Piedmont Discovery

BRDC in the Piedmont Region

2011-10-04T11:45:00.001-04:00

The board of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center decided at its last meeting to concentrate its efforts in South Western Virginia, particularly Grayson County, in order to make the most of its human and financial resources. We are excited to use this opportunity to clarify our purpose, strengthen our presence, and deepen our roots by reducing our geographic scope. At the same time, we are saddened to reduce our energy in the Piedmont Region and in the activity here that you helped manifest. Thank you to all of you for your contribution to our programs in this area, and your efforts to explore, discover, and share this region with others. Please continue to follow BRDC's activities on our Blue Ridge Blog, and on our website. We also hope you might join us in Grayson from time to time for events like the Mount Roger's Naturalist Rally, which is an activity-filled weekend outdoors in May that BRDC co-hosts.

Pawpaw Prints

2011-08-19T20:59:00.007-04:00

Pawpaw fruit bisected, the seeds removed, and watercolors used for pigment.

My girls and I have been watching and waiting for local pawpaw fruit to ripen. We visit local woodlands weekly to check in on this wonderful native plant. We went yesterday with visions of soft sweet fruit in our heads and the expectation that maybe, just maybe, local pawpaws were beginning to soften... not so! Despite a report from Pfafftown, NC of ripe fruit on August 4, the northbound wave of ripening has yet to reach the C-ville area.
So...while we wait...we're using the unripened fruit to making pawpaw prints and learning more about this plant in the process.

Pawpaws as Bait

2011-08-04T20:19:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I picked my first ripe pawpaws (Asimina triloba) of the year. The pulp was delicious. I then sliced the skins lengthwise and put them out skin side down on a plate in the shade by the front porch. Butterflies stopped by starting about 10 am. The most I saw of each species at any one time is listed below.

1 Silvery Checkerspot
1 Questionmark
3 Red Spotted Purple
2 Hackberry Emperor
1 Gemmed Satyr
2 Common Wood Nymph

Jim Nottke
Pfafftown, NC

2011 Butterfly List, Our Urban Yard

2011-08-02T17:09:00.004-04:00

We have a tiny yard in downtown Charlottesville. The following is a running list of species observed in 2011. The list only shows the first time a species was noticed and does not reflect multiple sightings, numbers, etc.

April- June
eastern comma, Polygonia comma
orange sulphur, Colias eurytheme
cabbage white, Pieris rapae
spring azure, Celastrina ladon
great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele
zebra swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus
red-banded hairstreak, Calycopis cecrops
silver-spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus

June 26
question mark, Polygonia interrogationis
sachem skipper, Atalopedes campestris
wild indigo duskywing, Erynnis baptisiae
other duskywing unidentified
pearl crescent, Phyciodes tharos

June 28
American snout, Libytheana carinenta

June 29
variegated fritillary, Euptoieta claudia

July
American painted lady, Vanessa virginiensis
painted lady, Vanessa cardui
hackberry emperor, Asterocampa celtis

August 2
spicebush swallowtail

August 6
red admiral, Vanessa atalanta
zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon

August 11
common buckeye, Junonia coenia

August 18
monarch, Danaus plexippus
Horace's duskywing, Erynnis horatius

August 22
silvery checkerspot, Chlosyne nycteis

August 23
Hayhurst's scallopwing, Staphylus hayhurstii

Ecosystem Gardening and Living: Part I, The Granite Outcrop

2011-07-28T09:04:00.045-04:00

Looking to Local Habitats: models for creating vibrant self-sustaining urban ecosystems.

You know that spot in your garden on the south side of your house or office building where nothing will grow without significant watering? Maybe it's against the house with full sun exposure and maybe some hot and hard surface is nearby. Maybe it's one of the thousands of cracked concrete and asphalt surfaces scattered about town. There are countless little cracks and divots where sidewalks meet buildings, where parking lots meet sidewalks, where little islands of "weeds" and very well-drained sandy soils stand in the hot sun, or in other areas where the hard surface has begun to weather a bit. Maybe it's the water-shedding heat-generating roof on your house, with absolutely nothing growing on it. Well, all of these sunny, hot and dry spots present wonderful opportunities for low maintenance and interesting native plant gardening. These locations are perfect places to plant species that thrive on and around local rock outcrops.

Feature: The Albemarle County Granite Outcrop

Granite Outcrop Conditions: Outcrops with large surface area are typically fully exposed to the elements because they don’t have enough soil to support forest canopy and understory growth. Therefore, temperatures tend to be extreme in summer and winter. Because of the impermeable surface of the rock outcrop there is very little opportunity for soil deposition. Rainwater and snow melt water run off readily. In areas of small depressions and cracks, or in areas where boulders or smaller rocks rest upon the outcrop surface, soil may accumulate. Soil tends to be very well drained sandy organic loam with angular sand, pebbles, and cobbles. Because of the lack of moisture retention the site remains hot and dry, or cold and dry, for extended periods of time during summer and winter. When temperatures are more moderate in spring and autumn, the site retains the quality of being very well drained and dry.

What parts of urban human habitats resemble the granite rock outcrop habitat? Granite outcrops on south facing slopes very near Charlottesville provide examples for a multitude of sustainable solutions for what flora to plant on south facing roofs, barren areas in your yard that receive lots of sun and little water, concrete and asphalt surfaces, and other exposed, hard surfaces in urban areas. There are challenges presented when dealing with those spots that reach summertime surface temperatures exceeding 120 degrees! Local rock outcrop plants are up to the challenge!

Why use local habitats as models for creating artificial but self-sustaining urban ecosystems? Local habitats contain plants that have had millions of years to adjust to local conditions. These conditions are frequently quite habitat-specific. These local conditions include very important determining factors like latitude, longitude, aspect, slope, elevation, soil drainage, geologic substrate, soil chemistry, and local rainfall patterns. This means that they don't need much of your help to survive and thrive! Yes, no watering! Furthermore, we are in a world where we must return to the ways of understanding local systems and local species. Our well-being is tied directly to the extent to which we understand these things and the connections we have to them in our day to day lives. When we explore local habitats and consider using them as models for ecosystem gardening, we become engaged with our immediate local and regional woods, fields, and streams. The benefit of this approach is that it encourages we humans to pay attention to our surroundings, look closer, understand more, and to nurture the health of human ecosystems for the sake of our health, our survival and the well-being of future generations. So, give it a try! It's educational, fun, and healthy. And of course, include your friends and family.

An interesting result: you could end up creating habitats for rare species! Habitat is the most limiting factor for many rare and endangered species. While protecting natural habitat is vital, a serious risk is that we can end up with wild islands of biodiversity that are too vulnerable and decline over time. The good news is that sometimes just the creation of habitat is enough to attract rare native plants and animals. In Switzerland a green roof on a water filtration plant was even spontaneously colonized by thousands of a rare native orchid (Orchis morio). One other study in Switzerland discovered that green roofs are also a haven for rare and endangered spiders and beetles. (http://urbanhabitats.org/v04n01/introduction.html)

Features like "green roofs", and living walls are still relatively new to the United States, so while use of native plants that are considered local is standard in many parts of the world we are still catching up to identify and use more of the species that actually thrive in our region. In Europe and other countries, the use of native plants on roofs goes back to ancient times. Sod roofs were common in Scandinavia, and in Japan, Japanese roof iris even got its name from the ancient practice of growing it on roofs.

Application: The obvious challenge is to find practical solutions for building (or renovating) spaces that can accommodate plants in a way that accomplishes the same thing as the local habitat example. One must be able to find parallels between the conditions of their urban space and those of specific local wild habitats. In other words, which habitat model and set of solutions is right for your urban space…your roof, yard, or park? The answer resides in a combination of matching existing or planned urban site conditions with those of local habitats while considering the special use requirements of the human habitat being created or renovated.

Another important factor in choosing your plants would be soil, or more appropriately, substrate, since many roofs and urban hard surface areas contain no actual soil. For example, semi-intensive "green roofs", with a slightly deeper soil, can support more diversity than an extensive roof which may only have a soil depth of a few inches. Additionally, the alkalinity of soil (or lack thereof: pH) plays a big role in what species will grow on a rock outcrop or not. In Albemarle County, we tend to see more biodiversity on and around mafic outcrops that contribute calcium and magnesium to the soil. Also, in a granite outcrop, soil depth and type will vary dramatically over a small area. Creating variations in the depth of the media, and including different types of substrate (crushed greenstone, oystershell, crushed shale, sand, permatill, peat, etc.) can help mimic the kinds of natural variation seen over one site.

Benefits: Watering and fertilizing are work intensive and can have adverse impacts on the local environment. With plants that are adapted to local environmental conditions, maintenance is very low! Aside from the obvious value of having low maintenance self-sustaining plant growth, those millions of years of adapting to site-specific conditions have also resulted in a sustainable web of interconnections between a multitude of dynamic systems and organisms. They are all reliant upon one another. Local insects are reliant upon specific local plants, and local native food webs extend outward in countless directions. Native plants on a living roof will attract the life they are co-adapted with. With few exceptions, non-native plants will not support local fauna and will tend to occupy space otherwise suited for native plants. The net result is typically a reduction in biodiversity. These non-native plants are not adapted to local conditions and have not undergone co-adaptation with local species of plants and animals. And, in many cases, they are quite difficult to maintain, since they are hundreds or thousands of miles away from their co-adapted habitats. Low maintenance urban ecosystems with local native species of plants would reduce costs while supporting truly vibrant native plant and animal ecosystems. This type of gardening is exciting for both kids and adults, and can produce a rich learning environment for those that try it.

In addition to the biodiversity and horticultural benefits, there are some financial reasons to use local native rock plants as well. LEED awards points for using native plants, and features like green roofs already get points for reducing heating and cooling costs, meaning effectively that you can maximize your point total towards certification. Also, localities and the EPA are developing tougher regulations for stormwater management. Using drought tolerant native plants can help you meet or exceed the stormwater requirements for your project and reduce water consumption.

Ecosystem gardening and landscaping is both educational and fun. Give it a try!

Species observed on June 14, 2011 at an Albemarle County granite rock outcrop community:

LOW GROWING PLANTS

annual ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia
American Alumroot, Heuchera americana
common dittany, Cunila oreginoides
whitemouth dayflower, commelina erecta
asiatic dayflower, commelina communis
dwarf dandeolion, Krigia virginica
eastern prickly pear, Opuntia humifusa
upland boneset, Eupatorium sessilifoium
St. Andrew's cross, Hypericum hypericoides
venus looking glass, Triodanis perfoliata
fameflower, Talinum teretifolium
woodland sunflower, Helianthus divaricatus
Solomon's seal, Polygonatum biflorum
smooth forked nailwort, Paronychia canadensis
lambs quarters, Chenopodium album
blunt-lobed woodsia, Woodsia obtusa

VINES
Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia
poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans

SHRUBS
deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum
black haw, Viburnum prunifolium
blackberry species, unidentified
raspberry species, unidentified
dwarf hackberry, Celtis tenuifolia
hercules club, devil's walking stick, Aralia spinosa
lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium
mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia
persimmon, Diospyros virginiana

TREES
post oak, Quercus stellata
chestnut oak, Quercus prinus
eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana
pignut hickory, Carya glabra
white ash, Fraxinus americanus
ailanthus, Ailanthus altissima (non-native invasive)
Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana

MOSS
grimmia dry rock moss, Grimmia laevigata

FAUNA
eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus
great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
white-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
summer tanager, Piranga rubra
bluejay, Cyanocitta cristata
eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens

List of Eastern US Species For Green Roofs (including species that grow on a variety of outcrop substrates)

Common	Scientific
nodding onion	Allium cernuum
shale barren pussy toes	Antennaria virginica
red columbine	Aquilegia canadensis
bearberry	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
southern harebell	Campanula divaricata
bluebell bellflower	Campanula rotundifolia
wooly lip fern	Cheilanthes tomentosa
whitehair leather flower	Clematis albicoma
curlyheads	Clematis ochroleuca
millboro leather flower	Clematis viticaulis
cumberland Rosemary	Conradina verticillata
pale corydalis	Corydalis sempervirens
wild dittany	Cunila origanoides
allegheny stonecrop	Hylotelephium telephioides
yellow star-grass	Hypoxis hirsuta
dwarf blazing star	Liatris microcephala
Virginia agave	Manfreda virginica
pine barren stitchwort	Minuartia caroliniana
eastern prickly pear	Opuntia humifusa
silverling	Paronychia argyrocoma
small's beard-tongue	Penstemon smallii
fern-leaf phacelia	Phacelia bipinnatifida
small flowered phacelia	Phacelia dubia
moss phlox	Phlox subulata
three-toothed cinquefoil	Potentilla tridentata
skullcap	Scutellaria integrifolia
cliff stonecrop	Sedum Glaucophyllum
Nevius stonecrop	Sedum nevii
beautiful stonecrop	Sedum pulchellum
woodland stonecrop	Sedum ternatum
rock spike moss	Selaginella rupestris
wild pink	Silene carolina
fameflower	Talinum teretifolium
blue curls	Trichostema setaceum

________________________________

Authors
Devin Floyd, Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Albemarle County Natural Heritage Committee. Lonnie Murray, Chair, Albemarle County Natural Heritage Committee
Contributors
Special thanks to Dorothy Tompkins and Repp Glaettli for assisting with the granite outcrop site visit, survey, documentation and species identification, and to Chip Morgan for fern identification. Also special thanks to BRDC's blog readership for assisting with identification.
All images © Devin Floyd, unless stated otherwise.

Forest Scavenger Hunt at Ragged Mountain Natural Area

2011-07-19T11:08:00.009-04:00

About 5 families joined me on July 14 for a scavenger hunt at Ragged Mountain Natural Area, Charlottesville City's Blue Ridge jewel. We started the hunt from the parking area, where each participant got a checklist containing species that we had seen on an earlier scouting trip. Line drawings or photographs accompanied each listing to help with identification. As we started up the steep main trail, everyone immediately started trying to find and check off items. The main trail goes through an older forest on rocky soil - Chestnut Oak, and Red Maple were abundant, as were Mockernut Hickory. Black Gum , Tulip Poplar and Dogwood were also present - and on the list! A Blue Tailed Skink surprised and delighted us as he scurried over some boulders near the trail. We passed around some Ailanthus, and one of the girls said she loved the smell: it reminded her of peanuts.

The kids were hoping to find a Click Beetle, like this one that we had found on our scouting trip:

but ended up checking "beetle" off when they found a dead Cicada in the trail.

Some of the adults were happy to learn some new shrubby and ground cover plants, like Autumn Olive, Virginia Creeper, and this Tick-Trefoil:

As we left the Main Trail to turn onto the Peninsula Trail, we noticed how the forest changed. This area of newer growth included White and Virginia Pines, and more ground cover. Everyone was thrilled to reach the water's edge and the grassy "beach". Marveling at the surrounding vista was cut short by the sighting of a Brown Water Snake in the water, and the observation that no doubt it was trying to catch some of these frogs - wow, look at them! They're all over!

Cricket and Pickerel Frogs were quickly checked off.

The Peninsula Trail species seemed like some of the favorites, as people explored and found some of the many Persimmon Trees in the area, some ripe Blackberries, St. John's Wort, and Cardinal Flower.

Soon, kids were coming up and telling me they had found just about everything on the list. We headed back towards the parking lot after I pointed out a hold-out, Hercule's Club:

While I wish I could say the outing ended with the sighting of rabbits near the parking lot, I'm afraid there were some yellow-jackets, too. Everyone was a trooper, though, and the stings gave us a chance to try out the astringent properties of Plaintain. Thanks to all for a beautiful afternoon!

Play Group in the Woods

2011-06-26T10:38:00.012-04:00

Play Group in the Woods 2011 was 4 fun mornings at Kemper Park, the arboretum and park at the bottom of the Monticello Trail. We got to know the area on the first morning with a scavenger hunt, with two teams looking for various plants and animals, such as locust thorns, sweet shrub seed pods, spice bush berries, jewel weed and toads.

We took a good look at snake berries (Frageria Indica), one of the items in the scavenger hunt. We smelled the spicey spice bush, and learned that the butternuts smelled lemony and were sticky, but the walnuts didn't smell and werent sticky. We found various other treasures on the way, like the robin's egg pictured below and an empty chrysalis.

On the second morning, we tried to discover as many species as possible in and around the rain water retention pools. With our eyes, nets and field guides, we found: dragon flies and their larvae, damselflies and their larvae, Eastern Newts, gilled newts (perhaps baby Eastern Newts), crayfish, tadpoles, Giant Water Bugs (toe-biters), Water Boatmen, Ants, water spiders, Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, Cabbage White Moths, Jewel Weed, Willow, Maple, and Sycamore trees, Daisy Fleabane, Wood Sorrel , Wood Anemone, Joe Pye Weed, Bull Frogs, and Green Frogs, grape vine, and hydrilla. We listened to the Green Frogs twangy call. We also found many many Catalpa Horn Worms on a neighboring Catalpa Tree, below.

The third morning we went berry picking! We looked carefully at the Wineberry plant, and noticed its hairy, thorny canes, and leaflet structure. We noticed some Blackberry plants in among the Wineberries. After having our fill, we sat down and crushed up some berries, mixed some dirt with water, and tore up some plantain leaf to see what kind of colors we could make from them. The mud made the best paint.

Our final morning started out deliciously when one of the families offered everyone some just-made wineberry muffins! Then, we headed off through some meadow to get to the woods in the secluded farm trails. We passed bunches of Milkweed, and saw a hummingbird moth on its flowers. We also saw a black snake on a woodpile. We found and enjoyed a third kind of berry - black raspberries. We noticed Poison Ivy vine on some trees that was so big some thought it was the tree. We saw Sassafras trees, big and tiny, with their 3 kinds of leaves, and enjoyed the root beer smell of its root.

When we got to some woods free of undergrowth, we set to building some shelters - big for the people, and little for the fairies.

Thanks to all for a really great week!

BRDC Monthly Walk: What are trees tellling you?

2011-06-20T12:08:00.002-04:00

"Rocks > Soil > Trees"

June 25. Charlottesville Area Monthly Exploration.
What are Trees Telling You?

Description: Join BRDC's Devin Floyd for an 1.5 - 2 mile hike at Secluded farm in Albemarle County, Va. When one explores the factors that determine where different trees grow, one discovers the web of connections and relationships that bind each tree to the place that gives it life. Fun, hands-on learning in a magnificent forest.
Intended Audience: Public. under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: FREE
Location: Kemper Park and Secluded Farm, Charlottesville. Meet at the Monticello Trails trail head parking lot (the small one) at Kemper Park. MAP
Time: 9:30 am - 12:00am (rain or shine; wear hiking shoes; bring water)

For more information please contact Devin Floyd at devin.floyd@gmail.com
I hope to see you there!
-Devin

Expedition at Secluded Farm

2011-06-11T13:00:00.011-04:00

Saturday’s walk, led by Devin Floyd (president of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center) consisted of a two-hour expedition exploring habitat diversity at the Secluded Farm tract. The farm includes nearly 150 acres of field lands and forest, containing a wealth of flora and fauna. The trails and property, which link to the Monticello trails, are maintained by Monticello through a lease from the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.
Collage to the right © Patrick Wamsley.

List of species observed on the hike: LINK

The adventure began with some exploration of the rainwater retaining pools at Kemper Park. A bit of mucking about with a net produced tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, and backswimmers! Participants learned about the catalpa hornworm and its reliance on the catalpa tree as its sole food source as well as its importance for fishing enthusiasts.

Hikers first passed through a variety of open areas, including fields of wingstem, milkweed and dogbane. The concept of "eco-tones" in creating diversity was discussed and the many ways humans create eco-tones. Devin took everyone back in time from the Pleistocene era when megafauna such as wooly mammoths and giant sloths roamed between the hawthorns, pawpaw, and honeylocusts, up to when the land was cleared and farmed well into the 20th Century. On the way through the fields the group came upon the national record specimen of a black haw viburnum and pondered why it had survived for so long in a field that had been cut and farmed. Black Haw information sheet

The hike took the group through two distinctly different forests (oak-hickory and ash-poplar) and Devin challenged the group to formulate hypotheses about why the differences existed, whether it is the aspect of the land, soil chemistry, availability of water, or the age of the forest. He also discussed what forest succession is and why a tree falling in the woods isn’t all that bad. Some of the other tree and shrub species the group learned to identify were: slippery elm, tulip poplar, sassafras, honey locust, black walnut, butternut, and spicebush.

Not all effects on the forest are visible above ground, but thanks to an overturned tree participants were able to see the rich deep red subsoils that reside on Catoctin Greenstone (metabasalt) while Devin discussed the impact of such subsoils on plant life, and the correlations between human activity and geology; specifically, some of the reasons why Jefferson chose the locations for his farm and for the University of Virginia.

A variety of insect species accompanied the hike including: great spangled fritillary, zebra swallowtail, question mark butterfly, Hercules beetle, and bird species such as the scarlet tanager, titmouse, and yellow-billed cuckoo, among others. It was a great day for walking, exploring, and learning!

Collage above © Patrick Wamsley

Article by Julie Roller, BRDC guide, Master Naturalist, and aspiring certified arborist.

Resources:

List of species observed on this hike: LINK
Paleo Pollen Mapping: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/pollen/viewer/webviewer.html
Extinction and the importance of history and dependence in conservation: http://www.tc-biodiversity.org/sample-extinction.pdf
Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States (large pdf): http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/WeakleyFlora2010Mar.pdf

The Johnson Elementary School Giant

2011-05-27T17:12:00.016-04:00

Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa

The kids and teachers at Johnson Elementary are proud of there giant! Participants of Blue Ridge discovery Center's second Amazing Trees visit were a class of third graders from Johnson Elementary School. We hypothesize that the tree is a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and do so based on several attributes. Notably, the remains of last year's acorns show that the acorns are huge! The nuts of this tree must supply food to a very happy community of small mammals and insects on the school grounds! The tree is an integral part of this human ecosystem. Students at the school pass the tree frequently as it is along the route to the playground. The typical habitat of this kind of tree is the Great Plains area of the United States. It is a very tough tree that can withstand both fire and drought. There are no known accounts of this type of tree occurring in the wild this far east in Virginia so it was likely planted. How long ago is any one's guess. It is certainly one of the oldest trees in this part of town!
I wonder what the land looked like long ago when this bur oak sprouted?

This tree has quite a canopy reach. In fact its crown is the third biggest spread in the State for this kind of tree (as of 05-27-2011)! Under this broad canopy students, teachers and parents explored the habitat to see what lives with it. Under the tree and in the tree were noted a blue jay, ground bees, poison ivy, English ivy, a variety of ants, flies, several types of grasses, mushrooms, moths, violets, wild strawberries, buttercup, sorrel, some exposed roots and the sticks, leaves, and acorn parts from last year's growth. In the tree we found eggs and small insects on nearly every leaf. It is clear that this amazing tree supports a great deal of wildlife in this schoolyard!

Participants helped BRDC staff measure the height of the tree, the circumference of the trunk, and the spread of the canopy. They also helped us take notes and fill out our data forms (thank you participants!). Other hands-on activities included exploring the details of the tree by making leaf rubbings, bark rubbings, taking photographs and doing illustrations.

Some interesting facts (this is a very tough tree!):

thick bark helps to protect it from fire. In fact it is the most fire-tolerant of all the oaks
deep taproot allows it to survive extreme drought.
can tolerate extreme cold
bur oak tends to grow slowly, but can reach 1000 years in age!
American Indians used the tree to treat a variety of sicknesses, including heart problems, broken bones and to stop bleeding

Participants questions (if you know the answers, chime in below!):
1) How old could this tree be?
2) Why is it growing here and what does that say about the history of the site?

One benefit of having big trees: Cooler temperatures on hots days!
Temperature under the tree, 3:30pm: 78.5 degrees
Temperature near the tree but not under canopy, 3:35 pm: 89.5 degrees

Tree statistics:

Height: about 77 feet (+/- 5 ft.)
Circumference: 147 inches
Spread of crown: 90 feet
Total Points: 247 points [Circumference (inches) + Total Height (feet) + ¼ Crown Spread (feet) = total points.]

How does it stack up to other giants?

This bur oak is the fourth largest bur oak recorded in the state of Virginia.
Its crown is the third biggest in the state.
It is tied for the third tallest Bur Oak in Virginia.
It has the fourth largest circumference.

________________________________
Project website: www.amazingtrees.org

In the news, NBC29:

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References

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/macrocarpa.htm
http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/trees/Q-macrocarpa.html
http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/register.php
http://www.web2.cnre.vt.edu/4h/bigtree/

The Giant at Quarry Park

2011-05-14T15:31:00.031-04:00

There’s a giant in the neighborhood! Participants of Blue Ridge discovery Center's first Amazing Trees visit met at Quarry Park to measure a truly amazing tree. The tree is an American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and it is located along the north bank of Moore’s creek. The tree is part of the stream ecosystem called a riparian zone, and is an integral part of the human ecosystem at the site as it stands high above a baseball field in the park. I wonder how long people have been enjoying this magnificent tree?

This giant has a massive trunk (see measurements below) and the canopy (the spread of the branches) is broader than the tree’s height. Children and adults enjoyed learning how to measure the height of the tree and the spread of the canopy using a variety of methods. they also helped us take notes and fill out our data forms (thank you participants!). Other hands-on activities included exploring the details of the tree by making leaf rubbings, measuring various components of the tree, taking photographs and doing illustrations.

Participants questions (if you know the answers, chime in below!):
1) How old is this tree?
2) How old to sycamores get?

A few notable sycamore attributes:

Bark: Smooth, creamy white near the top of the tree, flaky and brown toward the base of the trunk.
Leaves: Deciduous, 4-9 inches wide and coarsely toothed.
Fruit: This tree is commonly recognized by the little brown globes that dangle from its outer branches

_________________________________________________

Tree statistics:

Height: about 115 feet (+/- 10 ft.)
Circumference: 184 inches
Spread of crown: 119 feet
Total Points: 329 points [Circumference (inches) + Total Height (feet) + ¼ Crown Spread (feet) = total points.]

How does it stack up to other giants?

Its canopy spread is the second largest American sycamore registered in Virginia! (the largest being 142 inches)
Its height is the fifth tallest American sycamore registered thus far in the state! (tallest being 144 inches)
Its total points, however, do not compete. (top 6: 398, 409, 409, 428, 444, and 454)
The national champion American sycamore has these proportions: Circumference: 422 inches (!?!); Height: 129 feet; Spread: 105 feet; Total points: 577. The tree is Ashland, Ohio.

Location:
Quarry Park is a little over 9 acres and has access to the Rivanna Trail.

Elevation: 103 meters (338 feet)
Longitude: -78.4769559
Latitude: 38.014862

Habitat:

Exposure/landcover: Full Sun
Aspect: relatively flat, with maybe a slight Southern tilt.
Ecosystem type: Riparian. Other dominant species present are box elder, green ash, silver maple, black locust and red maple
Geologic substrate: Catoctin Formation, meta-basalt (very high in available nutrients, especially calcium and iron)
Soil Type: Davidson Loam (riparian deposits may be a different soil classification), a nutrient rich, high productivity soil.

Article by Julie Roller
Photos and editing by Devin Floyd

_____________________________________________

NBC 29 was on site, and footage aired on two Central Va stations. Here is what they created: LINK

Note: Detailed protocol for measuring trees is being utilized for the Amazing Trees of Charlottesville project. This protocol aligns with various state and national protocol and standards for measuring "champion trees". Please see links in the sources below for more information.

Sources:

http://www.myfishmaps.com/topo-maps/US-fishing-locations/Virginia/Virginia-Parks/Charlottesville-city/Charlottesville_East/Quarry-Park/
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Sixth edition. Chicago, IL: Stipes Publishing LLC. 2009.
National Database: http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/
State Database: http://www.fw.vt.edu/4h/bigtree/bigtree_search.cfm
Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/index.cfm

Project website: www.amazingtrees.org
BRDC website: www.blueridgediscoverycenter.org

What's this Hawk up to? Part 2

2011-05-05T11:20:00.007-04:00

The maintenance crew patiently waits.

These photographs were taken by the Maintenance crew at Upper Darby High School. The high school is less than a mile to the east of Drexel Hill Middle School (subject of Part 1).
See the nest behind the lights? The maintenance crew decided to "wait on Mama" to finish rearing her young before they could repair the lightning damage. The inset is another juvenile. It seems that these Red-tails are making the most of this human habitat, and they probably help manage rodent populations at the schools!

Question:

How many hawks do you think this suburban habitat can support? (See below for aerial view of the area, which includes three school, two large cemeteries, and a wooded stream corridor)

Hats off to the maintenance crew for their patient approach! Hopefully the kids, school staff and larger community will have the opportunity to observe these birds for years to come.

For an idea of what this human habitat looks like, here's a view from the sky:

View Larger Map

For information pertaining to food, nesting habits, behavior, calls and more I suggest you try this resource: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/lifehistory

LINK to What's this Hawk up to? Part 1

What is this hawk up to? Part 1

2011-05-03T20:25:00.011-04:00

This large hawk has been hanging around Drexel Hill Elementary School for three days.
The school is located in the Northern Piedmont about 6 miles west of Philadelphia, PA. The school grounds consist of open fields that are mowed on a regular basis. This photograph was taken at about 5-10 feet away from the bird, and yet it seems almost comfortable with the presence of a human, like it is focused on more important matters! As you can see, it is sitting on a schoolyard fence, relatively close to the ground. The photographer notes that the bird has been busy fighting off crows during its three day visit.

Questions for you:

Why would a large hawk be perched this close to the ground, be relatively non-responsive to human presence, and lingering for three days around a school yard?
What kind of hawk do you think this is?
What does the presence of this bird say about local ecosystem health, if anything?

Notes and links that may be of help:

Immediately south of the school is a very large cemetery (130 acres) containing large trees (the cemetery is over 110 years old) and lots of open green space.
Immediately to the Northeast is Hillcrest Elementary School, a small forest and stream, and another large and old cemetery.
The school is located in a Philadelphia suburb (the Northern Piedmont) and the vast majority of the area is covered with a tight network of houses and roads.
www.allaboutbirds.org
What's this hawk up to? Part 2

Earthweek EcoFair 2011

2011-04-23T17:00:00.003-04:00

What Lives Where You Live?

At the EcoFair this year BRDC featured dozens of local plants and animals and enticed participants to have a closer look at animals that share our yards, parks and living spaces. Through this direct hands-on engagement we spent the day considering the relationships we have with living and nonliving things. We hope you had fun!

Click here:

The EcoFair Art Gallery

Thank you for sharing your wonderful artwork!

At the Event:

Some of the animals and plants on exhibit:

Northern cricket frog, Acris crepitans
Spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer
Fowler’s toad, Anaxyrus fowleri
Redback salamander, Plethodon cinereus
Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon
Eastern newt and red eft, Notophthalmus viridescens
Dragonfly larvae (aquatic insect)
Damselfly larvae (aquatic insect)
Physid and planorbid snails (aquatic)
Green frog tadpoles, Lithobates clamitans melanota
Crawling water beetle (aquatic insect)
Backswimmer (aquatic insect)
Southern adder's tongue (a fern!), Ophioglossum vulgatum
Early saxifrage, Saxifraga virginiensis
Morel mushrooms, Morchella species

"At the core of the Local movement, and at the heart of our pursuit of local reliance, sustainability, and healthy communities, is the maintenance of well-balanced and self-renewing human ecosystems. To truly achieve the goal of creating and maintaining these healthy systems, we must have local understanding and knowledge-building. Neither of these is attainable unless we find ways to inspire a love for learning and a passion for exploration, discovery, and inquiry. With this love and passion, our children, grandchildren and future generations will have the ability to make wise decisions pertaining to human well-being." - DSF
So, get outside, observe butterflies, birds, frogs and others, and ask yourself, "What role does this animal or plant play in my human habitat? What eats it? What does it eat? What are the relationships and connections I have with this animal?"

Dung Sipping Beauty

2011-04-05T13:45:00.016-04:00

Question Mark Butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis

Nature is filled with metaphors and dichotomies. The question mark is both, in my mind. It is a great symbol of strength and beauty in late winter and early spring, a time that can present great challenges for delicate life forms.
The butterfly's underwings are patterned perfectly for hiding among the gray details of winter. It renders itself nearly invisible by hanging upside down from dessicated winter leaves with its wings closed.

And now for the dichotomy. When I think of butterflies I tend to think of flowers, sweet smells and bright colorful days. But, this beauty functions perfectly amid no flowers, engulfed by pungent odors, and in a world of grays and browns! It can get food in a time of year when no nectar is available. It does not need a flower's nectar for food. It can dance about the woods in February, before the flowers come alive. It gets its sustenance from the waste and injury of others....the minerals in animal dung, and the nutritious gift of tree sap weeping from wounds. Rotting fruit, dung, and sap are its preference, and only in the absence of these will it sip nectar!

-Devin

A magnificent duo

2011-04-02T12:58:00.002-04:00

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) flowers and Zebra swallowtail, (Eurytides marcellus).

It's that time of year again!
The illusive zebra swallowtail butterfly is emerging. Equally beautiful are the emerging flowers of the swallowtail's host plant, the pawpaw tree.
For a glimpse of this butterfly I recommend a stroll along the umbrella magnolia trail at Kemper Park (Charlottesville). In central Virginia you will find this butterfly in association with soils supported by the Catoctin formation, a mineral rich geologic substrate that is part of the Blue Ridge Province. The pawpaw trees love this rich soil (as do trees such as redbud, green ash, and hackberry).

You will see other woodland butterflies there as well, one of these will likely be the question mark butterfly. Unless it is flying it can be very hard to see. I found it dangling from a dry leaf under a shrub about one foot off the ground. The butterfly itself looked like a leaf, and if it weren't for a quick glimmer of bright orange from its upper wing, I wouldn't have seen it at all! Can you find it in the picture below?

Hawk attack

2011-04-01T09:24:00.000-04:00

April 8, 2011. Hawk attack! This week several national news outlets carried a story of a nesting red-shoulder hawk that attacked a man in Florida, conjuring up images of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

Should we be so surprised?

Each spring throughout North America, thousands of new hawks hatch from their eggs and, after being nurtured for a short time and learning to fly, are pushed from their nests by their parents. The majority of these juveniles, known as passage birds, will fail to survive their first brutal winter on their own. In fact, despite being at the top of the food chain, proud and noble creatures that they are, the five-year mortality rate for wild hawks and falcons is well over eighty percent.
We shouldn’t be shocked at all when a wild predator defends her young. Hawk attacks on humans are extremely rare. I have personally trapped and trained three wild hawks, all of which were safely released back to the wild, and I know of falconers and research bird-banders who have trapped hundreds, if not more. Wild birds of prey are generally afraid of humans and do their best to avoid us, but their hunger and instinct for survival supersedes all.

By Andy Straka
Licensed Falconer - Earlysville, VA

Maple blossoms

2011-03-10T19:31:00.003-05:00

Charlottesville, March 8

Early Blooming Yard "Weeds", Hinton Avenue

2011-02-24T17:13:00.003-05:00

Species are being added to this short running list as they are observed in bloom.

Veronica persica (birdeye speedwell, Persian speedwell, etc.)
February 14th

Veronica hederifolia (ivy-leaved speedwell)
February 24th

Lamium amplexicaule (henbit deadnettle)
February 24th

Lamium purpureum (purple deadnettle)
February 24th

Cardamine hirsuta, (Hairy Bittercress)
February 25

A February Flutterby...I wonder

2011-02-17T18:55:00.017-05:00

Eastern comma, Polygonia comma.©D. Floyd
(02-17-2011. Carter's Mtn., NW facing woodland cove, 750 feet el.
Butterflies and Moths of North America sightings record).

Last week's warmth nudged life into action, if only temporarily. A few insects buzzed about and the earliest wildflowers have begun to bloom (most of the early bloomers around town will be non-natives..see picture below for one that's probably in your yard). I wonder if these early warm-weather teases play a strong role in natural selection. I wonder how those insects are getting along today, with temperatures below freezing and snow falling. Would not a whole generation of insects freeze annually this time of year?... with early warm stretches followed by cold spells? Surely these transitional periods are essential for regulating certain insect populations. And, surely some insects have adapted to the wild variations in our late winter/early spring weather patterns. I wonder how this has shaped life through time in Virginia and other areas with extreme seasonal changes?

Last week I saw my first '2011' butterfly! Down on my knees, while tracking Hercules beetle larvae, an Eastern comma (Polygonia comma) landed on my shoulder. I think I heard it whisper, "spring will be here soon!....ready to chase butterflies?". 4 of these butterflies made themselves visible during a 1.5 hour woodland hike! They were sipping sap from tree wounds. You see, not all butterflies go for flower nectar. In fact, this butterfly prefers rotting fruit and sap! Can you imagine how this dietary preference might come in handy in the winter (there are only a few flowers available right now, and they are nectar sources for early small insects like gnats, bees and flies). While it may be that early blooming wildflowers have an advantage by emerging early (they have very little competition for pollinators and their leaves have little competition for light), what do you think would be the advantage for a sap sipping butterfly? Does it have some way to protect itself against the cold? Are the predators fewer this time of year?
I wonder.

Birdeye speedwell, Veronica persica. © D. Floyd
(This non-native species, common in urban yards, began blooming in C-ville on the 02-14-2011)

Mystery Grass

2011-01-19T10:35:00.006-05:00

Grasses are notoriously difficult to identify; nonetheless, this one is unusual enough that I hope someone out there can identify this grass.

It occurs in Albemarle County, on loop "L" at the Ivy Creek Natural Area and can get quite tall (over 6 feet). It has cane like stems with most of the leaves at the base of the plant, and few leaves on the stem itself. It has relatively broad blades (1 inch plus). It also has a distinctive long compact seed head with with fluffy airborne seeds. It reminds me of Saccharum giganteum, except the seed head is more translucent, and it grows in more upland dry areas. When back lit the seed heads seem to glow. It typically grows in colonies, but seems to be fairly uncommon and distinctive. The photographs you see are of a seed head I collected in Nelson county, of what I believe is likely the same species.
- Lonnie Murray

A Young Forest...4 inquiries

2011-01-06T22:21:00.020-05:00

We continue to explore the pines. Despite the beauty of the big and open woods to the south and west, despite plans to "turn right" at the trail split, this class of children continues to be drawn toward the young pines. Maybe it's the density of weedy growth, the multitude of habitats in this diverse and changing forest, or the fallen trees covering the ground. Maybe it's the unmistakable appearance of being young, vibrant and in transition. Whatever it is, today we found ourselves discovering new things, again.

Part I:
"How old is this forest?"
Right now the pines of this forest are making way for the next forest....a deciduous one. Maples, poplars, and oaks are beginning to reach high, shading out those pines. How long will it be before the pines are gone?
With trails being installed, many of the fallen trees have been cut. This reveals their rings! Those rings are like words on a page...they tell stories. Every year, a tree adds one layer of growth...one ring. If you count those growth rings, you will know how old the tree was when it died.
We counted rings, and here's what we found:

Cedar: 60 years
Pine: 36 rings
Pine: 36 rings
Pine: 25 years
Pine: 19 rings visible (exterior rings rotted away)
Pine: 11 rings visible (exterior rings rotted away)

There's a story in these numbers.
About 60 years ago, an Eastern Red Cedar sprouted. This probably happened in an open field and there were probably other cedars populating this field at the same time (cedars will quickly populate abandoned fields or pastures).
By around 36 years ago, Virginia and Short-leaf Pine trees were sprouting around the cedars. The field is beginning to look like a forest! In fact, it was probably so dense that you would have a hard time walking through it. Imagine tightly packed pine saplings with blackberry brambles filling the open spaces in between! I'll bet the critters loved this.
The pines kept growing. Deciduous trees began sprouting not too long after the pines appeared, and all of them are racing upward, reaching for light. Eventually, the deciduous trees will win the race. The pines will continue to fall until most or all are gone. Occasionally an old short-leaf pine will linger...and it will likely be the oldest tree in that forest.
Checking the historic record.
It looks like the tree rings are telling a fairly accurate story. See the aerial photos below.

Part II.
The Search for a new pine:
To date, Virginia Pine and Short-leaf pine have been discovered. The kids brought pine needle bundles to me fairly continuously. "Is this new?" "Is this different?". Most of the pine needles where in bundles of 2 and 3. But, a new discovery was made! Bundles of 5! (The Key Has been updated : LINK)

Part III.
Habitats within habitats.
There is evidence of all sorts of habitats, big and small.
Small: a leaf gall. A wintertime habitat for a wasp larvae.
Medium: a hole in the ground, below an old stump. The kids guessed that it was likely a groundhog hole. The perch above it inspired thoughts of a great-horned owl stalking the groundhog (Owls have been visiting this forest (an owl pellet was found a few weeks ago).
Large: the soil, the forest...it is one big living organism. The more we look, the more we find. The plants are dormant, and the animals secretive. But, even in winter, clues of their activity are everywhere! Habitats within habitats are everywhere!

Part IV.
An Odd Pod.
I knew what it was, and I knew it had been transported here by something. Sycamore trees grow where it's wet, near streams...not on dry hilltops! Sure enough, with a quick look around, there were no sycamores. This odd pod is comprised of hundreds of tiny seeds held together in the shape of a sphere. Squeeze them and Poof! I have a feeling we'll be in the land of sycamores by spring...down by the creek.

Pine Trees of Jackson-Via Elementary School

2010-12-26T11:35:00.026-05:00

A third grade class has begun exploring the pine tree diversity of the woods behind Jackson-Via Elementary school. Based on their recent findings the following key is being created. 2 species have been confirmed by the students thus far. The key is incomplete, as there might be other kinds of pine trees in those woods. However, I thought it would be good to share this work-in-progress as it is built. So, stay tuned! The missing parts will be filled as students discover trees on the grounds.

________________________
PINE TREE KEY , DRAFT

How do you know it is a pine tree?

The tree is a conifer, an "evergreen".
The leaves look like needles.
The needles are at least 1 inch long.

Pine trees typically have needles that come in bundles of 2,3, or 5. The number of needles per bundle can be very helpful in figuring out what kind of pine tree you're looking at.

2 NEEDLES PER BUNDLE

Needles 1-3 inches long: Virginia Pine, Pinus virginiana
Needles 3-5 inches long: Shortleaf Pine, Pinus echinata (bundles sometimes have three needles.)

3 NEEDLES PER BUNDLE

5 NEEDLES PER BUNDLE

Needles 3-5 inches long: Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus

Jackson-Via art blog also covering the explorations: http://jvartlady.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/great-connections/

Great Horned Owl, Secluded Farm trail

2010-12-25T18:01:00.012-05:00

Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus

On a Christmas evening stroll with Norah, in a deep woods getting wrapped with snow, we heard an owl. The forest gifted dazzling detail: a myriad of tiny glittering windows skyward, and black oak leaves silhouetted beneath our feet. The silence offered another sort of detail; a subtle hiss as ice crystals met millions of obstructions. Out of this icy whisper came a deep and rounded "hoo hoohoo...hoo hoo".

The time was 5:30pm, darkness was upon us. We were on the seasonal pond loop trail at Secluded Farm. We had just stepped out into the middle of a waterless pond, when the owl's call stopped us in our tracks. We hooted back and forth a few times (Norah's call was better than mine), and the bird came a bit closer. We were not afforded a glimpse of the large bird, but we were both very excited to hear this big predator so close to town! With the recent confirmed sightings of bobcats and bear (tracks) on Carter's Mountain, it is clear that this large forested tract of land supports a web of life that is exceptional.

Forest mix recognition, stop and count!

2010-12-22T17:00:00.003-05:00

Exploring a Piedmont Basic-Mesic forest
Soils that rest upon Catoctin greenstone (meta-basalt) substrate are generally known as "basic" soils. This word "Basic" is a confusing term!! I recently learned that it refers not only to the pH of the soil, but also to the soil's ability to hold nutrients!
Quoting the DCR: " The term "basic," as applied by DCR-DNH ecologists, refers high levels of base cation saturation rather than to soil pH, which analysis has proven to be a less reliable indicator of fertility and parent material. " This is a very important distinction, and in my mind it shifts priority away from predicting flora based on pH to relying more on understand geology, soil drainage regimes, aspect, and other factors.

Walking yesterday on Carter's Mountain (on the mountain trail) I was able to take in broad spans of landscape. The trees were leaf-less, and the ground was covered with snow. On this walk I paid attention to two things: tracks in the snow and percentages of tree species.
Mammal tracks were everywhere. Inspired by the recent bobcat sighting, my primary mission was to find bobcat tracks. This took me off-trail several times, as I followed paths that led to thickets, downed trees and rock outcrops. With some patience I found one locality where two muddy-pawed bobcats passed by. Their path sort of zig-zagged down the length of a log, showing that they crossed over it several times. Other tracks present were rabbit, squirrel, fox, and domestic dog. It was a complex scene! The tracks I followed suggested that two cats passed through, and more recently than the other animals. I also noticed that one of the bobcats is much smaller than the other. Notice in the photograph the small track inside of the big one.

After exhausting myself chasing bobcats, I shifted focus to the trees, and worked my way back to the trail. My intent was to practice recognizing changes in the forest mix, and begin to formulate hypotheses about why this is happening. The thing is, in the winter woods, changes can happen without any noticeable (to the layman) change in pattern. For example, it's really difficult to pick up on hickories changing in percentage from 25% to 10%, especially when more than ten other species are present and changing as well!

So, I zipped, slipped, and slid along the trail trying to keep my head upright and eyes in peripheral view mode. I was looking for anomalies, or indicators of change. I looked for places where the aspect shifted, the slope changed, and where the ground become more or less covered with boulders and outcrops. I was scanning for changes in the bark of the lower trunks of trees, variation in upper tree structure....alternate or opposite arrangement of stems, thick and straight, thin or wiry.

Upon rounding a corner and shifting to a north facing cove, a significant change occurred; but exactly what that meant, I did not know. I continued on and stopped at a point where the obvious shift had reached its maximum. In order to understand what type of change had occurred, I needed to count. I counted all species of trees that could be reasonably spotted from my viewing point(with the naked eye), using some larger trees as "corners" to a semi-rectilinear survey area.

Elevation: 920'-950'

Results, Area I (Ash 36% - Poplar 29% - Hickory 13%):
Upper and middle canopy, 80 trees: 29 white ash; 23 tulip poplar; 10 hickory species; 4 red oak species; 4 blackgum; 3 slippery elm; 2 ailanthus; 1 American hornbeam; 1 black walnut; 1 black cherry; 1 paulownia; 1 black birch.
Understory trees/shrubs saplings of the above and: dense groves of spicebush, scattered paw paw, scattered eastern flowering dogwood, sparse redbud, sparse black haw, very sparse witch-hazel

Ahead along the trail there was a bend, and a very clear change in forest mix. From my view I could tell that the ash and spicebush were nearly absent. So forward I marched. Within less than 50 years the landscape had changed. The most obvious change was a shift from North-facing slope to West-facing. A less obvious change was in what might be a shift in soil drainage, from semi-poorly drained (mesic-hydric) to well-drained (mesic). I figured a look at the new forest mix would shed light on these matters. So, again, I stopped and counted, using the same standards as before (which has a certain rate of error...I was eye-balling, and I could not ID one species...might be linden, and there were only a couple).

Results, Area II (Oak 43% - Hickory 21% - Poplar 17%):
Upper and middle canopy: 16 red oak species; 10 hickory species; 8 tulip poplar; 4 blackgum; 4 chestnut oak; 4 black cherry; 1 red maple
Understory trees/shrubs saplings of the above and dense witch-hazel, occasional redbud and dogwood

A few observations: Note that, in a very short distance (fifty yards), with a shift in aspect and soil drainage, the following occurred.

The forest changed from an Ash-Poplar forest (Ash 36% - Poplar 29%) to an Oak-Hickory forest (Oak 43% - Hickory 21%):
The understory underwent a total transformation, changing from Spicebush-Paw Paw to Witchhazel. (one unique thing about soils with a high base of cations is that the spicebush thickets will creep upslope out of the lowlands, following ephemeral streams and coves.)
Tulip poplar saw a sharp decline in numbers.
Ash went from being the dominate canopy tree to being totally absent!
Hickory remained somewhat stable (though a closer look at species might show changes in the pignut, mockernut, bitternut, red, percentages).
Diversity and numbers decreased dramatically.
Chestnut oak made its presence in Area II, indicating well drained rocky soils. It was absent in Area I, despite the obvious presence of rocks. I'd chalk this up to the presence of wetter and deeper soils in Area I.

Conclusions:
Abrupt and significant changes in forest mixes can happen over short distances, even when elevation and substrate are consistent. The aspect shifted 90 degrees, from North to West. While this was an important factor, my guess is that soil drainage regime was the primary force in determining both content and potential for tree diversity at this site. It is clear that the deeper alluvium/colluvium and the presence of an ephemeral stream and possible seasonal seeps had an impact. This spot probably gets run-off from the road and fields on the mountain-top, and this likely brings great volumes of water to the locality. Given that I was observing flora, it is likely that, in the warmer months of the year, the life in the ground cover (herbs, bryophytes, fungi, etc.) might express the diversity/content determining factors in a similar manner.

What Shrub is This?

2010-12-19T18:46:00.013-05:00

What type of shrub is this? Leaf bud arrangement, growth habit, and fruit suggest to me that this is a Viburnum species. Only a few V. species have bright red fruit in December (see the fruit images below).

Observation Notes:

Location: Western Albemarle County, Brinnington area, near the Mechums River

Elevation: 480-490 feet elevation

Substrate: Meta-siltstone bedrock; acidic clayey soils.

Aspect: South/ Southeast facing cove.

Soil drainage: mesic/hydric, poorly drained. Immediately adjacent to an ephemeral stream.

Habitat: Relatively gentle slope, low area, wet ephemeral stream-side. Dominant canopy trees in this young emerging forest are black cherry, red maple, Virginia pine, tulip poplar, black walnut; understory of dogwood, spicebush, a variety of vines (including Smilax species), and the Viburnum species in question. Many of the Viburnum shrubs are over eight feet tall, and the ground is covered with young shrubs, indicating that it has no problem germinating in this habitat. The colony of Viburnum is very well defined; it occupies an area that is on the edge of a forest and along a stream, with an open hillside field to the east. There are dozens of mature shrubs, and even more saplings. The area that this species occupies is about 300-350 feet long by 50 feet wide, stretched along the ephemeral stream.

If you have a guess, respond in the comments section below. Please explain the reasoning/sources behind your hypothesis. Thanks!

Sources reviewed in preparation for this inquiry:

Geologic map of Virginia, Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 1993
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/wwwmain.html
http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/
http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/WeakleyFlora2010Mar.pdf (***large file!!)

Pine Tree Inquiry

2010-12-15T17:00:00.009-05:00

On December 9, 2010, Mr. Hartline's class of third graders explored the forest behind Jackson-Via Elementary School. On that exploration, we noticed that a portion of the forest had lots of pine trees. Pine cones and needles littered the ground. The kids brought dozens of pine tree samples back to the classroom. (For a description of that outing: A School Yard Forest )

This week I returned to the school to join the kids in learning a bit more about the needles and cones they collected, and what that might say about their forest. Our hope was that these samples could help us figure out what kinds of pine trees grow there.

We began with some conversation and storytelling. We talked about the important role that art plays in science. Several examples were shared, including color and black and white illustrations. Doing a drawing is a great way to learn about an object (like a pine needle)..."getting it right" usually forces one to look closer and take note of detail. Drawings and paintings are also commonly used to share discoveries with others, convey something that is often difficult to get across with photographs, and to inspire others to take action.

We then explored the idea of “diversity”, what it means and why it is important. I used the “Smart Board” (which turned out to be not so "Smart") to illustrate the idea of forest succession, and how the school yard pine forest might have come to be. We also explored the future of the forest, and how it might change and why. The woods at Jackson-Via are very useful for teaching succession, as two stands of differently aged forests adjoin one another right at the trail head.

We quickly moved into using art as a tool for inquiry. Everyone picked some needles and cones and and illustrating began. The kids soon discovered the importance of detail and scale, if they were going to use their drawing to accurately convey the subject to another person. During this process of "learning to see", attention was drawn to the needles, and the fact that they all came in groups called “bundles”. This brought further detail to the drawings.

After everyone had ample time to draw needles, the entire class gathered around one table. All drawings were placed in the center of the table, and we began the process of sorting them into piles based upon differences and similarities. The first distinction made was differences in numbers of needles per bundle. We ended up with three piles, though almost all drawings ended up in the pile that was for “two needles” per bundle. We had a couple of examples of three, four, five and even more. (Having watched the illustrators do their work, I can say that these were mostly the result of lumped bundles and a couple of wonderfully abstracted drawings). Next, we divided the “two needle per bundle” pile according to needle length. This brought attention again to the importance of scale in illustration. We ended up with two categories: short needles and longer needles. The short needles were somewhat twisted and thicker than the longer ones.

I told the class how six species of pine trees were the most common in the area (loblolly, white, Virginia, shortleaf, pitch, and table mountain). With some research prior to this class visit I discovered that these are the most common native pine trees in the Charlottesville area. Only three of those local pine trees have two needles per bundle: table mountain, Virginia, and shortleaf(occasionally with three per bundle). After some discussion, we concluded that the two types of pines represented in our sample were shortleaf pine and Virginia pine. (table mountain is uncommon around Charlottesville, and is generally restricted to dry and rocky high elevation habitats in this area).

So, thus far the students have discovered at least two pine species on their school grounds, and it is very possible that there are more. Searching for more pine species will have to wait until the New Year! I think the next exploration might be, “Who thinks we can find another kind of pine tree in those woods?”.

Billion-Bug Highway

2010-12-14T19:36:00.005-05:00

A School Yard Forest

2010-12-09T18:00:00.003-05:00

There is a small forest behind Jackson-Via Elementary School. At first glance it looks like any other forest in the area. But, this one is special, as it has great diversity over short distances, making it a phenomenal outdoor classroom. The different kinds of trees located in different areas speak of different soils, changes in slope and aspect, and most significantly, a diverse history of human influence. The understory of shrubs and saplings and the lay of the land hint at the geology and soils below. This is an urban forest, surrounded by human activity: school to the north, Food Lion and parking areas to the east and southeast, housing to the west, and Interstate 64 to the South. It is a small island of life separated from the other forest corridors in the area.

The forest is full of trails, newly constructed and unfinished. As with most forests , this forest is full of mysteries and natural treasures. Forests are like a books filled with stories of the past and when one can recognize the clues that are available, the book can be read! From old farms and cattle fields to ancient oceans, old property lines to recent storm water damage, evidence of change is everywhere. There are clues about future events as well, as a rich pine forest plays host to oak, maple, beech and poplar saplings. A little glimpse of what I believe the future holds for this forest, and for the humans living around it, could be had in watching this group of young children get their feet muddy and hands dirty … getting closer to that which supports them, and asking "why?", "what?", and "how?".

Today we romped…literally. A class of third graders, under the guidance of “The Art Lady” (Eileen Butler) and myself, we launched into the forest to see what we could find. We were armed with a map provided by Chris Gensic of Charlottesville Parks and Trails (thank you!), journals, and a bunch of really cool reclaimed iPod cases.

Things we discovered, and topics explored:

Trees: The divide of the forest is easily recognized this time of year, with the East side being a mix dominated by coniferous (evergreen) trees….mostly Pine species. The west side of the forest is dominated by deciduous trees. The dividing line is right at the trail entrance, which is very very cool. We took note of the very rough and scaly bark of the pine trees as we entered the eastern forest. A variety of needles and cones covered the ground, and we guessed that maybe four different kinds of pine trees grew in these woods. How many kinds and what types of pines will be explored later. We encountered the “Hugging trees”, a maple tree intertwined with a pine….among the oddest things I’ve ever seen in the forest. They actually appear to be grown together at about 6 feet above the ground, separating again not too far up the trunks. Everyone looked up. We followed the trunks to the leaves. The smooth-barked maple had no leaves (deciduous!). Many of the kids gravitated toward another understory evergreen, the American Holly.

Dirt: On this gentle hilltop slope, we had a look at the soil. It was very rich, loose, and dominated by leaf compost down to about four inches. We filled a container with a sample of dirt and made haste for the lower area in the center of the forest. There, stream side, we gathered another sample of soil. Here we saw muck, and an ice-covered trickle. This wet fine-grained muck is home to different trees. Just up stream I could see green ash and poplar. A couple of kids found gigantic sycamore leaves.

Golf ball: A human has obviously been having some fun. The ball was relatively decomposed, which means it could be 10-20 years old. Imagine what the pines in this forest might have looked like when someone launched that ball into the woods.... all of these fast growing trees would have been much smaller.

Deer: White-tailed deer obviously use the same trails we were on. Hoof prints were frequent, and were first noticed by the students.

Christmas Fern: With other green plants missing (because it is winter), the Christmas Fern dominated the "green" foliage on the ground, especially close to the creek and on west facing slopes. This fern is called a Christmas fern for a couple of reasons: the small leaflets on the stem are shaped like stockings; and, the fern remains mostly green during the early winter months. For and interesting description of this fern, and poem, try : LINK

Our time was up, and we made a mad dash back to the school! One child grabbed my compass, and another my trowel. The kids in the front had the map; “east!” they yelled. And later “north!”. Some went on the trail, some off. Over logs, around piles of downed trees, and through briar thickets, we made our way back to the school. These trails are rough, as they are in the early stages of construction. Briars, stumps and sticks reach out and grab. This unmanacured trail network is very cool, and the kids seemed to love the challenge of navigating it (despite a couple of scratches and bruises!).

Jackson-Via pine tree inquiry. The conifer diversity in the East woods is intriguing!

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

2010-12-06T10:02:00.007-05:00

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

Photograph © Scott Jackson-Ricketts

I have been hearing yellow-bellied sapsuckers for some time this fall. They are beautiful little woodpeckers. The sapsucker nests predominantly in Canada, but also south of the Great Lakes and in New England south along the Appalachians to West Virginia. In the winter it is common in Virginia and the Southeast where it drills its characteristic ring of holes around the trunks and larger branches of trees. Large tulip poplar trees must have good sap: the sapsucker will drill a ring of holes through very thick bark of this tree. These holes do not ordinarily damage the tree but I have seen non-native trees such as the Japanese Snowbell and Japanese Black Pine damaged. The sapsucker has a substance in its saliva that keeps the sap of the tree from coagulating so that it (and other birds) can return again and again for a meal.

Most woodpeckers eat predominantly or entirely insects. Flickers and sapsuckers are the exception. Sapsuckers not only eat the sap, but also insects that are attracted to the sap. The protein content of insects is important in their diet.

The sapsucker has a very distinctive call, at times it almost sounds like a kitten. Once you learn it, you will hear it in our woods in the fall, winter and spring.

To hear the call of the sapsucker go to:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/sounds
The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology has wonderful on-line information about birds. Their site “All About Birds” is the easiest to use.

By Dorothy Tompkins — Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward

Bobcats at Monticello Trail

2010-11-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

I saw 2 bobcats at the Monticello Trail. They had tails that were about 3 inches long. It was 3:12 in the afternoon. I was with Papi. We were on the back trails up near the top of Carter's mountain. I said, " Look, Papi!" Papi looked up. He saw the bobcats too.

By Chistian Tessier
Drawings ©2010 Christian Tessier

Mushroom Challenge

2010-11-21T14:23:00.011-05:00

Commenters guessed: Scarlet Waxy Cap, Hygrocoybe coccinea

On a BRDC "Explorer's Club" outing today, an explorer found a mushroom patch in the forest. It was growing directly under an eastern red cedar, Virginia pine, and southern red oak tree (the trees overlap one another in the lower, middle and upper canopies). It was at a dry forested location at 410 ' elevation, and on a NW facing gentle slope with well drained acid soils. The mushrooms varied from 1 inch - 2inches tall, with a 1 inch cap.
The mushroom has not been identified yet.

What mushroom do you think it is? (If you have a guess, respond in the comments section below).

Pull out those ID books!
Or, as an alternative, explore these on-line resources:

Commenters guess: Scarlet Waxy Cap, Hygrocoybe coccinea

Giant Mystery Tree...Part IV

2010-11-15T18:58:00.010-05:00

Blackhaw, Viburnum prunifolium

A National record tree in Albemarle Co.?

Current State Record:
Circumference: 42
Height: 23
Crown: 30
Points: 72
Current National Record:
Circumference: 62 inches
Height: 26 feet
Spread: 35 feet
Points: 97
A group of nine returned to the recently discovered tree to get some more accurate measurements. Here's what we came away with:
Circumference: 76 inches
Height: 33 feet
Spread: 40 feet
Points: 119

(The formula for figuring points looks like this: Trunk Circumference + Height + 1/4 Average Crown Spread)
The rules for measuring say that trunk circumference must be measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, unless the trunk divides prior to that. In this case one is supposed to measure the narrowest point of the trunk and report the height above ground that the measurement was taken. In the case of our Giant Mystery Tree, the narrowest point of the trunk is at 10 inches above the ground.

Next steps? It is time to get final verification on the species, which requires sending off a sample of the leaves. The property owner and grounds manager will be contacted as well. While we wait on the final verdict, nomination forms will be prepared. Here are the three places that nomination forms will be sent:

National Database: http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/
State Database: http://www.fw.vt.edu/4h/bigtree/bigtree_search.cfm
Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/index.cfm

If our identification is confirmed, and if we've measured anywhere near correctly, Albemarle County is host to a National Champion Black-Haw!Prior articles:

Giant Mystery Tree...Part III

2010-11-11T15:13:00.006-05:00

The jury is in, this tree is definitely a Viburnum. On top of that, the original identification of "Black Haw" continues to ring true! Viburnum prunifolium.
Why is this exciting? Well, jeez. For a viburnum it is absolutely huge (with preliminary measurements pushing it above the national record!). Furthermore, this is a cool demonstration of how free-play in the outdoors under the guidance of someone that knows a bit about plants can lead to fascinating discoveries. A Blue Ridge Discovery Center exploration just might have lead to a state and national record tree...we shall see! I'm real happy the kids were given the freedom to discover this locality. I'm glad these free roamers were aloud to run ahead and I'm glad they found an interesting clump of old trees to play "fort" in!

The following is a short description of the detail that distinguishes our Black Haw (V. prunifolium) from other species of Viburnum:

=============================

Example #1: looking at “A Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians” by Robert Swanson (thanks Ruth D. for forwarding this info)

Within the viburnum section one eventually gets to the following distinguishing attributes for V. prunifolium (Smooth Black-Haw):

The leaves are finely toothed to entire, the lateral veins merging into a fine pattern of veinlets before reaching leaf margin.
The margins of leaves are distinctly and regularly toothed, the teeth pointing forward (toward leaf tip.
The leaves are thin, their upper surface dull green; petioles not rusty-wooly and without broad, wavy margin.

Example #2: According to the "Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, northern Florida, and surrounding areas" there are "about 150 species of Viburnum shrubs and small trees, largely temperate, and primarily in Asia and North America." In this publication they have listed 28 species growing in the above defined geographic region. Working through the key for these 28 species, the Giant Mystery Tree has the following attributes:

Leaves are unlobed and pinnately veined.
Lateral veins are curving and branching repeatedly through most of their length, not noticeably parallel, the lateral veins becoming obscure in the general pattern of anastamosing veins and not obviously leading to marginal teeth
Leaves serrulate, the teeth > 5 per cm of margin.
Leaves acute, obtuse, or rounded (rarely somewhat acuminate) at the tip
Leaves herbaeous in texture, dull above; petioles and veins (lower surface) glabrous or slightly brown-scurfy;[widespread in our area, usually in bottomland or other mesic forests]

These attributes distinguish V. prunifolium from the other species. So again, this key points to Black-haw, Viburnum prunifolium.

=============================

Part II of this "Giant Mystery Tree" series had lots of detailed photographs, and the story has been zipping around the state to various tree officials. Everyone supports the notion that this tree is Viburnum prunifolium. With the confirmation of this many expert voices, I think it is time for the discovery crew to revisit, take some measurements, and send in nomination forms for this tree.
Several people have asked to visit the tree, and I think we'll get to that real soon. Thanks for all your input and interest! Keep those fingers crossed, Albemarle Co. might have a champion on its hands!

Giant Mystery Tree...Part II

2010-11-08T19:56:00.025-05:00

That's Eva, used for scale. She's four years old.

And now for a closer look at this amazing tree (For Part I of this story: LINK):

Preliminary size statistics

Average canopy spread (drip-line): 41 feet
Approximate height (improvised clinometer): 26 feet
Minimum trunk circumference: 77 inches

Leaves. Thankfully, a few leaves remain on the tree. The leaves are simple, as opposed to compound(like walnut or sumac), they are finely toothed, and the larger of the leaf blades above are 2 1/4 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide. Notice also that the leaf blade tapers to the petiole (the tiny stalk that attaches the blade to the stem) and from there continues down the sides of the petiole in narrow strips. So, the petiole is slightly winged.

Branches and stems. Looking up at the limbs of the tree, notice that stems and leaf buds are arranged in an “opposite” pattern. This simply means that two leaves or stems are attached at the same location, but opposite one another and on either side of the stem. Also interesting is the regular angle at which the stems branch out.

Flower buds. Flower and leaf buds are noticeable at the ends of the stems. I looked inside of one bud; the swollen buds contain tiny immature clusters of next year’s white flowers. Notice the conspicuous appearance of the bud as it extends to a point. The leaf buds are more slender, as they don’t contain florets. The stems and buds are hairless, and upon cutting the stem a hexagonal pith is revealed.

Fruit. The fruit is nearly black, 1/4" -1/2" long, and hangs in drupes. Only a few drupes remain on the tree, but fruit and seeds are easily found amid the grass under the tree. The flesh of the fruit is dark colored and quite sweet. A flat ovate seed is found in the center.

Leaf Scars. Notice the narrow leaf scars on the stem. Last year’s leaves have fallen, revealing three bundle scars in each leaf scar. Each tiny little bundle scar represents a “cross-section of vascular bundles that ran from the branch into the petiole when the leaf was attached” (Oregon St. Herbarium).

Bark. The bark of the tree is grayish brown and broken into small vertically oriented rectangles. The image below is nearly two feet across.

Tentative conclusions: This is probably some sort of Viburnum species. Any objections?

**This is Part two in a series of articles describing this tree.
Here are links to the other articles:

Sources: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/Plant%20ID-Leaves.htm

Giant Mystery Tree...Part I

2010-11-08T14:27:00.013-05:00

Do you know what this tree is? I do not, yet. I am in the process of learning more. I'll share the inquiry along the way and provide images and clues that should lead to an ID. If you have any ideas, please let me know!

On October 30, a group of 17 people went to Kemper Park to pick some autumn olive berries. We plundered the fruit of these invasive species for nearly two hours. When our baskets, bags and bellies were full, the amorphous group of strolling, sprinting, hiding and playing children and adults began to migrate toward the parking area.

With kids ranging from 4-8 in age and big fields containing irresistible little islands of vegetation, our return walk was long. Some kids launched ahead of the group, and a couple lingered behind…those die hard berry pickers with dreams of fruit leather filling their heads. As we made our way through the field we passed several gigantic trees. An old catalpa caught my attention, and a couple of cedars that must be two hundred years old lurk among the old field trees.

The adults were doing what adults do…walking and discussing everything from parenting to politics. The kids up ahead had gathered in their “fort”. It was a formidable fortress, closely guarded by poison ivy vines and fruit. The roof, a canopy of dogwood with leaves in full color, drooped down to the ground on one side. Suspended from it were grape vines, forming a perfect swing. As the tree shook and swayed under the forces of free play, poison ivy berries rained down. They loved it. The adults stopped and sat in the sun. We were there for maybe 20 minutes.

While sitting, a couple of us noticed something odd. It was a tree, next to the old dogwood "fort". A giant one with unusual form. It must have been passed by a thousand times and mistaken for an apple tree. The closer we looked, the more we realized, this may be a special one.

Very rough checkered and furrowed bark clings to a trunk that branches into several parts at about 3 feet above the ground. These branches arch way up to a height of maybe 25 feet and continue out and down, nearly touching the ground. Getting closer, the stems and leaves were arranged in an opposite pattern (meaning that a pair of leaves grows so that each leaf is exactly opposite the other, on the other side of the stem). This clue alone meant that it was not an apple tree (nor any other member of the rose family). From way down on the ground we could see occasional little black berries, and the few leaves that were present were finely toothed. Look at the structure of this tree. What does it look like to you?

Need advice about my Common Buckeye chrysalises

2010-10-31T12:28:00.005-04:00

Dear Mr. Floyd,

I am not sure how I can ask a question of Mr. Clyde Kessler in response to his Oct. 15 blog posting, 2010: Year of the Common Buckeye.

I read in his posting that you too are familiar with this butterfly species. May I please ask some questions which perhaps you or Mr. Kessler can answer?

Because of their great numbers this summer, I "discovered" the Buckeye life cycle ALL OVER our rural property. They were even pupating on car tires, door, and window jambs which I needed to close. I could no longer abide the repeated sight of stink bugs sucking from the chrysalises (under my nose) so I have reared caterpillars and chrysalises (in separate containers) indoors for weeks now. I am distraught to learn that Buckeyes cannot overwinter here in any life cycle stage!!! I live in Bedford County, Virginia. What should I do with the 10 chrysalises I still have on hand, 3 indoors, 7 outdoors...all in containers? The two nights we experienced frost here I brought the 7 outdoor chrysalises inside for the night. I am concerned if they mature and emerge they will not be able to 1. fly to migrate, 2. will encounter freezing night temperatures on the way. Is there a way to suspend the maturation of these 10 by keeping them in my frig until spring? What do you suggest I do with them?

Thank you for your time and ANY advice/suggestions you have to offer.

-Debra

"If You Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em!"

2010-10-30T14:50:00.015-04:00

The Ferocious and Delicious Autumn Olive.
October 30, 2010

Blue Ridge Discovery Center hosted a very casual fruit picking event at Kemper Park just south of Charlottesville, Va..
17 adults and children marched off into the woods in search of the meadow of fruit. Our target was a late fruiting shrub known as Elaeangus umbellata, or more commonly, Autumn Olive. You can see where it gets its name, as it makes pea sized succulent red fruit late in the season. Most of you know by now that this shrub is a primary target for eradication, as it is a non-native invasive species that degrades native habitats.

The focal point of this gathering was picking berries. The conversations that took place while children ran, picked, ate and played were focused on the dichotomy this shrub presents. It is a very nutritious and abundant food source, and the berries are easy to harvest and process. But, a variety of non-human animals like it also. They eat the berries, it passes through their guts, and the seeds are dropped ready to germinate. This nitrogen fixing shrub has spread like wildfire since it was introduced to the United States in the mid 1800's.

Why is this a problem? Well, on the face of it the shrub appears to provide abundant food and excellent shelter for a variety of wildlife. Short-term, this is excellent, and I imagine that some sort of food-web spike happened upon its introduction. But, as animals begin to rely upon it they rely less upon what was likely a more diverse autumn diet of native plants. So, all of the sudden native species that grow in poor soils and that produce late autumn fruit and seeds saw a fierce competitor...competition for space, and competition for seed spreading mechanisms. One conclusion here might be that while their might have been a spike in numbers and diversity of wildlife at the onset (over a hundred years ago), there is now probably a sharp decline in biodiversity that is associated with this Asian shrub.

Solutions? There aren't any, really. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has recommendations for how to manage this invasive species: LINK (PDF). It is quite possible that this shrub is just too aggressive to actually manage on a broad scale, and this has been demonstrated. So, efforts to keep it at bay are undertaken on the small scale, in bits and pieces. This is an uphill battle also, because the shrub returns as soon as one lets their guard down.

Consider this: Picking berries as a conservation effort? When one removes berries from a shrub, this has impact on the availability of the fruit. As one BRDC staff puts it, it is about percentages. Less fruit available means an overall reduction in the number of new shrubs. The problem is, it actually appears that wildlife cannot even keep up with the fruit production. Every year droops of berries fall to the ground and rot after a heavy freeze. I would guess that the majority does not even get eaten by animals larger than say, a vole. So, while we can remove a good portion of berries from the shrub, the amount still available will still easily feed the animals that currently utilize the shrub, which means that picking the berries is not a meaningful way of managing autumn olive shrub populations. Oh well. Bring your best argument for or against.

Delicious and nutritious. The fresh fruit has a sweet tart kick (think cranberry with more sugar). There is a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste that is mellowed by the sugar of the next bite. When processed, however, the fruit immediately looses its bitterness and becomes a super sweet treat.
USDA is experimenting with this shrub in order to test it as a sustainable food crop in the United States (a sterile genetic strain, I presume). Remember, it can grow anywhere...poor and degraded agricultural soils included. It needs very little water and no fertilizer. It can grow in soils that no longer have the ability support other crops.
Why might they be experimenting with this? Well, ....here:
Nutrition:

Serving size: 100g(1/2 cup) Calories196
Protein: 3 grams
Vitamin A : varying amounts from shrub to shrub
Vitamin C: 9 mg
Lycopene: The berries contain the same carotenoids as tomato: lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. The big difference is in the lycopene levels. They range from 15 to 54mg per 100g, compared to an average 3mg/100g for fresh tomatoes, 10mg/100g for canned tomatoes, and 30mg/100g for tomato paste.

If you would like to give it shot, here are some recipes we have compiled. You may disregard the addition of sweetener in the fruit roll-ups.....the fruit truly stands on its own! RECIPES (PDF)
So, we picked...and picked some more. I'd guess that a total of 5 gallons of berries were harvested in about two hours. And this does not include the gallon or so that was eaten while picking! We are making fruit leather, jam, and eating them by the hands-full. And while we are out there picking, we encountered all sorts of extraordinary things, like a gigantic catalpa tree, a beautifully positioned wasp nest, lots of praying mantis egg cases and crab spiders on the autumn olive shrubs....to name a few. And sometimes, when you are engaged in one thing, other things are discovered. Actually, this is the common occurrence in the outdoors...the standard that we all love. Upon our walk back to the parking area the kids discovered a lovely little island of old field trees with grape vine swings and a canopy of poison ivy berries (yikes, I know). In that island were a couple of really old trees, a dogwood and a strange old "fruit tree". As the kids played, a couple of us were pulled closer to this old tree. When we got closer, we realized we had something special... and it's not a standard "fruit tree" like crab apple or cherry. It's leaf arrangement and end buds made us think it was a viburnum. And then we saw the fruit...small oval black droops. And so the inquiry is on. Could this be a Black Haw? If so, that would be quite a discovery! Stay tuned for more on this amazing tree.

__________________________________________________

BRDC and its followers have been harvesting and sharing the autumn olive fruit for over a year now. Here are some articles reviewing past pickings and sharings:

Early blooming Witch-hazel

2010-10-25T13:58:00.010-04:00

Hamamelis virginiana
Witch-hazel

Hamamelis Virginiana or common Witch-hazel usually blooms in November after the leaves have fallen from this shrub or small tree but this year numerous trees have been seen in bloom in Bundoran in mid October. The reason for this early blooming is not known. Witch-hazel is native from southern Quebec south to Georgia and west to just beyond the Mississippi River. Native Americans used its branches as dousing rods to locate underground water and to make bows. The term “ witch” probably derives from wych, an Anglo-Saxon term meaning bendable branches. The extract witch-hazel is distilled from the bark of young shoots and roots and used as an astringent or in lotions.

Witch-hazel flowers are yellow star-like with four petals and in small clusters along the ends of twigs. Botanists assume that the late blooming evolved to take advantage of bees and flies who are still active but have little to eat at this time of the year. Even though pollination occurs in late fall, fertilization of the ovules does not occur until the following spring, at which time the fruits begin to develop and remain on the shrub until that fall. The name Hamamelis means “ together” and “ fruit” referring to the presence of flowers and fruits on the plant at the same time. The capsules of the fruits split open explosively scattering the seeds far from the parent shrub. The capsules remain on the plant for months, making identification of the shrub easier.

The leaves of witch-hazel may be rolled into cylinders by the larvae of witch-hazel leaf-roller moth. They appear to do little harm to the plant. These larvae are small and difficult to see.

Native witch-hazel is grown as a landscape plant and makes a bright display of color of the leaves in the fall. Since it is native it is a part of our natural ecosystem, probably providing much more than food for late pollinators and the leaf-roller moth and for those animals that like the seeds.

By Dorothy Tompkins,
Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward
Photographs © Devin Floyd

For another account of Witch-hazel, and an opportunity to compare blooming times accross different eco-regions: Witch-hazel in Wildwood

The Common Buckeye

2010-09-22T23:56:00.015-04:00

Buckeye butterfly, Junonia coenia

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae)
Subfamily: True Brushfoots (Nymphalinae)
Genus: Junonia
Species: Junonia coenia

This September, in a school yard on Cutler Lane in Charlottesville, VA, a small patch of autumn joy has attracted hundreds of buckeyes. On sunny days they come in droves to this pink nectar source...and they are not alone. Skippers and cabbage white butterflies and bees and wasps ...they all jump in for a sip. If you tip toe you can get real close. They are so distracted by the nectar that one may even be able to touch the hairy back of a butterfly...or even pick one up! Given the unusual volume and concentration of buckeyes in the schoolyard, I thought I'd do a little digging to learn more about the natural history of this cool critter. Here's what I found:

A global perspective:
There are between 30-35 species of Junonia related butterflies (including buckeyes, pansies, commodores and leaf butterflies) in the world, and they live on every single continent but Antarctica. They all have very similar patterns including bars and eye spots, but their colors can vary widely from species to species. Research shows that the common buckeye (Junonia coenia) may have come into existence in the early Miocene, about 15-20 million years ago (the height of the mammals, and birth time of the Himalayas and the Rockies). This was a time in which the earth was in a period of extreme global warming.. In fact, the ocean flooded the land all the way inland to the fall line (Richmond) for much of the early Miocene.

If you get the itch to learn more about the evolutionary history of this family of butterflies (which includes several other Genus groups), you might begin here:

http://nymphalidae.utu.fi/Nymphalidae/Nymphalinae/timing.htm

For a map of North America during the early Miocene:

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~rcb7/namNm15.jpg
For a description of the climate during the Miocene:
http://www.palaeos.com/Cenozoic/Miocene/Miocene.htm
　
Distinguishing features:

The upper side of the wings is mostly brownish, and you'll find two orange bars on each forewing. This butterfly has eight beautiful 'eyespots' on the top of the wings. The underside of the wings are brownish, and they can turn a rosy red in the fall. One of the easiest ways to get to know the buckeye from the distance is by observing its flittering flight pattern. The light colored band on each forewing is also readily noticeable from the distance, as it stands in contrast to the dominate brown colors.

Habitat:
I have seen this butterfly nearly everywhere this year, in habitats ranging from urban to rural, mountain to coastal, concrete to forests. Typically (I think this year was an extraordinary year for them) they are found at roadsides, railways and embankments, in fields and meadows, on shorelines and and swamp edges. In other words, they prefer open areas, human created or not.

Predators:
It is likely that many critters try to consume the caterpillar and adult butterfly. However, most of its host plants contain chemical toxins, which greatly increases the survival rate of the caterpillar. The adult has a somewhat startling behavior in the way it opens and closes its wings, and the eyespots serve as a startling mechanism. So, birds and predatory insects have probably contributed greatly to the evolution of this insect... thus we end up with a boldly patterned butterfly and a caterpillar that eats toxic plants. The less startling and toxin-free relatives of this species are extinct....lost in the distant evolutionary past, picked off by predators! But, there's always a twist...and just as the buckeye has adapted to predator pressures, some predators just aren't startled. The robber fly is known to be one of these (it also consumes spiders, yellow-jackets, and other animals with toxins)!

Food for the caterpillar (host plants): The adult butterfly searches for specific plants to lay its eggs on. If it targets the wrong plants, the hatched caterpillars won't have food. The caterpillars prefer plants of the snapdragon, plantain, and acanthus families. While these names might not be that familiar to you, most of them are local native wildflowers and weeds. In fact, If you wish to attract buckeye caterpillars consider planting the following plants, native to central Virginia and the larger middle-eastern states region: Butter and eggs, also known as Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris); Largebracted plantain (Plantago aristata), Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Blackseed plantain (Plantago rugelii), Virginia plantain (Plantago virginica), Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis), Pursh's wild petunia (Ruellia purshiana)
If you ask for the native Plantains at the garden center, you might get laughed at....this is one of the more common weeds in your yard (and one of the targets of those aweful weed control fertilizers). The plantains are fairly aggressive, and seem to maintain themselves fairly well. You might go in the direction of planting less aggressive and more showy native species. My recommendations would be butter and eggs, which provides large and beautiful buttery yellow flowers, and Carolina wild petunia. The Carolina wild petunia is a wonderful wildflower for the garden, as it has a showy purple flower and is very drought tolerant.
　
Food for the butterfly (choice nectar plants):
A few of this butterfly's favorite nectar sources are aster, chickory, tickseed sunflower, dogbane, mint and other local native species. You will also find them enjoying a variety of non-native species including showy varieties of stonecrop and budlea. They aren't real picky, so this presents a wonderful opportunity to increase the color and diversity of your gardens....and, I would recommend highly all of the native plants listed above. They are beautiful, low-maintenance and support an extraordinary amount of wildlife.
　
Life history:
During the day the males like to sit on the ground or on really low vegetation to watch for females. This is a great time to observe them, as they will jump up periodically and chase other insects or to just snoop around. Females lay eggs on the underside of leaves of the host plants listed above.
　
Range:
The buckeye's range is large, and it is a year round resident in the southern portions of the United States. The adults of the first generation each year move northward populating most of the United States and Southern Canada (with the exception of high elevation reaches of the Rockies). They migrate southward in thick droves in autumn. In the mid-Atlantic states you can see this butterfly from March to October.
　

Sources:

www.plants.usda.gov
www.butterfliesandmoths.org
www.wikipedia.org
www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/

The Red Admiral and Question Mark

2010-09-22T22:52:00.010-04:00

For a rare and up close look at the beautiful and elusive Red Admiral and Question Mark butterflies:

Go to the Jefferson-Madison library on Market Street, in Charlottesville, right away! Upon approaching the front of the library, visit the medium sized white oak tree to the left of the steps.

This oak tree has a small wound at the base of its trunk. The wound is fizzing, bubbling, and spewing a yummy concoction...yummy to insects anyway. It must be a mix of sugars and minerals. When you find it, just sit. Red admirals and question marks visit the sipping spot regularly. They have been there all day, every day, for at least a week!

If you stand under the tree, and scan the middle and upper branches you'll begin to see several butterflies perching. They alight upon the branches between sippings. You will have to look closely and patiently, as the butterflies are camouflaged and look like dried leaves and bark when in resting position.

European hornet, Vespa crabro

Be sure to take care, and watch from a comfortable distance. Frisky yellow jackets and quarrelling giant hornets will be there as well. A wide variety of big and small flies enjoy the treat, but a few of them become treats...as they are snatched by jumping spiders that lurk around the edges of the wound. What an amazing little habitat and food web!

Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta.

A little urban butterfly diversity

2010-09-15T13:48:00.032-04:00

By now all of you know that it has been a wonderful year for butterflies. Well, right now we are witnessing the grand finale! Have you noticed that our state butterfly, the eastern tiger swallowtail, is nearly absent here as autumn approaches?... and that a fast and flittering boldly-patterned butterfly known as the 'buckeye' is visiting your flowergardens? The seasons are changing, and southbound monarchs trace our long and straight highway corridors, the concrete lines heading south....Route 29 has a rush hour going on at about 30 feet off the ground!!!

What have you seen in your yard, or around town? Sometimes less common species make their presence with a quick passing, or maybe their colors or behavior camouflage them from your view. Have a look around, and take care to look in a variety of places...the micro habitats in your yards...sunny spots, shady havens, in the grass, in the tree canopy, on gravel or soil. With a little patience, you will be rewarded with a wonderful variety of colors, patterns, and sizes!

Species observed in September, in our tiny yard along Hinton Avenue, in Charlottesville, VA:

hackberry butterfly
giant swallowtail
great spangled fritillary
American lady
variegated fritillary
tiger swallowtail
monarch
cabbage white
buckeye
silver spotted skipper
black swallowtail
common checkered-skipper
sachem skipper
duskywing skipper sp.
red-banded hairstreak
question mark
orange sulphur

Earlier in the year we were visited by these additional species:

zebra swallowtail
spicebush swallowtail

*It may be worth noting that two years ago in late summer, we were flooded with gulf fritillaries. We have not seen them since (and yes, we do still maintain a healthy stand of their host plant, passion flower):

Late summer magic at Riverview Park

2010-09-08T23:53:00.004-04:00

PHOTO FEATURE:

Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens sp.)

Photographs taken by Tony Russell at Riverview Park,
Charlottesville, VA. September 7, 2010

There's a Giant in Town!

2010-09-02T21:30:00.007-04:00

Giant Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes.

Photograph in public domain, author unknown.

The Giant Swallowtail is the largest butterfly in the United States. In fact, some sources have documented the female reaching wingspans of nearly 7.5 inches. Keep your eyes out. The timing may be right for a sighting! I saw one in Belmont.

This was my first encounter with this species. Much to my surprise I spotted it dancing across our yard this morning. It was moving fast. It sipped from a butterfly bush in our front yard for about ten seconds, and headed east along Hinton Avenue (downtown, Charlottesville).

Populations are known to be quite scattered and unpredictable the farther north you go. Their flight range is quite broad, covering much of the Eastern United States. However, their host plants are limited to specific areas, and the butterfly is mostly seen in the mountains west of town (in our region). It frequents citrus groves in the south (considered a pest in some circles!).

All of its host plants are relatively unfamiliar to me:

>A variety of citrus trees

>Common rue Ruta graveolens

>Common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata

>Common pricklyash Zanthoxylum americanum

For a full description of this butterfly, visit this site: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1366

Field sketchbook class #2, August 28th

2010-09-01T20:32:00.007-04:00

We met at Ivy Creek for the second field sketchbook class. It was a cooler morning and we spent time sketching under the walnut tree (with larvae of some sort crawling through the nuts) while documenting the insects visiting the Verbesina alternifolia (wingstem), the colorful berries of the Phytolacca americana (pokeweed), the soft stem of Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac), and the delicate blue tube flower of Ipomea hederacea (ivy-leaved morning glory).

Article Reviewing Field sketchbook class #1: LINK

Polyphemus moth...those "eyespots"

2010-08-20T00:34:00.010-04:00

Going to the market, my spouse and children stumbled upon a giant fuzzy winged creature. They returned home with all sorts of questions. The puzzle was whether it had been a moth or a butterfly, and what kind. So, with all our guesses and guide books exhausted, little Eva and I returned to the site with our hypotheses. We walked two blocks...my 3 year old lead the way...and remembered exactly which tree it was on. "There it is!", she exclaimed with pride and excitement. And, what a treasure indeed.... a gigantic, plump, fuzzy, and colorful female moth.

She remained quite still, with wings pressed back firmly. She appeared to be resting, and maybe her wings were still expanding and drying after a twilight emergence from a silken cocoon (she exhibited a posture similar to Luna moths I've observed during emergence, and her wing tips were still a bit moist and wavy). She had very delicate and detailed antennae, and was covered with reddish brown fuzz, the exact same reddish brown visible on the exposed inner bark of the tree behind her. She was certainly a moth, and we could tell she was a "she" by the size of those antennae....they were rather small...much smaller than the receptive fans the males carry around.

Antheraea polyphemus

Her belly was huge. It really looked like it was going to burst. We concluded that this very evening would be the evening she laid her eggs in the tree above. She might place a few here and there, on the underside of the leaves. Her offspring will voraciously consume leaves, and chop them off at their petioles after eating each one, a behavior that apparently helps prevent predators from detecting the caterpillars' presence. Her tree of choice was a Northern Red Oak, one of many potential host plants for this moth's young, .

We watched, and pondered her very short and focused adult life....living not more than a week in moth form, and not feeding (no mouth parts!). We pondered how the caterpillars would consume nearly 80,000 times their body weight, an essential step in preparing for the pointed task of reproduction as an adult moth.

With some patience, and some encouragement, the wings began to open and spread flat against the tree. Her attempt to spook us (predators) made us say "Wow!".

Those spots were striking. "Owl eye mimicry" has been the frequently used phrase. Well recently, studies demonstrated different reasons for the eyespot patterns...

Conspicuousness, not mimicry.

It appears that these patterns are there to distract, startle, and misdirect the attacking predator. In fact, if you touch the back of the moth it will either expose its bright "eyespots" by spreading the wings wide or quickly snap the wings shut on your finger. Both responses are quite startling.

It is enthralling to consider the long evolutionary history of attack, evasion, and mutation that might result in such distinct patterns and behaviors.

I wonder... when, in the distant geo-ecological past, was this genetic variety selected for? I also wonder how many thousands of beautiful varieties we are missing today because they were selected against!

For an overview of recent findings on "eyespot" mimicry, read this fascinating article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221090250.htm

Got Cuckoo's ?

2010-08-13T12:32:00.003-04:00

Have you noticed a spike this year, as opposed to last year's drought impacted summer?

I remember going on a walk last year up here in central VA and Peter Dutnell, farmer and birder, pointed out the connections between a dry year, insect populations, and canopy and field foraging birds. Well, it's been a wet year (compared to the drought years of late). The lepidoptera are teaming, and the fields and forests are buzzing and hopping.

What say the yellow-bills in your area?

Bird Notes by Dorothy Tompkins - Yellow-billed cuckoo

2010-08-13T10:21:00.005-04:00

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO

Coccyzus americanus

More than one resident of Bundoran has noted the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo recently. They have been calling their hollow wooden calls ka-ka-ka-ka-kow-kow-kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp from many sites in the forests or the forest edge. This secretive bird has an unusual breeding pattern, with breeding correlated with an abundant food supply and a very rapid breeding cycle. From egg-laying to fledgling of the young takes only 17 days, and breeding occurs from April well into August. Since they are so vocal at this time one can speculate that the recent rains have brought out their favorite foods: large insects such as katydids, grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets and caterpillars. I did not hear these cuckoos much during the drought.

The yellow-billed cuckoo arrives from its winter stay in Central America in April and breeds through out central and eastern US. It prefers open woodland with clearings and some low dense vegetation, usually with water nearby. It is generally absent from urban areas.

The yellow-billed cuckoo has been called “the rain crow” but its proficiency as a rain predictor has never been shown. This cuckoo is known for its “skulking” behavior; when perched it avoids movement, sits with its back hunched to conceal its white breast and belly and disappears into the foliage when disturbed. It is much more likely to be heard than seen. When spotted, its distinctive tail pattern is quite pretty: the outer feathers (rectrices) are tipped with white giving the appearance of six large white spots on the under surface, The bright rufous wing primaries are a lovely color. The moderately long curved, stout bill is mostly yellow with the upper mandible black.

The yellow-billed cuckoo has declined significantly in the US and used to be common in the west, but has virtually disappeared from those states. This disappearance seems to be due to destruction of riparian habitats from agriculture, flood control and urbanization. The yellow-billed cuckoo, like other cuckoos may lay eggs in other bird’s nests. Most often it is in another yellow-billed cuckoo’s nest. Generally they seem to use their own nest, and the incidence of brood parasitism is not known.

It’s call can be heard at www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-billed_Cuckoo/sounds

Dorothy Tompkins — Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward