Casey Trees News July 2011

In this issue...2 New Chief Operating Officer Get to know Marty O’Brien.

3 Letter from the Executive Director4 Water By-Cycle Gets New Look5 July Is Summer Stay-cation! Downloadable tree walks and summer camps.

6 Summer Tree Spots Blog Series Visit family-friendly tree destinations in all 8 Wards.

8 Programs & Classes9 Kids Corner

Casey Trees in the NewsCasey Trees has received some recent media coverage that we would like to share with you.

“For Some In D.C., Greening Infrastructure Proves Frustrating” - WAMU 88.5, June 21, 2011Story featured the bioretention planter at Casey Trees’ headquarters.

“Trees And People Getting Watered This Summer “ - DC.curbed.com, June 7, 2011Blog post on High School Summer Crew.

theleaflet

RiverSmart Homes sees success in third season, updates tree list for fall plantings

Inventory Your TreesDo you want to know the state of the tree canopy in your community? Casey Trees’ Trees Count inventory program can help assess the trees on your block, school campus, building complex or community center.

A tree inventory is a good way to determine whether your community could use more tree coverage, making you a good candidate to apply for a spot on the Community Tree Planting schedule. Tree inventories can occur year round.

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Casey Trees’ RiverSmart Homes Shade Tree (RSH) program

completed yet another successful season, with the tree planting crew adding 290 trees on 148 properties across the District.

Since February 2010, Casey Trees staff have planted 950 shade trees through RSH — 290 were planted this spring. The program strives to plant shade trees on private property to help mitigate stormwater runoff, the primary cause of pollution in D.C.’s streams and rivers. To encourage diversity of species and increase the number of large shade trees planted, the types of trees available through the program is being revised.

Newly available for the fall are the shagbark hickory, American hornbeam, honeylocust and basswood. Casey Trees will no longer plant river birch, eastern

redbud, serviceberry and red maple — the most-planted trees of previous planting seasons — ensuring the District’s future canopy is comprised of a diverse range of tree species and keeping it healthy and viable for the long term.

Additionally, the number of small trees — trees that range from 20 to 50 feet in height at maturity — that can be planted on a single property will be limited to include a greater number of medium and large trees.

RSH trees available this fall:

• American hornbeam, • Blackgum,• Yellowwood, • Southern magnolia,• Eastern redcedar, • American holly,• White pine, • American basswood,• Honey locust, • Shagbark hickory,• Sweetgum, • Tuliptree, • Sycamore,• Oak (red, white, willow, pin, swamp white and overcup species available)

2 July 2011 | theleaflet

Casey Trees introduces Marty O'Brien as new COOCasey Trees Staff Spotlight

active in his Logan Circle community and in his free time can be found at Washington Nationals games or at some of D.C.’s live music and theater venues.

It is that strong community spirit that makes him excited to be part of Casey Trees. Casey Trees is a national model of urban forestry programming, he says, and he will

June 16 was Marty O’Brien’s first day as Chief Operating Officer

at Casey Trees, where he oversees day-to-day operations and monitors the organization’s internal processes to help Casey Trees fulfill its mission.

For most of his career, Marty has focused on national issues and programs, but as he continued to visit dynamic local nonprofits around the country, the idea of “going local” became much more appealing.

“The longer I worked nationally, the more I realized that most change happens much closer to the ground,” he said, “in people’s homes and communities.”

Prior to joining Casey Trees, Marty served in multiple positions over 17 years at The Corps Network — the association for the nation’s service and conservation corps programs — ultimately serving as its Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Operations.

A D.C. resident for 22 years, Marty is

be able to work locally with national reach, which makes his job “the best of both worlds.”

“Most people I have told about my new position just light up when I mention Casey Trees and the work that we do,” he said. “They think I have found a ‘cool job.’ I think so too.”

Karima Christmas of the Washington Mystics helps High School Summer Crew member Grace Pooley water trees at Michigan Park in Ward 5 on Friday, June 24. As part of the WNBA’s Green Week, Christmas and teammate Victoria Dunlap watered more than 40 trees.

theleaflet | July 2011 3

Mark BuscainoExecutive Director

Our mantra at Casey Trees is Connecting People to Trees and our educational activities are a cornerstone of doing just that. As with any subject, teaching kids early about the benefits of the urban forest is important. This year alone, Casey Trees has implemented and expanded youth programs and set tree-planting records on school campuses. We think the accomplishments of 2011 will help make the connection to trees stronger.

One key hands-on method we use to connect youth to trees is through our school planting program. Students, along with Casey Trees staff, Citizen Foresters, teachers and parents planted more than 400 trees at 21 public, private and charter schools — Casey Trees records — during this year’s spring Community Tree Planting (CTP) season. More than 10 applied for the fall 2011 season. Through this program, students learn about the importance of trees by planting them on their school grounds, participating in a Casey Trees staff-led “Tree Rally’ and learning how to maintain trees on campus.

You can apply for a tree planting at your school through our CTP program.

Now in its 10th year, our High School Summer Crew jobs program is putting 10 students to work, maintaining a clear focus on three goals: keep Casey Trees’ newly planted trees alive, learn about urban environmental careers and gain fundamental job experience. We must be doing something right. The past two years we have received more than 300 applications. In years past, Summer Crew members have learned how to propagate and plant elm trees; why pruning a tree when it is young can save money in the long term; how low-impact development techniques can transform our urban centers from gray to green; why getting to work on time and ready to do your job is critical to long-term success in any organization, and much more.

This summer we are proud to launch a new initiative called Arbor Kids on the Go, an extension of our successful Arbor Kids online activity center. Through the program, Casey Trees staff travel to schools, recreation centers, boys and girls

clubs and similar venues to engage youth ages 3 to 15 in fun outdoor, tree-related activities. Kids will participate in tree identification walks, scavenger hunts, leaf and bark rubbings and others. The program runs from June 28 to August 17 and more than 1,200 students from more than 20 groups across the District are registered to participate — not a bad start for a pilot program!

Connecting People to Trees — through this simple statement we work to achieve our mission of restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the nation’s capital. Though we still have six months left in 2011, this year has proved to be successful for Casey Trees’ youth educational programs. The connection is being made early and hopefully the imprint will last a lifetime.

Yours in trees,

Mark BuscainoExecutive Director

Casey Trees plants roots in children’s lives

4 July 2011 | theleaflet

Water By-Cycle program expands its fleet, gets new look

Do you need to know more about helping your trees make it through D.C.’s hot, dry summers? If so, join us for this month’s episode of Tree Talk Thursdays, Casey Trees’ online chat forum, featuring Urban Forestry Instructor Shawn Walker of Casey Trees and Head Arborist John Thomas of the Urban Forestry Administration.

Time: 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Pre-register and receive a reminder for the session. Email questions in advance to treedc@caseytrees.org or submit them during the chat session.

July 14Summer Tree Care:

A Tree SurvivAl Guide

On June 21, six summer staff members mounted their bikes

to kick off this year’s Water By-Cycle (WBC) program. Before launching the program into its third year of operation, Casey Trees made three exciting improvements.

The WBC program sends crew chiefs and high school students out on bikes to water District trees in areas that are difficult to access by truck. It is the nation’s first and only bicycle-powered tree care program.

Previously, the High School Summer Crew program has employed just one WBC team. This year, Casey Trees increased the fleet to two. Each team is made up of one adult crew chief and two summer crew members. The crew chiefs transport the necessary tools, safety cones, and tree literature in a trailer hitched to their bikes, while the Summer Crew members travel alongside to the tree care site.

“We are excited and proud to be expanding this part of our operations and capacity without expanding our carbon foot print,” said Jim Woodworth, director of tree planting. “This is the ultimate green job; and our trees as well as our crew will be in great shape this summer.”

Individuals can track the WBC for the first time. Each Monday from June 27 to August 12, you can check Casey Trees’ Facebook account for where in the city the crews will be watering.

Both trailers are also sporting new looks, with sturdier material and a new banner design. Once you track the fleets on Facebook, it will not be hard to spot the bright blue trailers en route to their tree care sites.

Remember to practice 25 to Stay Alive this summer. Give your trees the recommended 25 gallons of water per tree per week to survive.

Check the Casey Trees website every Monday for a watering alert and sign the 25 to Stay Alive pledge to receive a rain gauge.

25 to Stay Alive

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This month, Casey Trees is launching a new resource to further connect District residents to the urban forest. Downloadable tree walks are now available online for people to reference, print and use as tree guides to two beautiful locations in D.C.: The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.

Each downloadable tree walk contains a map with numbered trees, which reference the scientific name, common name and a short description of each species. Casey Trees’ Education Department

visited each site to observe the trees and craft a user-friendly map that highlights the area’s most noteworthy trees.

While Casey Trees still offers staff-led tree walks, the new downloadable tree walks allow residents to satisfy their curiosity and learn about District trees on their own time.

The downloadable tree walks will be an expanding resource. Casey Trees staff are continuing to determine locations, map them out and produce the guides. New walks will be continually added to the website.

SUMMERSTAY-CATION

CASEY TREES’

JULY 2011Two new self-guided tree walks now available to download online

Casey Trees launches new youth outreach summer programCasey Trees’ Arbor Kids on the Go is a traveling urban forestry program that provides educational, outdoor experiences to District youth ages 3 to 15.

From June 28 until August 17, two staff from Casey Trees’ Education Department will visit registered summer youth programs across the District to lead students in interactive, hands-on activities that emphasize the importance of trees and urban forests.

“The goal of Arbor Kids on the Go is to get children outside to learn about trees,” said Sue Erhardt, director of education at Casey Trees. “We are hoping these Arbor Kids grow up to value and protect trees in their communities, town, nation and the world.”

Instructor-led activities include tree identification walks, leaf and bark rubbings and scavenger hunts. Each activity lasts approximately one hour and is hosted outdoors on site or at a nearby available open space. Groups must include 20 to 30 youth and an adult chaperone for every 10 children. Larger groups can register for multiple sessions.

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Need ideas for a Saturday afternoon picnic or a new route for those brisk, early morning jogs? Every other Thursday this summer, Casey Trees will feature a different D.C. locale on its blog, Tree Speak, as a suggestion for where to find some great trees.

D.C.’s Summer Tree Spots

NATIONAL ZOOWARD ONEThe Smithsonian National Zoological Park is best known as a home to animals, but it also boasts an impressive, diverse collection of trees. Species such as Himalayan pine, Turkish hazel, green and white ash, yellowwood and golden catalpa can be found at the Zoo, which is free to the public and open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer.

3001 Connecticut Avenue NW

ROCK CREEK PARKWARDS THREE & FOURWith more than four square miles of urban forest, Rock Creek is the largest park in D.C. Notable species found in the park are tulip, white ash, American beech and hickory, but this is just a small taste of what Rock Creek holds. Casey Trees has hosted a number of tree walks in Rock Creek Park in the past.

Military and Glover Roads NW

DUMBARTON OAKSWARD TWOOverlooking the city in Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks boasts some exotic tree variants, like Kobus magnolias, double cherry-plums and various Japanese cherry trees. During the summer months

the gardens are open daily 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., except Mondays. Admission is $5 to $8.

31st and R Streets NW.

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CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERYWARD SIXA cemetery may not be one’s initial, ideal outdoor destination, but Congressional Cemetery is a historic spot in Capitol Hill friendly to humans and dogs, alike

(Note: Membership is required to walk dogs). Casey Trees added 28 trees to the cemetery’s canopy in March.

18th Street and Potomac Avenue SE

FREDERICK DOUGLASS HOUSEWARD EIGHTLocated atop a hill in Southeast D.C., overlooking the City to the west, the Frederick Douglass House is also home to a variety of trees. Tulip, white ash, red cedar, black locust, and a white oak

that dates to the time of Douglass all populate the site. The grounds — where Casey Trees led a tree walk in April, 2010 — are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and free to the public.

1411 W Street SE

LINCOLN COTTAGEWARD FIVEPresident Lincoln’s summer retreat — only recently reopened to the public — is a historical site surrounded by a number of beautiful trees. Ginkgos, American hollies and southern magnolias are just a few of its arboreal offerings. Last April, the iconic President’s residence was the location of a Casey Trees-hosted tree walk. Summer hours

are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

3700 North Capitol Street NW

FORT DUPONT PARKWARD SEVENThis historic park — formerly home to a Civil War-era fort — is great for summertime family fun. Its tree canopy includes silver maples, black locusts and southern chestnuts. During the spring 2006 CTP season, a number of trees were planted at the Randle Circle entrance to the park.

Randle Circle at Minnesota, Massachusetts and Branch Avenues SE

8 July 2011 | theleaflet

Summer Programs and classesSummer school may bring a bitter taste to your mouth, but Casey Trees’ summer classes offer an interesting mix of urban forestry knowledge and fun hands-on learning. Visit Casey Trees' Calendar of Events webpage to sign up for the following events. All programs and classes are free unless otherwise noted. Advance registration is required for all events and space is limited.

Tudor PlaceSuzanne Bouchard, Director of Gardens and Grounds, Tudor PlaceSat., July 23, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.1644 31st St. NW

Tour the historic Tudor Place grounds, which include a 135-year-old pecan tree, two 18th-century white oaks and a tulip poplar designated The Millennium Tree.

Tree Walks

Pruning Events

Classes

Attention Citizen Foresters! There are still three pruning events you can attend to help develop your pruning skills. Attend 3 out of 4 events and receive a free set of pruners! NOTE: This event is for Citizen Foresters only and online registration is not available. If interested, email Shawn Walker or call 202.828.4132.

Lafayette Elementary School Casey Trees StaffSat., Aug. 20, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Patterson St. & 33rd St. NW Meet at ball field

Simon Elementary SchoolCasey Trees StaffSat., July 9, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Wayne Pl. & 4th St. SE Meet at ball field

Massachusetts Avenue Memorial GardenCasey Trees StaffSat., Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Fulton St. & 35th St. NW Meet at park by the intersection

*Citizen Forester-qualifying course

Stand Up For Trees* Casey Trees StaffSat., Aug. 27, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Casey Trees Headquarters3030 12th St. NE

Learn what advocacy tools are available through the District’s municipal services, hear success stories and receive advice from community leaders.

Trees 201: ID and Selection Casey Trees StaffSat., July 16, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Casey Trees Headquarters3030 12th St. NE

Get to know the year-round characteristics of the District’s trees. Classroom and field sessions will be combined and there will be a prepatory assignment. Registration closes on July 12. Trees 201 is more suited for current Citizen Foresters, Community Tree Planting Project Organizers and others interested in tree ID.

FREEALL CLASSES ARE

Tree Planting* Casey Trees StaffSat., Oct. 1, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.Location TBD

Learn how to select and prepare a tree planting site, choose appropriate species and properly plant a tree to ensure its survival.

A field component follows.

TREE WALK

IS FULL

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Kids Corner

Finding yourself at home this summer with nothing to do? Taking stock of the trees in your yard is a good way to get outside and have fun learning about trees. Follow the instructions below to locate the trees in your yard, identify them using the Tree ID Guide, then add them to the Casey Trees Map. Visit the Casey Trees Arbor Kids page for more downloadable activities.

my t rees :Do-it-yourself, at-home Tree Inventory

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Healthy tree

Sketch the outline of your yard on a piece of paper. Add your house or apartment building and any other built structures such as a garage or shed.

Using the following symbols, mark the location of all the trees in your yard and immediately in front of your house or apartment building.

Identify the trees you have marked on your map using our Tree Id Guide and add the names to your map.

Use your map to add the trees at and near your home to the Casey Trees Map. You can find the map at www.caseytrees.org/geographic.

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