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Moringa oleifera is the most common of all of the Moringa genus.  The Moringa are the only members of the Moringaceae family.  Moringa oleifera has many common names such as the Miracle Tree (for the high nutrient content and said healing powers), Horseradish Tree (for the root flavor, often compared to horseradish), Drumstick Tree (for the slender seedpods) , Benoil and Benzoil Tree (for the oils derived from the seeds).  

Acording to tradition in parts of Africa (especially Ghana), the "Miracle Tree" and it's products have been used for generations.  The leaves are extremely high in nutrient value and are said to have natural healing powers.  The seed pods and leaves are eaten as a vegetable in many native areas and are used as an ingredient in herbal medicines.  Not only does the Moringa oleifera's products contain high nutrient values it can also be used for water purification purposes.

Image Citation: Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org

This fast growing deciduous tree can reach a height of 32-40 feet with a diameter of just 1.5 feet.  The whitish-grey bark is surrounded by a thick cork.  The young shoots have purplish or greenish-white hairy bark.  The open crown contains drooping, fragile branches and leathery tripinnate leaves.   The fragrant flowers are bisexual and contain five unequal yellow-white petals.  In cooler regions the flowers only appear once a year in April-June, however in warmer regions with high rainfall they can appear twice a year or even year round.  They appear on hairy stalks in spreading clusters that are 10-25 cm long.  The fruit occurs in brown three sided capsules containing dark brown seeds winged seeds that are dispersed by wind and water.  When cultivated as a crop it is cut back annually to allow the pods and leaved to remain within reach.

Image Citation: Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org

The Moringa oleifera is the main focus of Moringa Connect, a program that provides registered farmers with seeds and resulting manure for crop expansion and harvesting purposes.  It is also planted as part of the Feed The Future program, Feed The Future is a United States Government Global Hunger & Food Security Initiative that is currently focused in 19 countries.  These programs along with the help of volunteers (including Peace Corp Members, Private and Corporate Sectors) allow areas that are otherwise void of reliable / nutritional food sources to be planted with a resource that will continually produce and reproduce to provide nutritional food for generations to come.  

To learn more about how you can volunteer or donate to these amazing programs (Moringa Connect or Feed The Future) visit  http://moringaconnect.com/  or http://www.feedthefuture.gov/

You can also meet more trees at www.ArundelTreeService.com or Follow Our Blog www.MeetATree.com

The Arbor Day Foundation has been working for 20 years to perfect the Hazelnut and create a superior variety that not only produces delicious and nutritious nuts but also offers disease resistance and tolerance of the wide range of growth conditions the United States provides. In 1996, The Hazelnut Project began with nine acres and the planting of roughly 5200 juvenile bushes made up of 60 different hybridized Hazelnuts near the Lied Lodge at The Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska. By 2005 they had gained assistance from more then 50,000 charter patrons nationwide who had agreed to plant, observe and report progress of their own bushes. By 2012 new seedlings were propagated using a combination of the best performers from the originally distributed plants, patron grown nuts and even some plantings found in the wild. Now in 2016, there is hope that even better hybrids will continue to develop over time and the plants will be become stronger and more hardy.

Image Citation: Richard Webb, Bugwood.org

Hazelnuts are considered by many as a super food, their rich complex buttery flavor allows them to not only be eaten alone but also pair well with many other foods. They are high in dietary fiber, Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and Vitamin B. Studies have found that the consumption of just 1.5 ounces of Hazelnuts per day may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They contain mainly mono-unsaturated fats which are the heart healthy and no cholesterol they are a heart healthy smack. The Hazelnut crops appear in the late summer, replacing the delicate red blossoms.

Hazelnut bushes are considered to be woody agriculture, this means that they help slow climate change by providing oxygen and offsetting the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The plants are capable of capturing solar energy, which makes them photosynthetically efficient. They are deep, rapid rooting and can live for up to 80 years. They begin producing crops as early as 2-3 years after planting. Hazelnut shells can be used as a safe and efficient fuel alternative which can lead to a reduced demand for wood and other energy sources.

Image Citation: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

How can you help? You can support The Hazelnut Project or any of Arbor Day's other programs by visiting their website and making a donation or becoming a member today. www.ArborDay.org

Going Green!

Amy : Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:06 PM

It seems these days that everybody is "Going Green". Companies are changing their operating standards, logos, advertising, and mission statements to reflect these positive changes. For those of us who work everyday in a literally "Green" industry, outdoors and within Nature, we see these positive changes others are making with an "it's about time additude".

For years Certified Arborists, Licensed Tree Experts, and Forestry Experts alike have been changing with the times to keep the Tree Care Industry as "Green" as possible. Their visits to Capital Hill, Town Hall meetings, and initiatives throughout the communities that we grow and live in, have made a great difference in getting updated laws and regulations passed to keep our industry not only "Green and Growing" but safer and sustainable as well.

There are so many ways that people can now invest in this new "Greener" way of living. The options for raising awareness to the need to preserve not only the trees in our forests but in our towns and cities as well are almost limitless. Most States are even offering discounts, and credits for purchasing new trees to be planted and many non profit foundations are raising both funds and awareness when it comes to various reforestation efforts. All seem to have one common goal, to encourage Americans replant throughout our towns, cities, and forests. In doing so, we are not only investing in our own "greener" future, but the future of the "greener" generations to come.

What are you waiting for, it's time to get out there and plant!

Remember the beginning of any good planting is a good plan-Always pick the right tree, for the right place!

Below are links to various Tree Conservation and Planting initiatives acrossed the country!

Non Profit Links:

National Forest Foundation https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/NationalForestFoundation/PlantTrees.html

The Arbor Day Foundation

http://www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships/memberships.cfm

National Woodland Owners Association

http://www.woodlandowners.org/

American Chestnut Foundation

http://www.acf.org/

American Conifer Society

http://www.conifersociety.org/

American Forest Foundation

http://www.affoundation.org/

American Forests

http://www.americanforests.org/

American Forests Historic Tree Nursery

http://www.historictrees.org/

American Tree Farm Systems

http://www.treefarmsystem.org/

Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management

http://www.cinram.umn.edu/

Cradle of Forestry

http://www.cradleofforestry.com/

Forest Landowners Association

http://www.forestlandowners.com/

Hardwood Forest Foundation

http://www.hardwoodforest.org/

Forestry USA-Listing of All Non Goverment Organizations of Forestry and Forest Products

http://www.forestryusa.com/environ-groups.htm

Federal Links:

Forest Inventory and Analysis

http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/

US Forest Service-USDA

http://www.fs.fed.us/

State Links:

Alabama / Forestry Commision

http://www.forestry.state.al.us/forest_management_programs.aspx?bv=2&s=0

Alaska / Department of Natural Resources

http://forestry.alaska.gov/grants.htm

Arizona / State Forestry Division

http://www.azsf.az.gov/forest_strategy.asp

Arkansas /Forestry Commision

http://www.forestry.state.ar.us/seedlingsales_new.htm

California / Forest Foundation & California / Urban Forests Council

http://www.calforestfoundation.org/ and http://www.caufc.org/

Colorado / State Forest Service-Division of Forestry

http://csfs.colostate.edu/index.shtml

Conneticut / Department of Enviromental Protection-Forestry Division

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=322792&depNav_GID=1631%20

Delaware / Department of Agriculture-Forestry Division

http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/conser.shtml#Reforestation

District of Columbia / District Department of Transportation-Tree Services Division

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/Services/Tree+Services

Florida / Division of Forestry

http://www.fl-dof.com/services.html#grants

Georgia / Forestry Commision

http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/Recovery/Index.cfm

Hawaii / Forestry Division

http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/hfciforest/

Idaho / Department of Lands-Forestry Division

http://www.idl.idaho.gov/bureau/forasst.htm

Illinois / Department of Natural Resources-Forestry

http://dnr.state.il.us/conservation/forestry/IFDA

Indiana / Forestry

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/2881.htm

Iowa / Department of Natural Resources

http://www.iowadnr.gov/forestry/costshare.html

Kansas / Forest Service

http://www.kansasforests.org

Kentucky / Division of Forestry

http://forestry.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Louisiana / Forestry Association

http://www.laforestry.com

Maine / Forest Service

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs

Maryland / Department of Natural Resources &"Tree"Mendous Maryland

http://www.dnr.state.md.us

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/treemendous (Treemendous Maryland)

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov (Dept of Natural Resources/MD)

http://www.trees.maryland.gov/pickatree.asp (Tree Selection Guide for MD)

http://www.trees.maryland.gov/school.asp (Tree Planting Challenge Maryland)

Massachusetts / Department of Conservation and Recreation-Forestry

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry

Michigan / Department of Natural Resources-Forest

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_30505_34240-107504--,00.html

Mississippi / Forestry Commission

http://www.mfc.ms.gov

Missouri / Conservation and Forest Management

http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/forest-management

Montana / Department of Natural Resources - Forestry Division

http://dnrc.mt.gov/forestry

Nebraska / Forest Service

http://www.nfs.unl.edu

Nevada / Division of Forestry

http://forestry.nv.gov

New Hampshire / Division of Forests and Lands

http://www.nhdfl.org

New Jersey / Forest Service

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest

New Mexico / Forestry Division

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD

New York / Department of Urban and Community Forestry

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4957.html

North Carolina / Division of Forest Resources

http://www.dfr.state.nc.us

North Dakota / Forest Service

http://www.ndsu.edu/ndfs

http://www.fws.gov/ndc

Ohio / Department of Natural Resources-Forestry

http://www.ohiodnr.com/Default.aspx?alias=www.ohiodnr.com/forestry

Oklahoma / Forestry Service

http://www.forestry.ok.gov

Oregon / Department of Forestry

http://www.oregon.gov/ODF

Pennsylvania / Division of Forestry

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/index.aspx

Rhode Island / Division of Forest and Enviroment

http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/forest/index.htm

South Carolina / Forestry Commission

http://www.state.sc.us/forest

South Dakota / Department of Forestry

http://www.sdda.sd.gov/Forestry

Tennessee / Department of Agriculture-Forestry Division

http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/forestry

Texas / Forest Service

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1279

Utah / Forestry Division

http://www.ffsl.utah.gov/ffsl.htm

Virginia / Department of Forestry

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/index.shtml

Vermont / Division of Forestry

http://www.vtfpr.org/util/for_utilize_stats.cfm

Washington / Division of Forestry

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

West Virginia / Division of Forestry

http://www.wvforestry.com

Wisconsin / Forestry

http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/

Wyoming / Office of State Lands and Investments-Forestry Division

http://lands.state.wy.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=334&Itemid=58

The links above are meant for informational purposes only, we do not in any way endorse or profit from listing included.

Happy Arbor Day!

Amy: Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 12:49 PM

Friday, April 27th is Arbor Day!

So in the tradition that is "Arbor Day" get out there and Plant some TREES!

Remember the "Right Tree Right Place" Rule in your planning!

Have a Beautiful Arbor Day

(still wondering what Arbor Day is all about....see a little more "technical" definition below)

Arbor Day

From Wikipedia,

Observed by United States and other countries. A holiday celebrating trees.Final Friday in April (US), various other days (other countries).Celebrations Planting and caring for trees, educating about the importance of trees. Related to Greenery Day (Japan)

Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska during 1872 by J. Sterling Morton . The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated 1 million trees were planted that day. Many countries now observe a similar holiday. Though usually observed in Spring, the date varies, depending on climateand suitable planting season. Birdsey Northrop of Connecticut was responsible for globalizing it when he visited Japan in 1883 and delivered his Arbor Day and Village Improvement message. In that same year, the American Forestry Association made Northrup the Chairman of the committee to campaign for Arbor Day nationwide. He also brought his enthusiasm for Arbor Day to Australia, Canada and Europe.[1]Arbor Day reached its height of popularity on its 125th anniversary in 1997, when David J. Wright, noticed that a Nebraska non profit called the National Arbor Day Foundation had taken the name of the holiday and commercialized it for their own use as a trademark for their publication "Arbor Day," so he countered their efforts, launched a website, and trademarked it for "public use celebrations" and defended the matter in a federal district court in the United States[2] to insure it was judged as property of the public domain, the case was settled in October 1999. Today as a result of Wright's efforts anyone can use the term Arbor Day and anyone can hold their own Arbor Day celebration.

United States

Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska. By the 1920s, each state in the United States had passed public laws that stipulated a certain day to be Arbor Day or Arbor and Bird Day observance. The national holiday is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April; in Nebraska, it is a civic holiday. Each state celebrates its own state holiday. The customary observance is to plant a tree. On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted.

Goodbye Technology

Now Back to my Shovel

Happy Earth Day~ Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd

Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2011 1:58 PM

Earth Day is April 22nd, 2011 how will you honor Mother Earth and her many marvels?

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural enviroment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelsen as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day...from Wikipedia (In case you were wondering the technical details of how Earth Day came to be......)

Different people celebrate Earth Day in different ways so maybe you could try one of these:

1: Plant a Tree (Of course this is my first pick) As the date also roughly coincides with our US Arbor Day, over time Earth Day has taken on the role of tree-planting. Remember planting trees helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cleans pollution, secures soil in place to prevent erosion, and provides homes for a lot of biodiversity.

2: Make a Nature Craft at School or Home (Okay maybe at Work too) Get together with your family and build a birdhouse or make a bird feeder to encourage the local bird population, which plays an important role in every ecosystem. Use objects that would've otherwise been thrown away to create beautiful works of art (old plastic 2 liter bottles or laundry bottles work great -be sure to cut them safely for the birds to pass into holes though-Recycle it, either way!)

3: Reduce, reuse and recycle all day long. Buy as little as possible and avoid items that come in lots of packaging. Support your local growers and producers of food and products - these don't have to travel as far and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take your drink container with you, and don't use any disposable plates or cutlery. Recycle all the things you do use for the day or find other uses for things that you no longer use. Carry a cloth bag for carrying things in and recycle your plastice bags

4:Teach others about the environment. Teachers, professionals, students, in fact anyone who cares about the environment and is willing to teach others, can all provide environmental lessons for others. Most schools already celebrate Earth Day in the classrooms with activities but there are many other ways you can teach about the environment. For example, give a speech at your local library on how to compost worms; take a group of children down to the recycling center to show them how things are recycled; recite nature poems in the park; offer to teach your office colleagues how to make environmentally-friendly choices at work during one lunch hour. Everyone has environmental knowledge they can share with others. (We all just need to take a moment out of our days to do it!)

There are so many things for our families to do to in honor of Earth Day, so many more we can do on the other 364 days of the year too!

What will you do this "Earth Year"!

Home Sales and Trees

Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 12:33 PM

" In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a "strong or moderate impact" on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%." —Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests

Trees and Mother Nature

Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 2:52 PM

Did you know ?????

Wind speed and direction can be affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on the tree or group of trees, the greater the influence of the windbreak. The downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail is initially absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding.

Isn't it amazing how affected our lives are by the "other" living things that surround us?

Planting Trees in our Cities, Saving some money and helping pollution all at the same time!

Amy Gilliss: Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 11:15 AM

There are about 60-to 200- million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs."—National Wildlife Federation

Maybe our government should weigh this more "natural" option to help our budget deficits and invest in our cities future, as many trees can out live us by generations.

By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. The natural cycles of plant growth, reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground. Natural harmony is restored to the urban environment. The benefits outweigh the risk and the initial investment anyway you look at it!

Just a Thought, I am a little partial to trees

Energy Savings with Tree Plantings

Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2011 12:56 PM

If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%."

—Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

Trees That Feed Foundation

Amy-Arundel Tree Service: Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2015 12:24 PM

Have you heard of The Trees That Feed Foundation?

Their work began in Jamaica and has grown to now include 8 countries. Their name explains very simply what they do, Trees That Feed Foundation​. They provide sustainable food sources to communities through fruit-bearing trees with edible high yield fruits.

They supply communities the trees, equipment and training to not only improve local nutrition but also provide long-term independence from food imports and agrochemicals.

Another great example of how important and beneficial trees are to everyone on Earth!

Learn More at: http://www.treesthatfeed.org/

Mycorrhizae - "Fungus Roots"

Amy: Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 9:35 AM

Many tree roots live in a symbiotic relationship with many fungi, the results of which is called "mycorrhizae" or "fungus roots".

Under a microscope. X-ray of roots in ground.

More Cool Tree Facts

www.ArundelTreeService.com

Wood Magazine- "Medicine Trees"

Amy: Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2015 12:48 PM

Here is a neat article explaining that tree products are not just paper and lumber. Learn more about the "medicine trees" around us http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/medicinal-trees/

or www.ArundelTreeService.com

Meet The "Cinchona" Tree

Amy: Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015 10:10 AM

Meet The "Chinchona" Tree, the national tree of Ecuador and Peru.

The Cinchona is a medicinal plant known as a source for quinine, a naturally occuring white crystalline alkaloid that has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Discovered by Peruvian natives quinine has been recorded in use medically since at least the 17th century.

www.ArundelTreeService.com

What are "Pine" Cones?

Amy: Posted on Monday, October 27, 2014 2:57 PM

Cones are the organ on plants in the Confier family that contains the reproductive structures.

The familiar woody "pine" cone is the female cone, which produces the seeds. The male cones, which produce pollen, are usually herbaceous and much less noticeable even at full maturity.

The name "cone" cames from the fact that the shape in some species resembles a geometric cone.

More Cool Tree Facts www.ArundelTreeService.com

How do tree help us when it rains?

Amy: Posted on Friday, October 10, 2014 12:45 PM

The downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail is initially absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some protection for people, pets, and buildings.

Trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding. A mature Oak tree for example is capable of absorbing as much as 100 gallons of water each day.

More Cool Tree Facts www.ArundelTreeService.com