The Threat from the Asian Long Horned Beetle

It is not just people that immigrate to America from other parts of the world. Pests from other countries love to make their way to our shores. Some of these pests can pose a huge threat to your trees and your property value. A growing threat to trees in the Northeast is the Asian Long Horned Beetle. This pest was first reported in New York City in 1996 but has now spread as far north as Worchester, Massachusetts, and in parts of Chicago. If it keeps spreading this menace could be found all over the Midwest and Northeast in a few years. The Asian Long Horned Beetle is native to China, and it probably came to the US with imported wood. This pest kills trees by boring into them and laying eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs and bore tunnels through the trees which kill them. According to experts at the US Forest Service and State Universities the beetle likes to infest these species of trees: • Maple • Box Elder • Horsechestnut • Willow • Elm • Birch • Sycamore Since these are popular ornamental trees on residential properties the Asian Long Horned Beetle can be a huge threat to property values. Property owners in urban areas need to be on the look out for it. How to Stop Pests like the Asian Long Horned Beetle from Killing Your Trees The best way to stop pests like the Asian Long Horned Beetle is to employ a professional tree service. Regular inspection by professionals is the best way to detect pests before they kill your trees. The professionals can take the proper action needed to save trees including spraying and proper pruning. If trees are not properly inspected for pests by professional arborists, it is entirely possible that they will have to removed. Tree removal is an expensive process that will diminish your property’s value. You can protect your trees with professional inspection. Unfortunately the Asian Long Horned Beetle is not the only pest out there. There are now hundreds of tree-killing pests operating in the United States. It is only a matter of time before one of them targets your property. You can protect your trees by employing a professional tree service.

The White House is Home to a Long Line of Serious Gardeners and Tree Lovers

In an article written by Melanie Choukas-Bradley, she describes the series of Presidents and First Ladies who have contributed to the beauty and essence of the national park known as President’s Park. This park, which is located on the grounds of the White House, has been considered a national park since 1933. The current collection of trees at the White House is comprised of 37 official commemorative tree plantings by presidents and first ladies. The collection of commemorative trees is mixed in with hundreds of other trees within the 18 fenced acres of the White House grounds. For many years it has been a tradition for presidents and their first ladies to add to President’s Park. Many of these additions were made to commemorate people or events, and others were planted out of shear appreciation for trees and gardens.

Thomas Jefferson was considered a passionate and highly accomplished horticulturist. According to White House Historical Association author Dr. William Seale, “The glory of the White House grounds would one day be its trees, and although none of Jefferson’s is known to survive, he started the tradition.” A quote from Jefferson states, “I wish I was a despot that I might save the noble, the beautiful trees that are daily falling sacrifices to the cupidity of their owners, or the necessity of the poor…The unnecessary felling of a tree, perhaps the growth of centuries, seems to me a crime little short of murder; it pains me to an unspeakable degree.”

In 1913 the first wife of Woodrow Wilson chose the site for America’s most historic garden when she planted roses outside of her husband’s West Wing office. However, John F. Kennedy was the one who inaugurated the modern-day Rose Garden and took a great interest in its growth. According to Wolf Von Eckardt, Washington Post architecture critic at the time, “He would always walk through it on his way to his office and back for lunch or dinner. …As his garden grew, so did his knowledge of its plants and wonders…It was the only thing he ever bragged about.” In 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy described the Rose Garden as the “brightest spot in the somber surroundings of the last few days.” During Johnson’s administration, First Lady Bird Johnson chose to honor Jacqueline Kennedy by dedicating to her the garden just opposite the Rose Garden.

When Laura Bush was asked which of the White House trees was her favorite she replied, “The most magnificent is the Andrew Jackson magnolia.” This tree, which is actually two trees growing very closely together, is the oldest commemorative presidential tree at the White House. Andrew Jackson is said to have brought these trees from his home near Nashville and planted them at the White House as a way to remember his late wife Rachel.

Here is a list of the 41 trees and gardens planted by presidents and first ladies:


1. Purple Beech - George Bush (1991)
2. White Dogwood - Bill and Hillary Clinton (1996)
3. White Dogwood - Bill and Hillary Clinton (1995)
4. Patmore Ash - George Bush (1989)
5. Northern Red Oak - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1959)
6. Eastern Redbud - George Bush (1990)
7. Little-Leafed Linden - George Bush & Queen Elizabeth II (1991)
8. Willow Oak - Ronald Reagan (1988)
9. Silver Linden - George W. and Laura Bush (2008)
10. Jacqueline Kennedy Garden 1965
11. Southern Magnolia (2) - Andrew Jackson (1830)
12. Saucer Magnolia (4) - John F. Kennedy (1962)
13. Rose Garden (1913)
14. Willow Oak - Lyndon B. Johnson (1964)
15. Little-Leafed Linden - Bill Clinton (1993)
16. Pin Oak - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1958)
17. Little-Leafed Linden - George W. and Laura Bush (2003)
18. White Oak - Herbert Hoover (1931)
19. Cedar of Lebanon - Jimmy Carter (1978)
20. Cutleaf Silver Maple - George W. and Laura Bush (2001)
21. White Dogwood (3) - Hillary Rodham Clinton (1994)
22. Children’s Garden (1969)
23. American Elm - Bill and Hillary Clinton (1993)
24. Japanese Maple - Frances Folsom Cleveland (1893)
25. White House Kitchen Garden (2009)
26. Japanese Maple - Rosalyn Carter (1978)
27. Willow Oak - Bill and Hillary Clinton (1993)
28.White Oak - Herbert Hoover (1931)
29. American Elm - John Q. Adams (1826, replaced B.Bush1991)
30. Southern Magnolia - Franklin D. Roosevelt (1942)
31. Southern Magnolia - Warren G. Harding (1922 replaced 1947)
32. White Oak - Franklin D. Roosevelt (1935)
33. Little-Leafed Linden - Barack Obama (2009)
34. Red Maple - Jimmy Carter (1977)
35. White Saucer Magnolia - Nancy Reagan (1982)
36. English and American Boxwood* - Harry S. Truman (1952)
37. Jefferson (American) Elm - George W. and Laura Bush (2006)
38. American Elm - Betty Ford (1975)
39. Fern Leaf Beech - Lady Bird Johnson (1968)
40. Fern Leaf Beech - Patricia Nixon (1972, replaced 2005)
41. Sugar Maple - Ronald Reagan (1984)

Choosing the Right Maple Tree Species

A red maple in spring

Maple trees are a wildly popular and prolific species, treasured by sightseers and nature enthusiasts everywhere. Those who grew up in the Midwest can remember the fun seed pods that turn into “helicopters” when thrown into the air - just one of the few free pleasures left to youth. But not every maple is created equal; the decision of which maple species to plant at home takes time and research to make.

Unique Maple Benefits

Depending on the desired location and traits, some maples serve several purposes quite well. Striped maple or moosewood stands up to shade well, growing only up to about 33 tall – making this the perfect species of tree to grow under power lines in certain cases with careful tree maintenance. Red maples make a great ornamental tree, especially as the blazing fall colors begin to develop. These native beauties can grow up to 75 feet tall and provide ample shade.

Avoid Undesirable Traits

Sometimes it can be difficult to spot the weakness of a tree for all the benefits and beauty the same species may contain. For example, the striped maple species mentioned above has plenty of distinguishing features: one of which is soft bark that can buckle under ice or strain. While this may be fine in temperate climates, it certainly will not do well in others. The Norway maple is one species that should be avoided in many areas despite the good traits: these maples are one of many invasive species that are difficult to contain once planted!

How can a landowner ensure they are planting a beneficial species of maple tree, instead of one that could be potentially harmful? Consulting with a certified arborist or tree service professional can take some of the guesswork out of tree planting – and the effort may save precious time and money in the future!

Beautiful Winter Treescapes and Scenic Drives

Sure, the holidays are over, but why end the winter fun now? It’s still January, and there are plenty of wonderful winter destinations that make for an exciting family adventure. Scenic drives are one of the most popular cold-weather activities because of the fact that the grandeur of the outdoors may be enjoyed from the warm comfort of a vehicle. The only thing more fascinating than lush greenery is miles and miles of snow topped trees, a commodity which none of the following destinations are lacking!

Zion Park Scenic Byway – Utah

This byway consists of the main highway through the famous Zion National Park. Many people consider Utah to be a place full of jutting canyons and desert landscapes, but the upper elevations actually get more than one hundred inches of snow per year! Besides the breathtaking winter photography opportunities provided by trees that keep their leaves year-round, the park is a haven for wildlife like eagles and majestic elk.

Payette River Scenic Byway – Idaho

Payette River Scenic Byway takes winter sightseers on an icy and exciting drive along the river from Boise to McCall. Those who would like to take their adventures to the next level will find hundreds of miles of snowmobile and ski trails. Beginning in sage-covered foothills of Boise, visitors will be treated to sights of pines, tamaracks, aspen trees, and wild birds as the road gains more than 2,000 feet of elevation before reaching the cozy town of McCall. 

General’s Highway – California

Although Sequoia and King’s Canyon national parks see most of their 1.5 million visitors in the summer and spring, the winter remains one of the most intriguing times to capture the beauty of General Sherman, the world’s largest tree, in all the glory of quiet and gentle snow. The other giant sequoias are just as magnificent and humbling to behold. It is simply unfair to categorize California as a summer destination when there is so much to check out in the cooler months as well.

Always call ahead of time to make sure that no fallen trees or icy conditions will delay your trip through any of these spectacular scenic drives. Take the same safety cautions you would when driving in any other inclement conditions. Many parks will suggest bringing traction devices, flashlights, blankets, and other emergency provisions. Remember- the best way to get the most out of a scenic byway or treescape adventure is to prepare for it!