The Leaflet — July 2014

theleaflet | July 2014 1

theleaflet JULY 2014

Warmth & Care Discover what we’re protecting this summer

2 July 2014 | theleaflet

CASEY TREES NEWS IN BRIEF

CASEY TREES NEWS

NEW FACES APPEAR AT CASEY TREES | As Casey Trees continues to grow, we are proud to

announce to the addition of two new members to our

exceptional staff.

Suraj Sazawal is the new Advocacy Associate who will

support the Planning and Design Department in taking

the Tree Advocate program to new heights in addition

to having a hand in the many aspects of our advocacy

efforts. Suraj holds a Masters of Public Policy from

George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts from

the University of Virginia. He comes to Casey Trees

from a research and communications role with the

Charity and Security Network.

Joining the administrative team, DaKisha Johnson is

Casey Trees’ new Office Assistant and Bookkeeper.

Holding an Associate of Science in Business

On June 27, 10 Washington, D.C.-area high school students — three veterans and seven newcomers — were chosen to partake in the annual High School Summer Crew jobs program. After passing an interview round, the students completed field tryouts on their way to becoming the chosen few to water, weed, mulch and track the condition of Casey Trees-planted trees across the District.

Since 2002, Summer Crew members have served as caretakers for the District’s newly planted trees. In 2014,

After competitive tryouts, area students selected for latest High School Summer Crew

Administration from Johnson & Wales University and

currently pursuring her Bachelor’s Degree in Business

Management from the University of Maryland, DaKisha

comes to Casey Trees with over 7 years of experience

as a government contractor for Department of Defense

military personnel.

NEW TREE PESTS AND DISEASE RESOURCE LAUNCHES | The Tree Pests and Diseases guide joins our Tree Species page as another new resource to help you

protect your trees. The page works like a field guide,

outlining some of the main local and regional threats

to trees. Each tree pest or disease entry has photos,

identification details, history and desired planting

condition. Learn more about key threats to our region

including Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer.

A’lshah Bakayoko, Rockville

Taijuan Carter, D.C.

Brandi Clarke, D.C.

Briana Bogan, D.C.

Anthony Minnah, Montgomery Village, MD

Ian Goudy, D.C.

Donté Branch, D.C.

Summer Crew AlumniRobert Page, Bethesda

Marquel Lewis, D.C.

Ameenah Johnson, D.C.

the high school students hope to water around 6,000 trees in just six weeks.

The crew will rotate between joining Casey Trees staff in trucks carrying 500-gallon water bladders and 300-gallon pump tanks, transporting water to Casey Trees planting sites and filing up watering bags along the way and the Water By-Cycle fleet, who reach trees using street bikes.

Water By-Cycle, the nation’s first bicycled-powered tree watering program, focuses on neighborhoods with limited street parking. The bikes are attached to custom-built trailers carrying hoses that connect to city hydrants, with the permission of DC Water.

2014 HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CREW

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NOMA GREEN SPACE COULD RESEMBLE TREE FILLED AVENUE | One of the most

prominent places for development and revitalization

in Washington, D.C. has been in “NoMa,” just around

the corner from the H Street NE corridor. Amidst

new housing, grocery stores and bike lanes comes a

new proposal that would offer something more than

commercial real estate space.

The tentative plan would create a green space resembling a path lasting several blocks and

would be a walkable corridor and a connecting point

for the neighborhood. The meander path is just one

of several proposals for the creation of green space

being considered by the NoMA Business Improvement

District and faces many challenges over property

ownership and long term development.

AMBITIOUS PLAN AIMS TO PLANT BILLIONS OF TREES IN INDIA | In a campaign aimed at tackling two critical problems — youth

unemployment and environmental degradation —the

Rural Development Ministry of India announced a

plan to plant up to two billion trees along the country’s 62,000 miles of highways. Planting trees

along such vast stretches of land could employ up

to 300,000 young people, especially within the 15

to 25 age bracket. These planting ambitions come

in the middle of grander efforts for India to clean up

its polluted waterways and improve upon ongoing

development.

IT’S BANANAS! SHAKE SHACK PARTNERS WITH CASEY TREES | New York-based Shake

Shack has expanded to D.C.’s Union Station, and

the newest location is partnering with Casey Trees

to promote, preserve and protect the District’s tree

canopy. With every Beaux Arts Banana concrete

purchase, Shake Shack will donate 5 percent of the

sales to Casey Trees. Shack Shack team members

will also be volunteering at Casey Trees tree care and

planting events throughout the year.

IN THIS ISSUE...

FOR THE LOVE OF LINDEN ...................................................................................................................... 4-5

CASEY TREES BRANCHES OUT............................................................................................................... 6-7

SPOTLIGHT: KELSEY DESMOND REACHES OUT TO D.C.’S KIDS ........................................................... 8

TECHNOLOGY TAKES SUMMER CREW DATA COLLECTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL ............................... 9

JULY AND AUGUST EVENTS, CLASSES AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ................................ 10-11

ARBOR KIDS: BEE TREES!......................................................................................................................... 12

URBAN FORESTRY NEWS

4 July 2014 | theleaflet

By Casey Manning, Communications & Marketing Associate and Marty Frye, Arborist | In 1974, Iris Garrelfs moved from a small town in northern Germany to D.C. to work as a sound engineer for a German radio and television station. 40 years later, she still lives in the same unit in The Towers, then an apartment complex but now a condominium, near the National Cathedral, with no plans of vacating her adopted home.

Iris first learned about Casey Trees through a lecture series at the

Smithsonian National Zoo, and was impressed when the Casey Trees

arborist in charge of the RiverSmart Homes Shade Tree Program, answered her phone call.

“I couldn’t believe it. And so he said, ‘Well you have to talk to

the Department of Environment.’ And again a human voice answered and I asked, ‘Do you know about the tree planting?’ And he said, ‘No, but I’ll connect you.’ And someone answered and said, ‘Yes, when do you want me to come over?’ I couldn’t believe it.”

The RiverSmart Homes Shade Tree Program is designed to reduce stormwater runoff and erosion on residential property in D.C. Through this program, homeowners can request that shade trees be planted on their property by Casey Trees for $50 per tree. But many don’t know that the program expands far beyond plantings on private single-family lots and can include condominiums, co-housing developments, apartment complexes and even small businesses. Open landscapes associated with

theleaflet | July 2014 5lindenlindenFortheloveof

these properties are excellent opportunities for us to plant significant numbers of shade trees to make a substantial addition to D.C.’s tree canopy while supplying residents with a woodland landscape to enjoy.

As a member of the condo board, Iris was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support for the tree planting project she proposed, which involved 18 total trees planted between older elm trees. If those elms die, the newly planted trees will be there to fill in any gaps in the canopy. “I think in every condo community, nothing you suggest is without people saying, ‘No,’ and ‘Why?’ and, ‘Does it have to…?’ And yet this was very much a welcomed suggestion.”

To Iris, the four linden trees (Tilia Americana) that Casey Trees planted around the side of property are the dearest. The stately trees provide shade for those below it and nectar for the bees and butterflies.

“They have a very important role in German music, folk songs, literature. And it goes very far back in history, even to the Germanic gods. And during the Holy Roman Empire, it was the tree of judgment. It’s the center of German villages, even today.”

And though Iris has built her life in D.C., the linden tree never fails to transport her back to Germany.

“It’s a symbol of comfort and of being home.”

6 July 2014 | theleaflet

SUMMER SCHEDULEEVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

theleaflet | July 2014 7

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH CASEY TREES?

AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BRANCHING OUT WITH US?

WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK MONTH AFTER MONTH?

Branch Out Happy HourBranch Out Happy Hour

JULY 8: NELLIE’S SPORTS BARAUGUST 12: 1905 BISTRO & BARSEPTEMBER 9: EL CENTRO D.F.

SUMMER SCHEDULEEVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

ANDREA MORELAND: It’ll be five years in the fall.GREGG SERENBETZ: Since the beginning. I did the tree canopy survey in 2002 and then started planting trees when Casey Trees started planting trees, which I think was 2003.VINCENT VERWEIJ: I think my first planting was in 2010 in Sherman Circle.

AM: I started coming whenever they started. Actually, they tried to get the volunteers to start organizing the happy hours initially. So a few of us were in charge of organizing the first happy hour, which was fun.GS: For two or three years. You guys plan it once a month and we show up.

AM: It’s a really good chance to connect with some of the more regular volunteersVV: I’m in it for the beer.

Branches outCasey Trees

Sign up for our emails to receive

reminders before each Branch Out

NO ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED

On the second Tuesday of each month, Casey Trees gathers at a different local watering hole to mingle and share stories. Longtime

volunteers and new friends alike are all welcome, but we’ve asked a few Branch Out veterans what keeps them coming back every month.

8 July 2014 | theleaflet

Spotlight

By William Green, Communications Intern | If you

want to get people interested in trees

and green space, summer Education

Department intern Kelsey Desmond

thinks you have to start young.

“The social justice part of sustainability

is really important, and a lot of that is

engaging young folks who might not be

interested in trees or just in anything.”

Kelsey brings her unique experience

working at a summer camp for blind

children back home in Cleveland

to Casey Trees’ summer TreeWise

program, instilling in D.C. school

children a lifelong appreciation for trees.

“I think planting the seed — pun

intended — for these kids so that they

get why trees are important is our

overarching goal,” she said.

And Kelsey’s seen firsthand what

impact just a few hours of outdoor

education can have on kids. During

a visit to E.L. Haynes Public Charter

School, one wowed six-year-old boy

couldn’t contain his excitement. ”You

guys are the best tree walkers I’ve ever

seen in the whole world!” he exclaimed.

“And I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a lot kid.

Thank you.’ Yeah, that’s definitely been

a standout moment.”

When she’s not out in the field

educating, Kelsey is working the

phones, sharing information about the

TreeWise program and other Casey

Trees educational events to as many

schools and community groups as

possible.

Pursuing a major in French and a

double minor in Linguistic and Cultural

Anthropology and Sustainability, Kelsey

hopes to marry her seemingly disparate

interests with her passion for education.

“People ask me as a French major,

‘what the heck are you gonna do after

school?’ I could definitely see myself

working with kids in education, as

well as environmentalism, and kind of

combining those two. I think education

is a vital part of what I would like to do

after Casey Trees.”

TreeWise intern Kelsey Desmond wants to plant the seed for D.C.’s kids

25 TO STAYALIVE

FOLLOW OUR WEEKLY

WATERING ALERTS

theleaflet | July 2014 9

By Michael Potts, GIS Analyst | The High School Summer Crew is

a program with dual

purposes. It teaches

high school students

tree stewardship while

making D.C. greener by

ensuring its trees are

adequately cared for

in the harsh summer

months. But advancing

technology has given the

program a third purpose:

providing an opportunity

to record useful data.

Once trees are

purchased from the

nurseries, the Casey

Trees-designed app

tracks them at every

stage of their lives. This

stretches from recording

the locations and care

actions of young trees

planted at Casey Tree

Farm to tracking a tree

throughout its life as it

is planted in the city and

subsequently revisited

for care and health

updates.

The usage of this app

is revolutionizing the

way Casey Trees tracks

maintenance data.

In the past, paper maps

were used to take notes

on watering and other

maintenance tasks.

Although those maps

were useful, the data

couldn’t be shared in real

time: different watering

crews didn’t know what

the others were doing

nor which trees had

already been visited. This

required a great deal

of route planning and

management to make

sure no efforts were

duplicated and no trees

fell through the watering

cracks.

The crews are now able

to use the map feature

in the app and see trees

labeled and visualized

according to care

needs. Trees that have

a watering priority will

stand out, ensuring they

receive the care they

need.

Users can tap on a single tree to perform detailed maintenance one tree at a time, or the user can gerrymander select the trees they’ve visited. The trees to be visited are shown in green, yellow, or red, which indicates their level of need.

Technology takes Summer Crew data collection to the next level

WHEN LESS THAN 1.5 INCHES OF RAIN FALLS IN A GIVEN WEEK, TREES MUST RECEIVE 25 GALLONS OF WATER TAKE THE PLEDGE TO WATER YOUR TREES

DURING THEIR MOST VUNERABLE SEASON & RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY RAIN GAUGE

10 July 2014 | theleaflet

Social: Branch Out Happy Hour6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Nellie’s Sports Bar900 U St NW

We’re headed back to Nellie’s Sports Bar for July’s Branch Out Happy Hour! Join us on Nellie’s newly revamped rooftop to cool off from the summer sun.

Cost: Free**No advanced registration required.

Family Program: Tree Detectives at Garfield Park6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Garfield Park3rd St & South Carolina Ave SE

Bring the whole family to Tree Detectives, a family-focused tree tour where you’ll hunt for clues including leaves, flowers and fruit to help identify different trees.

Cost: Free

Volunteer: Lansburgh Park Tree Care6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Lansburgh Park1030 Delaware Avenue SWGive young trees a leg up by joining us to care for trees at Lansburgh Park.

Cost: Free

Volunteer: Fort Dupont Park Invasive Species Removal9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Fort Dupont ParkMinnesota Avenue & F Street SE

Help Casey Trees, Anacostia Watershed Society, and the National Park Service remove invasive vines and care for trees at this park.

Cost: Free

Family Program: Buds Story Time 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.24th & R Streets NE

Join us for our new family program, Buds, a tree-focused story time aimed toward an audience of toddlers and preschoolers.

Cost: Free

Volunteer: Rock Creek Park Invasive Species Removal 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Rock Creek Park6100 16th St NW

Help Casey Trees, Rock Creek Conservancy, and the National Park Service remove invasive vines.

Cost: Free

Fruit Tree Workshop9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Stuart Center821 Varnum St NE

The workshop, led by fruit tree expert Michael Phillips, will include information on fruit tree basics including pruning, fungal disease management, and insect challenges.

Cost: $25

**Scholarships available

Events

Tree care events and programs to enjoy this summerJune, July and August offer the chance to take a break from planting and try out this summer’s tree care events, tree

tours and family programming. Become a Casey Trees Member to receive exclusive benefits, including advanced

registration to events like the ones below.

TUESDAY, JULY 8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

SATURDAY, JULY 19 SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

SATURDAY, JULY 19

THURSDAY JULY 10Volunteer: Citizen Science ProjectThursday, July 17, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Casey Trees Headquarters*Must only attend ONE of these two sessions

Contribute to a national study about monitoring tree health through Casey Trees’ Citizen Science Project. After the training class, participants will measure the 100 trees near Eastern Market (exact location to be discussed at the training session) and record their data at a time and date of their choosing.

Cost: Free

theleaflet | July 2014 11

Social: Branch Out Happy Hour 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.19051905 9th St NW

Join us at 1905 for our monthly happy hour for friends and volunteers! Free and open to all.

Cost: Free**No advanced registration required.

Family Program: Tree Detectives at Stoddert Elementary6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Stoddert Elementary School4001 Calvert St NW

Bring the whole family to Tree Detectives, a family-focused tree tour where you’ll hunt for clues including leaves, flowers and fruit to help identify different trees

Cost: Free

Family Program: Buds Story Time 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m24th & R Streets NE

Join us for our new family program, Buds, a tree-focused story time aimed toward an audience of toddlers and preschoolers

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13

Class: Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal6:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Casey Trees Headquarters

This course looks at non-native, invasive plants and how they threaten native landscapes. Participants will learn how to identify and control invasives found in the D.C. area.

The course consists of two parts on two different days: a 2.5 hour classroom session at the Casey Trees headquarters (August 20th) followed by a 2.5 hour field session (August 23rd) in Rock Creek Park

Cost: Free

**Registering for the classroom session automatically registers participants for the field session

Volunteer: Petworth Neighborhood Tree Care6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Petworth7th & Webster Streets NW

Give young trees a leg up by caring for trees at Petworth with us!

Cost: Free

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16

12 July 2014 | theleaflet

Arbor Kids

Finding Bee’s Favorite TreesBees love trees as much as we do and the trees certainly love them back.

Every bee’s life is essential because they pollinate trees, ensuring that every tree can grow big and strong, all

the while coming to life with beautiful fruits and flowers.

However, not every tree is the same. The trees below have especially identifiable flowers. How many of these

trees can you find your neighborhood?

TULIP POPLAR

LITTLELEAF LINDEN

SOURWOOD

BLACK LOCUST