s state fossil, recognized as such by the Oregon Legislature on May 4, 2005. The Metasequoia fossils in Oregon commonly date from the Miocene Epoch roughly the same time during which the recent fossilized whale swam in the oceans. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Ecovation Heads the 2007 Top 100 List of Fastest-Growing Businesses Oct 26, 2007
Conifer Realty, LLCReal estate development and management. Hammer PackagingManufacturer of multi-color, high-quality labels and package decoration for the global beverage, horticulture, and household products industries. (WOKR13 Rochester)
California fires redraw nature Oct 26, 2007
Conservationists also bemoan the loss of older trees in the San Bernardino National Forest around Lake Arrowhead and ancient conifer forests on San Diego's Palomar Mountain. Spruce trees bearing large cones, centuries old oaks and white fir trees have been lost and may not regenerate. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Emerging artist put personal stroke on larger issues Oct 24, 2007
The nude Garden of Eden-like couple of "When We're Home Again" appear oblivious in front of a tall black conifer behind which looms a huge cloaked figure. Grossi skips pushing the high-profile buttons -- like war, poverty and racism -- and goes after the societal dispositions that enable such larger problems. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Container plantings bring life, contrast to fall landscapes Oct 23, 2007
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Growing More Rice With Less Water Oct 19, 2007
18, 2007) A new method to grow rice could save hundreds of billions of cubic metres of water while increasing food security, according to a study by World Wildlife Foundation. With a focus on India a country which faces a major water crisis, yet has the world s largest rice cultivated area the study found that the system of rice intensification (SRI) method has helped increase yields by over 30% four to five tonnes per hectare instead of three tonnes per hectare, while using 40% less water than... (Science Daily)
Quail is just 1 bird-hunting option Oct 18, 2007
For one thing, their habitat is restricted to elevations above 8,500 feet in mixed conifer and aspen forests ... They stay in the conifer forests instead, feeding mainly on needles. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Can the squirrel problem be solved? Oct 4, 2007
" Mr Minett said a study done at Bristol University had shown that killing grey squirrels was not an effective way to conserve their red cousins. Instead cultivating more conifer forest and establishing island refuges that could be defended against greys was a more realistic option. GREY FACTS First introduced in 1876 to Henbury, Cheshire It is illegal to release into the wild a captive grey Spreads pox virus that kills reds No concrete figure for population "We don't believe it is ethically... (BBC News -- UK)
Philly shows off its fall colors Sep 29, 2007
The Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) is a deciduous conifer that was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in the 1940s. Planted in the 1950s, these fast-growing "Living Fossils" as the arboretum calls them, now top out at 100 feet and in November were clothed in a feathery caramel-orange coat. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
It's easy being green Sep 21, 2007
" said Dean enthusiastically. For one thing, many conifers stay green throughout the year. "Even in the winter, when things are a little dull, you have something to look at," said Dean. Many bear cones and fruits that add the perfect touch to that Martha Stewart centerpiece. They can serve as a focal point in a garden or block unsightly views (like your sunbathing neighbors). They provide cover for birds in the winter. And they're incredibly hardy. Jones lost some of his conifers after a string... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Trees that Grow as Living Fossils Sep 15, 2007
This striking conifer tree s spring-green needles are so soft the word needle hardly applies ... Just in time, he learned they are deciduous, an unusual trait for a conifer ... The last survivor of a group of ancient conifers, the Ginkgo, also called maidenhair tree, showed up abundantly in fossils dating back 150 million years. (Suite101.com)
Biologists say over 40000 species at risk Sep 15, 2007
Among other Australian species to be reassessed are the plains-wanderer bird (endangered), Albert's lyrebird (vulnerable) and the conifer (Athrotaxis laxifolia) (vulnerable), which is found only in the western and central highlands of Tasmania. The status of Australia's granulated snail (Anoglypta launcestonensis) has been downgraded to near threatened, after estimates of its range of area of habitat were updated. (ABC Science Online)
Cheese spreads Sep 14, 2007
CONIFER PARK seeks to fi. We are currently hiring for Part Tim. (Albany Times Union)
Botanical: Yew pine Sep 13, 2007
Yew pineGeneral: The yew pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus) is a conifer, a densely foliated evergreen columnar that is used in informal landscapes ... Like other conifers, male yew pines bear catkins that shed pollen on the seeds of the female plants. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Study: Conifer emphasis detrimental to wildlife Sep 6, 2007
CORVALLIS - The traditional emphasis on dense, fast-growing, conifer-dominated forests in the Pacific Northwest raises questions about the health of dozens of animal species that depend on shrubs, herbs and broad-leaf trees, a new analysis by Oregon State University and the U.S. Geological Survey suggests. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented that require, in one way or another, the food or habitat provided by non-coniferous vegetation, and may be at increasing risk whenever... (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Refugia of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest could be the basis for its regeneration Sep 6, 2007
These tropical trees belong to the conifer family ... The multidisciplinary approach also showed that the expansion of tropical conifer populations never occurred during interglacial periods, in contrast to what usually happened in our temperate latitudes. (EurekAlert!)
Recognizing Northwest Conifers Sep 3, 2007
Northwest conifers may seem similar, but when you look closely at the needles and cones, it's easy to tell a pine from a fir or a hemlock from a redcedar. With their evergreen needles and characteristic cones, conifers can seem all the same ... The Western Hemlock is tall and stately, but its cones are among the smallest of the conifer tribe, measuring less than an inch. (Suite101.com)
Forest fires kill 27 in southern Greece Aug 25, 2007
CONIFER PARK seeks to fi. Park Pediatric Dental Practice seeks. (Albany Times Union)
Emphasis on conifer forests places multiple species at risk Aug 24, 2007
The traditional emphasis on dense, fast-growing, conifer-dominated forests in the Pacific Northwest raises questions about the health of dozens of animal species that depend on shrubs, herbs and broad-leaf trees, a new analysis by Oregon State University and the U.S. Geological Survey suggests. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented that require, in one way or another, the food or habitat provided by non-coniferous vegetation, and may be at increasing risk whenever forest management... (EurekAlert!)
Oregon Recreation Report Aug 23, 2007
Western gray squirrel are most likely to be found in mixed deciduous-conifer forests amid oak and maple trees and in filbert orchards ... Western gray squirrel are most likely to be found in mixed deciduous-conifer forests amid oak and maple trees and in filbert orchards ... During the early part of the archery season, hunters should find elk on the northerly slopes and in dense conifer stands. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Scientists Aim To Sequence And Catalog Conifer Genes For Future Biofuels Research Aug 22, 2007
Jeffrey Dean, professor of forest biotechnology in the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, is spearheading a project at the U.S. Department of Energy s Joint Genome Institute (JGI) that will greatly expand the gene catalog for pines and initiate the first gene discovery efforts in five other conifer families ... The wood from conifers will almost certainly be an important component of this nation s biomass energy strategy, Dean said, but despite extensive... (Science Daily)
Council to Hold Workshop on August 21 Aug 22, 2007
groups of plants to no more than 10 feet in diameter; remove juniper plants that reside within 10 feet of a structure or deck; limb up all evergreen conifer trees one-third of their height to a maximum of six feet from the ground; create a space between brush under evergreen conifer trees of three times the height of the brush to the lowest tree limbs; remove evergreen conifer trees eight inches or less in diameter that are located within 15 feet of another evergreen conifer tree; and store... (Big Bear Grizzly, CA)
Helping clear creek run clean Aug 16, 2007
Volunteers worked in the V-shaped valley, flanked by steep hillsides of mixed conifer and aspen trees at 10,000 feet. They lined the stream with boulders, planted wetland shrubs and native grasses, built buck and pole fence and placed bale erosion barriers to protect this newly reclaimed area. (Black Hills Pioneer, SD)
Whiteface works to keep thrush singing Aug 15, 2007
WILMINGTON -- On a beautiful July morning, Ted Blazer hiked through the conifer forest atop Lookout Mountain in Essex County. Among the trees hung colored ribbons that marked planned new ski trails at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. (Albany Times Union)
Ask the Agent Aug 3, 2007
Black bears are found in a variety of habitats from dry sage, pinyon-juniper environment of the western states to riparian areas, agricultural fields, swampy hardwoods, shrubby areas and conifer forests found in the east. A black bear's diet is primarily made up of grasses, herbs, fruits and mast. (Camdenton Lake Sun Leader, MO)
Edwards assails U.S. arms sales to Arabs Aug 1, 2007
CONIFER PARK a private r.. Department is seeking a Life Actuary. (Albany Times Union)
Ascent of dinosaurs more gradual than once thought Jul 20, 2007
The New Mexico site at the time these animals lived was a lush environment with a vast river system, flood plains and forests with towering large conifer trees. Free Newsletters. (Scientific American)
Sweeping away the broom Jul 19, 2007
When an area is logged, broom is ready and waiting to colonize the bare land and seriously hamper the re-establishment of conifer seedlings ... If you have creeks, plant moisture-loving plants such as red osier dogwood, wax myrtle, small conifers, crabapples and elderberry. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Greenland reveals its true colours Jul 9, 2007
"Back then, it was inhabited by a diverse array of conifer trees and insects.". Although it is not known exactly when the ancient forest died out, the researchers said it most likely existed between 450,000 and 800,000 years ago, perhaps even as recently as 130,000 years ago. (Globe and Mail)
Oldest DNA samples found on Greenland Jul 6, 2007
"We have shown for the first time that southern Greenland, which is hidden under 2km of ice, was once very different to the Greenland we see today. Back then, it was inhabited by a diverse array of conifer trees and insects," said Professor Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen, who led the research team. "This genetic material presents a biological environment which is completely different to today. We have found grain, pine, yew and alder. These correspond to the landscapes we find... (Independent)
Fossil DNA Proves Greenland Once Had Lush Forests; Ice Sheet Is Surprisingly Stable Jul 6, 2007
New Danish research has shown that it was covered in conifer forest and, like southern Sweden today, had a relatively mild climate. Eske Willerslev, a professor at Copenhagen University, has analysed the world's oldest DNA, preserved under the kilometre-thick icecap. (Science Daily)
Greenland really was green once Jul 6, 2007
Back then, it was inhabited by a diverse array of conifer trees and insects. Although it is not known exactly when the ancient forest died out, the researchers said it most likely existed between 450,000 and 800,000 years ago, although they could not rule out the possibility that it might have been around as recently as 130,000 years ago. (Globe and Mail)
Exciting products in pipeline Jul 2, 2007
Isle of Life and Isle of Aroma comprise 3-storey link houses, Isle of Palm will house the show village while Isle of Conifer features 3-storey link houses, semi-Ds and 4-storey villas. The remaining phases Isle of Discovery and Isle of Views are on the drawing board. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
What to do in Del Norte? Jun 29, 2007
The trail heads through redwoods and some mixed conifers ... Even if you don't spot a sasquatch or the telltale giant footprints, you're sure to enjoy the scenic drive and hike through the Coastal Range's mixed conifer forests. (Daily Triplicate)
American Robin: Backdoor Neighbor Jun 12, 2007
The natural nest habitat for a robin is a tree, preferably the protected branches of a conifer (robins often build their nests before the deciduous trees have leaves). However, like American settlers, the robin has become more civilized and prefers a well-groomed yard where he might choose a part of your house, a decorated pillar, an open porch, the support beams of your deck or gazebo are all prime locations to a robin. (Suite101.com)
Salvage Logging, Replanting Increased Biscuit Fire Severity Jun 12, 2007
"This is based on the assumption that removing dead trees reduces fuel loads and planting conifers hastens the return of fire resistant forests." ... However, in the aftermath of a wildfire, removal of large dead trees followed by planting conifer seedlings does not appear to lessen the risk of severe fires in the first 10-20 years, Thompson said ... This research was done with satellite data, government agency records and aerial photography, in the mixed-conifer, mixed-evergreen hardwood zones... (Science Daily)
Forest rejuvenating after 2002 blaze Jun 10, 2007
One sure sign of the next step, according to Zwisler: "We're just getting to the point right now where we're starting to see some conifer seedlings coming up.". . (Durango Herald)
Nine great gardens worth visiting this summer Jun 8, 2007
Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden, Des Moines, Iowa: See gardens of dwarf conifers, shade and rock garden plants and a cottage garden as they wend along stone pathways ... Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, Iowa: This 14-acre outdoor museum has labeled trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and annuals, a rose garden and collections of arborvitae and conifers ... Opened in 1998, the Quad City Botanical Center features a 6,444-square-foot tropical Sun Garden conservatory, the Scott County... (Quad-Cities Online)
Please, learn to contain yourself Jun 8, 2007
It may be a small "woody" plant (compact nandina, shrub rose, dwarf conifer of some sort) or an evergreen perennial such as artemisia, liriope or dwarf daylily. Any small landscape plant - often less expensive than a short-term flowering plant - will do. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Smithsonian scientists connect climate change, origins of agriculture in Mexico Jun 2, 2007
Pollen of Podocarpus, a conifer now found primarily at higher elevations, is common in the oldest strata of sediment cores taken from lakes and a swamp in the central Balsas watershed. Along with pollen from grasses and other dryland plants, the Podocarpus indicates the environment encountered by humans at the end of the last ice age (14,000-10,000 B.P.) was drier and 4 or 5 degrees Centigrade cooler than it is today. (EurekAlert!)
Coping with critters - deer, raccoon, rabbits May 11, 2007
Since I first wrote an article back in 2002 on critters, I have added raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn and small conifer seedlings to this list. They tend not to eat lilac, juniper, spruce, spirea, barberry, potentilla, peony and daffodil. (Lindstrom Chisago County Press, MN)
What a Find! May 6, 2007
By Corey Binns North America's oldest conifer tree and some ancient scorpion parts are among the fossil treasures found in a newly discovered cave in Illinois ... Needles of a , 2 million years older than any conifer previously described. (Fox News)
Memorial tree honors late Saddler's Woods steward May 4, 2007
The memorial tree, a dawn redrood, is a deciduous conifer that will grow to 80 to 100 feet in height. It is planted on the lawn in front of the school next to a plaque placed by Hefty's parents, Bob and Jean Hefty of Voorhees. (Haddon Herald, NJ)
Scientists ID Godzilla fungi May 1, 2007
Known as Prototaxites, the giant fungus originally was thought to be a conifer. Then some believed it was a lichen, or various types of algae. (CNN -- Science)
