Join us this week to learn keys to developing successful tree partnerships with special guest Dana Karcher, Alliance for Community Trees program manager.

“A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Join us to learn how to cultivate a culture of trees with our kids in this week’s episode of Trees Are Key.

Species Spotlight – Eastern Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginiana, Ironwood

Ironwood may be uncommon in your local garden center, but it may be a great Texas native for you to add to your landscape. Listen this week to learn more about this wonderful tree.

High winds can be very damaging to our trees. Listen this week to learn more about how to avoid wind damage and what you can do if your trees are damaged in a storm.

Tree of the Week – Species Spotlight – Rusty blackhaw

This week’s tree comes from our East Texas Regional Urban Forester Zaina Gates. Listen to learn more about this small, drought tolerant tree that looks great in all four seasons.

The last Friday in April is National Arbor Day –- it may not be a great time to plant trees across much of Texas, but it is a great time to celebrate trees and their importance in our lives. Listen this week to learn more about the beginnings of Arbor Day and find out who is being recognized by Arbor Day Foundation for their efforts to improve our trees and forests.

Be sure and tweet, Instagram, and post on Facebook using the hashtag #ArborDay – let’s help Arbor Day trend on National Arbor Day, April 29th.

Earth Day is 46 years old this year and has captured a lot of attention. I think it’s too bad that Arbor Day and Earth Day are so close together, but there can be a synergy -- In many areas they combine the two events into one big celebration. Anything that helps raise awareness of the environment, natural resources, and yes -- especially trees -- is a good thing. Join us to learn ways to integrate trees into your local Earth Day celebration.

Osage orange, Maclura pomifera, is a tough Texas native that was used by native americans for bows and war clubs which gives it another common name bois d’arc. Listen this week to learn more about this unique species.

We’ve talked about oak wilt, emerald ash borer, and defoliating insects previously. This week join us to learn more about pests with piercing and sucking mouth parts in Keys to Sucking Pests.

Our species spotlight is crapemyrtle, Laegerstromia indica, a beautiful, blooming tree that is common across Texas. Listen this week to learn more about the controversies surrounding this non-native tree.

Managing trees in our communities is key to maximizing the environmental, economic and social benefits of our community forests.

How do you get started?

How can a city, utility company or college campus be recognized for their efforts to care for their trees?

That’s where three programs from Arbor Day Foundation come in. Join us to learn more in Tree City USA Is Key.

Anacua, Ehretia anacua, is a unique, tough Texas native that has a unique leaf. Listen this week to learn more about this wonderful tree.

There are many things that can cause a tree’s leaves to fall off or disappear. Listen this week to learn more about how to figure out what is going on and if you need to do something to help your tree.

This week’s tree of the week is Texas Fall Elm also known as cedar elm. This tough Texas native can be a great choice in your yard or landscape. Listen this week to find out more about our Fall Elm.

Let’s step outside of our community forests and look around. There are many acres of forestland across Texas. According to our 2011 FIA (Forest Inventory and Analysis) program there are over 62 million acres of forests and woodlands in Texas. This is second only to Alaska in total acres.

In town, we think about our community forests producing shade, clean air & water, reducing flood waters, and increasing property values.

Out of town, tangible products such as wood products (lumber, fuelwood, pulp), non-wood products (syrup, edibles, wildlife), and ecosystem services are produced … we need to keep forests as forests … trees are a renewable resource.

Tree of the Week: Sugarberry aka palo blanco aka Celtis laevigata is a fast growing, short-lived species that is prime habitat for birds. Listen this week to learn more about an important habitat species.

Knowing how a tree grows is powerful and as they say – “with great power comes great responsibility”

We’ve talked about trees needing light, water, air, nutrients and soil in episode 3 “Keys to Tree Growth”

But why do trees grow up and not down?

Why are trees in windy areas shorter?

Why does the tree planted near the house grow away from the house at an angle?

Join us this week to learn more about why “Tropisms Are Key”

Mexican Buckeye is this week’s species spotlight. This tough, drought tolerant Texas native may be a good substitute for redbud. Listen this week to learn more about this wonderful flowering tree.