How does what I do in my yard, on my land and in my garden affect what plants invade our forests and grasslands? What has happened on the land where you live (its history of use), and what you plant …
Seasonal Greening in U.S. Forests, Fields, and Urban Areas
Using the assessment tool ForWarn, land managers can monitor the growth and development of vegetation that signals winter’s end and the awakening of a new growing season. Researchers have devised a way to more precisely characterize the beginning of …
Mimosa – Albizia julibrissin
Written by D.J. Moorhead and G.K. Douce for Forest Encyclopedia Network
A mimosa infestation favors disturbed sites, where they can grow quickly and prevent native plant establishment.
Image credits: forestryimages.org.
Mimosa, also known as silk tree, is a small deciduous …
Urban Forestry & Energy Conservation Bibliography
UFEC Reference List
Akbari, H., Taha, H. 1992. The Impact of Trees and White Surfaces on Residential Heating and Cooling Energy Use in Four Canadian Cities. Energy, 17(2), 141-149.
Abstract: We have investigated the potential of using vegetation …
Urban Forest Strike Teams
The UFST (Urban Forest Strike Team) project, a disaster response and recovery effort initiated by the Urban & Community Forestry programs in Virginia and North Carolina in 2007, and supported by the Southern Group of State Foresters (USDA FS Region …
Windbreaks for Energy Conservation
Effective use of trees and shrubs as a windbreak and area screen.
People go to great lengths to conserve energy in this era of tight budgets and environmental awareness. However, many do not realize that the simple act of planting …
Tree Planting for Lower Power Bills
Whether it is winter or summer, trees can help you save energy at home.
Shade for Savings
Did you know that only 17% shade over your house during the day translates to a savings of 10 dollars a month on …
Christmas Trees: Pros and Cons of Live or Artificial Trees
Trees ready for Christmas at a tree farm in North Carolina.
Until their time comes to grace homes with ornaments and shade presents, a natural, or live, Christmas tree will help purify groundwater, stabilize the soil, recycle air, and serve …
Using Geospatial Tools to Assess Urban Tree Canopy
Classified tree canopy layer in the Virginia Urban Tree Canopy Mapper – http://www.utcmapper.frec.vt.edu
Urban forests can be defined as the sum of all woody and associated vegetation in and around dense human settlements (Miller 1997). The people living in and …
How can I find out the direction of prevailing winds for summer and winter in my area?
The United Stated Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has a tool for determining local patterns of prevailing winds: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/climate/windrose.html. Click on the link for ‘Wind Rose Plots.’ Next, select your state, then select the .gif file for …