Alabama Gardens
RE-LEAF RELIEF
You can join the effort to replant trees lost in the April tornadoes By Katie Jackson October is usually a prime time for fall color throughout Alabama, but for many communities hit by last April’s tornadoes, there will be fewer leaves to turn red, yellow and orange or even rake because there are fewer – and, in some places, no – trees left standing. As residents of storm-ravaged areas work to rebuild and recover, several groups are trying to help these communities literally reestablish roots by replacing trees felled and blown away in the winds. One such effort is the Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign, a collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation and Alabama Forestry Commission. Through this campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will supply native trees selected to thrive in the affected areas, namely northern red oak, willow oak, Shumard oak, black gum and flowering dogwood. The number of trees available will be based on donations made to the campaign. Anyone wishing to help with this effort can make a donation at www.arborday.org/ alabama. The Forestry Commission’s current role is to assess and
22
| OCTOBER 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
prioritize communities that were affected by the tornadoes, especially those cities and towns that were directly in the path of or within a half-mile from the storms. Once those communities are identified the commission will contact local leaders to gauge their level of interest in receiving and distributing trees, which the commission will then make available for planting in February 2012, a prime time for tree planting in Alabama. A similar project called Canopy by Design is underway through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. This grant-funded project targets four hard-hit counties – Cullman, Marshall, DeKalb and Limestone – and will help train volunteer “tree stewards” to plant
Continued on Page 25
Katie Jackson is associate editor for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Contact her at csmith@acesag.auburn.edu
Garden tips for
October
3 Apply compost to gardens and turn compost piles. 3 Keep bird feeders and birdbaths filled to attract migrating and local birds. 3 Plant trees and shrubs. 3 Test soil and add amendments as needed. 3 Plant cool-season annuals. 3 Dry and save seed. 3 Bring in houseplants that have been living outside all summer. 3 Take cuttings of tender perennials. 3 Harvest and dry or freeze herbs for winter use. 3 Clean and store empty pots, garden tools and equipment for the winter. 3 Visit the Backyard Wisdom blog at www. backyardwisdom.info for regular news and ideas all year long.d