Thanks to everyone who helped out this past weekend. We replanted trees and shrubs (which are now enjoying cooler, wetter conditions as they get re-established), weeded the rain garden area, pulled garlic mustard, and cleaned off storm drains. 

Please keep an eye out for garlic mustard.  This is a critical time for it.  Any seeding we can prevent this year will dramatically help us in coming years.

An unfortunate logistical and communication problem resulted in the removal of many trees and bushes that were planted as part of our Earth Day efforts to restore vegetation along High and Overbrook where the sidewalk was replaced.  We were unaware that the sidewalk project was not finished. 

Fortunately a supervisor on the project noticed the newly planted seedlings, removed them, and temporarily heeled them into some dirt, saving them from getting destroyed as the sidewalk project continued.  The seedlings have been moved to the Robinson’s vegetable garden until the project can be completed.  At that point we’ll need to replant.  It’ll be like having Earth Day twice this Spring.

A somewhat belated but nevertheless heartfelt thank you to the nearly 30 people who helped plant close to 300 trees and bushes as well as collect trash and remove honeysuckle on Saturday April 16.  Our planting efforts included restoring vegetation along  High Street where the sidewalk had been replaced.  Species planted included:

• Spice Bush
• Nine Bark
• Elderberry
• Redbud
• Paw Paw
• Silky Dogwood
• Sugar Maple
• Hackberry
• White Oak
• Shumard Oak
• Tulip Poplar

What a wonderful morning to work in the ravine! Nice and cool, with freshly softened ground that made pulling out garlic mustard quite easy.

We had an amazing turn-out as well (35 volunteers!), from our usual crew of neighbors and school partners, as well as volunteers through the Earth Day 2010 (http://update2010.org) and our site sponsor, Malcolm Pirnie. As a reminder, there is an Earth Day celebration in Franklin Park on Thursday, April 22, 3-10pm.

We gathered 7 (30 gal) bags of trash, planted many native plants and removed weeds in the raingarden, planted 95 native trees in the ravine, and pulled out 70 (!) bags of garlic mustard.

There is still much more garlic mustard to be removed, so it you feel inspired on a walk, please take some time to remove some of this aggressive plant. Our mentor, Greg Schneider, pointed out that with only flowers on the plant at this point, if the stem is broken between the flower and the roots, the plants will not go to seed and can just be composted in the ravine or the side of the road.

Thanks for all you do! We are all very blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

–Derek

Three of the dead trees will be replaced this fall by EMI. Prior to the planting, I will be contacted. The species of trees that appear to be dead: sycamore, cottonwood and a maple. We agreed that if EMI has similar City of Columbus Specifications trees, we will consider them for replacement.

Tina M. Mohn, WPIT
Property Manager
Columbus Recreation and Parks

ADENA BROOK COMMUNITY EARTH DAY CLEAN UP – SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009, 9 – 11 AM
This month we will meet on the THIRD Saturday, not the second. April is one of our biggest clean ups of the year and some of the most important work we will do this season. Our focus: pull garlic mustard, cut honeysuckle, and plant trees. We need every hand, even if you only have a half hour to give. If you want to plant trees, bring a shovel. Supplies will be located at Overbrook and High, Overbrook and Indianola, Overbrook and Cooke Road, Overbrook and Yaronia. Volunteers from Malcolm Pirnie will join us.

Our clean up is in collaboration with Green Columbus’ annual event called “Picture This.” This is the third annual event organized by Green Columbus. According to Tad Dritz, Director of Green Columbus, the name was selected “to encourage central Ohioans to picture how much can be accomplished in one day of volunteer projects across the Columbus metro area.” The planned event is actually a two day affair with April 18 for volunteer worksites and April 19 for a celebration at Goodale Park, in the Short North. Read more about Green Columbus here: http://greencbus.org/site/

FREE NATIVE TREES
Another reason to come to the Earth Day clean up: we have a selection of native trees to give to Adena Brook neighbors and volunteers on April 18. In response to the damage of the two big wind storms–we lost many trees. Help us sustain our woodland neighborhood by planting a native tree! Trees will be located at High and Overbrook.

The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) is again offering native plants, trees, and seeds for sale.  To see the variety of natives available go to their sale’s website: http://www.franklinswcd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=77

The deadline to order is Friday, March 13.  Order pickup from the FSWCD office is Friday April 17 and Saturday April 18.

Davey Tree planted a Tuliptree in the grassy area at the southwest corner of Overbrook and Indianola. This tree was a result of successful bidding at the annual Clintonville Chamber of Commerce awards dinner and silent auction. We hope it will grow into a welcoming entrance to those who live and visit this part of the Adena Brook neighborhood.From the ODNR website:

Tulip poplar, found throughout all of Ohio, is named for the appearance of its showy flowers and the silhouette of its large leaves, both of which resemble tulips. It is also known as Tulip Poplar and Yellow Poplar, in reference to the fluttering of its leaves like those of the Poplars, and for the yellow colors of both its flowers and fall foliage. 

Tuliptree is the tallest tree of eastern forests with the straightest trunks, achieving heights of well over 100 feet with 4 foot diameters, when not prematurely harvested. It frequents moist woodlands and edges of fields, especially on downslopes where water drains. Its lightweight wood, often used as a base for veneer, is straight-grained, relatively soft for a hardwood, and has a faded olive-green color.

Native throughout most of the Eastern United States, it quickly reaches a height of 80 feet and a breadth of 40 feet, but it can grow much taller. As a member of the Magnolia Family, it is related to the Magnolias (including Cucumbertree) and the only other Tuliptree (Chinese Tuliptree).”

It’s seed is a favorite of the cardinal. The tree serves as food for the tiger swallowtail butterfly. 

ANNUAL TREE PLANTING – APRIL 5, 2008

425 native trees were planted in the rain garden and new culvert bridge areas: redbud, shagbark hickory, flowering dogwood, red maple, sassafras; witch hazel shrubs.

Honeysuckle was cleared from behind the rain garden.

32 volunteers worked.

WOW! 53 volunteers planted 745 trees and shrubs in about 2 hours.

THANKS! And a hug to Lisa Bower, forester, Ohio Division of Forestry
for bringing her knowledge and tools, for working so hard. Thank you
Stephanie Suter and Kelly McCutcheon for donating leftover trees from
the Franklin Soil and Water District Sale which brought the grand
total of trees planted to 745. Thank you Randy Navaroli from ThisWeek
newspaper for the article earlier this week that brought more tree
planters to our event. Thank you Paul Bingle, Adena Brook Community
fiscal agent, and his wife, Linda Paul, Earth Share coordinator for
taking time from their busy schedules to join us. Thank you Bill
Platt for taking pictures of the event. Thank you Graham School
students and staff for volunteering and letting us park in their lot.
Thank you to all the Adena Brook neighbors and others who made the
expression, “Many hands make light work,” real.

Happy Earth Day–
Susan