Trees Are Key

Trees Are Key

By Paul JohnsonEducation
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Trees Are Key episodes

  • Students Are Key
    Students are Key
    Last week we talked about the future and this week we’re talking about the future professionals that will care for our trees and forests. Join us this week as we talk about how “Students Are Key” and how we can invest in the future now.
    Species Spotlight
    Carolina Buckthorn, Frangula caroliniana
    Listen this week to learn more about this small tree that provides food for birds and interesting fall color for us.
    11 min
  • The Future Is Key
    The Future Is Key
    We’ve talked a lot about the concept of time in previous podcast. Arboriculture is the art of applying the science of trees over time and learning is all about taking the lessons from the past and applying them to the now, but what about the future?
    Our actions now will have an impact of the future and the future will have an impact on us.
    Join us this week as we talk about why and how “the future is key” and how to prepare for it.
    Species Spotlight
    Black hickory, Carya Texana, has the western most native range in Texas, other than pecan. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about this Texas native.
    12 min
  • Slenderness Ratio is Key
    Slenderness Ratio is Key
    Pruning is very much an art and science. We seem to get a little bit more research each year, yet we have a hard time affecting change to reduce the incidence of topping and the insidious lion’s tailing.
    “Cleaning” out the interior leaves and branches was somewhat standard 20 years ago, but we now have research that shows this is a bad practice. There are a couple of reasons you shouldn’t lion’s tail your trees. Listen to “Slenderness Ratio is Key” to find out.
    Species Spotlight
    Gum Bully, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, is a great Texas native tree that can be mistaken for live oak. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about this cool tree.
    11 min
  • Research Is Key
    Research Is Key
    I like to define arboriculture as the art of applying the science of tree care over time. Ask two arborist how to do something and you are likely to get at least two answers. This is the art of arboriculture. It’s not as easy as fold along the dotted line, place tab B in slot A and wait for a known result.
    People have been managing trees as long as there have been people, but we rarely know what the result will be.
    Luckily for us, we know more about the science of tree care than we did 50, 20 or even 10 years ago.
    Research is how we expand our knowledge. Join us for “Research Is Key” and get a bonus 'peek' at the ISA Arborist News podcast.
    24 min
  • Keys to Ball Moss
    Keys to Ball Moss
    From kudzu to grape vine, there are many plants that can cause problems by growing on and over our trees. We are regularly asked if ball moss, a relative of Spanish moss, is hurting the trees. Join us this week as we discuss the keys to ball moss.
    Species spotlight
    White fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is a deciduous Texas native. While this is a beautiful flowering tree, it can harbor a tree harming insect, the emerald ash borer. Tune in to learn more about this tree and why it might not be the best choice for your backyard.
    9 min
  • Trees Are Key to Energy Savings
    It’s getting to be that time of year – when we all turn on our air conditioner. I always hate to turn it on because our electric meter starts running faster. A few key trees allow us to delay turning on the unit and helps us keep the use to a minimum. Listen this week to learn how #TAK to energy savings.
    Species Spotlight
    With many unique forms and leaf colors, Japanese maple is a beautiful, but temperamental landscape specimen in Texas. Listen to this episode of #TAK to learn more.
    11 min
  • Is Age Key?
    Is Age Key?
    One of the toughest questions we’re asked is, “how old do you think this tree is?” I don’t think many of the questioners want to cut down their tree to counts its rings, nor do they want to pay for carbon dating.
    Join us this week as we talk about how to determine a trees’ age and try to determine if age is key.
    Species Spotlight
    This week’s tree, Chinkapin Oak(Quercus muehlenbergii), is a great planting choice for alkaline soils. Not only does it have a uniquely shaped leaf, but the acorn is edible when roasted. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this cool tree.
    13 min
  • Keys to Houston's Forest
    Keys to Houston’s Forest
    Trees are key to healthier, happier, safer communities and tree inventories and assessments are key to better management. We’ve talked about the urban forest inventory and assessment program in episode 64 and now we have a new city in My City’s Trees. Listen this week to learn more about Houston’s urban forest.
    Species Spotlight
    River Birch Betula nigra
    This week’s species spotlight is a beautiful tree that provides visual interest year-round. Listen to learn more about this Texas native.
    12 min
  • Keys to Municipal Forestry
    Keys to Municipal Forestry
    We have spent the last two years talking about arboriculture, forestry and urban forestry, but this week let’s talk a bit more about municipal forestry.
    How can our communities care for and manage our urban forest? What can and should your community be doing to help keep us safe and healthy? We answer these questions on this episode of #TreesAreKey
    Species Spotlight
    Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, can be a tough nut to crack. This slow growing Texas native has edible fruit, beautiful wood, a natural herbicide, and it is a slow grower. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more.
    10 min
  • Volunteers Are Key
    Volunteers are Key
    The impact volunteers can have is amazing. Often they are willing to contribute in big ways even when they are not being paid. Listen to this episode as we talk all about how volunteers are key to arboriculture and forestry, how to work with volunteers and how you can get more involved.
    Species Spotlight
    Longleaf pine is a beautiful tree that can be key habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this fire tolerant southern pine.
    13 min

About Trees Are Key

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#TreesAreKey with Paul Johnson helps listeners better understand and care for their trees. Weekly podcasts feature a short lesson and tree of the week, and share upcoming tree-related events around Texas. From planting to pruning, famous to flowering, to soil, sun and shade, and what to do when faced with disaster -- Trees Are Key has you covered.