From BradleyL@Ag.Arizona.Edu Sat, 13 Nov 1999 14:58:14 -0700 Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 14:58:14 -0700 From: Lucy Bradley BradleyL@Ag.Arizona.Edu Subject: [Aztrees] FREE landscape industry seminars on line >From: "Phil Nilsson, Nilsson Associates" >To: >Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 12:58:18 -0000 >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3155.0 > > >You are invited to attend our FREE landscape industry seminars >at www.turfquip.com/nilsson.html (over 6,000 viewers a month) > >New seminars every week ... updated and posted on Thursdays > >Presented by: Nilsson Associates, Green Industry Consultants >Books - Audios - Consulting - Business Sales & Acquisitions >New Business Opportunities - Financing - Franchising > >This email is sent as a courtesy to our viewing audience - if >do not wish to receive them, please email the word (remove) thank > >Phil Nilsson, Green Industry Consultant >374 Hart St., Southington, CT 06489T >Tel: 860.621.6199 Fax 860.628.0174 Lucy K. Bradley Extension Agent, Urban Horticulture Maricopa County The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension 4341 E Broadway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807 Phone: (602) 470-8086 ext 323 Fax: (602) 470-8092 email: BradleyL@ag.arizona.edu http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/ From cnoyes@Ag.Arizona.Edu Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:03:36 -0700 Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:03:36 -0700 From: Carol Noyes cnoyes@Ag.Arizona.Edu Subject: [Aztrees] Trees & Utilities National Conference --=====================_18206647==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Building Alliances Trees & Utilities National Conference February 1-3,2000 Presented by The National Arbor Day Foundation Arbor Day Farm ~ Lied Conference Center ~ Nebraska City, Nebraska Strategic alliances are popular organizational structures. They are agreements that formalize cooperative and collaborative efforts organizations make to achieve the goals of all those in the alliance. Formally or informally, utilities and the communities they serve have been doing this for years. They have been working together to enhance their tree resources and to provide uninterrupted utility services. The professionals who gather at this conference come with the expectation of learning more about how to reach these mutual goals. They hear case studies from across the country about how others are turning difficult situations into success and they learn from the researchers and other experts who share vital information on tree physiology, pruning techniques that work, and other innovations that lead to better utility service and healthier community forests. Each year, more utility, municipal, arboricultural, and other professionals come to this national conference. The Lied Conference Center has opened an additional 48 rooms to help accommodate the growing numbers. Register now for this great learning and networking opportunity - we don't expect those extra rooms to last long! Who will be there? *Urban and Community Foresters *Utility Arborists and Officials *Urban Forestry Educators *Municipal Officials *Tree Board Members *Utility Line Maintenance Managers *Utility Communication Professionals *City Planners *Landscape Architects *Concerned Citizens *Anyone interested in the care of community trees Why you should attend: *You'll learn how communities and utilities are meeting the challenges of growing urban trees while maintaining safe and reliable delivery of utility services. *You'll exchange ideas and perspectives with other professionals who face similar situations. *You'll explore opportunities for utilities and communities to work together. *You'll gather ideas and information to take home and put into practice. Conference Day 1 11:00 am Conference Registration Opens 1:00 pm Welcome Chris Aden, General Manager, Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska Derek Vannice, Exec Director, Utility Arborist Assoc., Illinois Quality Tree Care 1:15 pm Environmental Stewardship in the 21st Century Paul H. Loeffelman, Manager External Environmental Affairs, American Electric Power, Ohio 2:00 pm Directional Pruning for Line Clearance and Long-term Implications on Tree Defects and Failures Dr. Bruce R. Fraedrich, Vice President Research, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, North Carolina 2:45 pm Refreshment Break & Exhibits Sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts 3:15 pm Economic Comparison of Directional Pruning and Topping for Line Clearance Stephen Tankersley, Director, and Lynn Cullen, Area Utility Arborist, Vegetation Management Operations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, California 4:00 pm Is There Room for Quality Tree Care in a Deregulated Market? Scott M. Asplundh, Executive Vice President, Asplundh Tree Expert Co, Pennsylvania 5:00-9:00 pm Dinner for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room Conference Day 2 6:30-8:30 am Breakfast for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room Quality Tree Care (continued) Moderator - Wayne MacGregor Parker, Vice President, Operations, Utility Services, The Davey Tree Care Company, Ohio 8:30 am Vegetation Management and The Environment: Geographic Applications to Create Better Awareness of Sensitive Species Along the Right-of Way Mark Malone, Geographer, The Kennerson group, Massachusetts 9:15 am Vegetation Management with Herbicides on a National Forest: A Success Story Dr. Logan A. Norris, Professor of Forestry, Dept of Forestry, Oregon State University, Oregon 9:45 am Reviewing the Evidence for TGRs Michael Robinson, Forester, JEA, Florida 10:15 am Refreshment Break & Exhibits 10:45 am Converting Overhead Powerlines to Underground Peter S. Carris, System ARborist, Peninsula Light Company, Washington 11:30 am Evolution and Recognition of the Line Clearance Tree Trimmer Don Kaczka, President/Business Manager, and Dave MCQuaid, Vice President/Assistant Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1919, Pennsylvania 12:00 pm Lunch in West Assembly Tree Line USA Input Session John Rosenow, President, and Mary Yager, Program Director, The National Arbor Day Foundation Tree Planting & Public Education Moderator - Michael Neal, President-Elect, Utility Arborist Assoc; System Forester, Arizona Public Service Co, Arizona 1:30 pm Using Open Communication to Sustain Community/Utility Partnerships Peter O. Simpson, Manager, Vegetation Management, Eastern Utilities, Maine & Scott Wheeler, Tree & Park Supervisor, City of Newport, Rhode Island 2:15 pm Selecting and Maintaining Appropriate Species Under Power Lines in Urban Areas Tony Wolcott, Director, Urban Tree Foundation, California 3:00 pm Refreshment Break & Exhibits 3:30 pm Reducing CO2 Through Urban Forestry: Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree Planters James R. Simpson, Research Meteorologist, USDA Forest Service Western Center for Urban Forest Research & Education, University of California, Davis, California 4:00 pm Tree Line USA: Intrinsic Values of the Designation Peter O. Simpson, Manager, Vegetation Management, Eastern Utilities, Maine 5:30 pm Social Hour - Meet the Presenters Sponsored by The Kenerson Group 6:30 pm Tree Line USA Awards Banquet in West Assembly Sponsored by The Asplundh Tree Expert Company & The Davey Tree Expert Company Conference Day 3 6:30-8:30 am Breakfast for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room Business and Legal Issues Moderator - Robert L. Tate, Principal, Robert L. Tate Associate, Inc. California 8:30 am Federal Issues: Legislation and Regulation on the Horizon and Beyond Eric D. Myers, Coordinator, Environmental Affairs, Edison Electric Institute, Washington, D.C. 9:15 am The Role of Public Service commissions and Fire Agencies in Regulating Utility Vegetation Management Practices Stephen R. Cieslewicz, Partner and Principal Consultant, CN Utility consulting, LLC, California; Vice President, Utility Arborist Assoc. 10:00 am Refreshment Break 10:15 am Contracting to Support In-House Vegetation Management Peter Rausch, ROW Manager, Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma 11:00 am What Makes An Ideal Contract? Both Sides Speak Up Randall Miller, Systems Forester, PacifiCorp, Utah, and Steve A. White, Area Manager-Southwest Region, Davey Tree Surgery Company, Texas. 11:45 am Closing Remarks Derek Vannice, Exec Director, Utility Arborist Assoc, Illinois Conference Registration Fee: $325, when received by Jan 17, 2000 ($375 after Jan. 17). Fee includes materials, meals, and refreshments breaks, beginning with dinner on Tuesday, Feb 1 through breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 3. It does not include lodging. Exhibits and Sponsorships: Exhibit space is available for $495 which includes an 8 X 10' draped booth with an 8 foot table and two chairs. One complimentary registration is included for the organizations's representative. Any additional representatives must register for the conference. Booth signage will be prepared for exhibits registered by Jan. 17. *Sponsorship opportunities are available for refreshment breaks, lunches, social hours, dinners, and the awards banquet. For more information about exhibits or sponsorships, please call Kevin Sander at 402-474-5655. Lodging: A block of rooms has been reserved at Lied Conference Center for this conference. Please make your reservations directly with the conference center by calling 800-546-LIED(5433). Be sure to indicate that you will be attending the Tress & Utilities National Conference to be certain you receive the special conference rate. You are encouraged to make your reservations early since space is limited. Lodging reservations are not included in the conference registration fee. Transportation: Ground transportation is available from Omaha's Eppley Airport to Lied conference Center (approx 50 miles). Shuttle reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance to ensure a seat. Scheduled shuttle runs that have no passengers with reserved seating will be canceled. Shuttle reservations can be accommodated by calling the Lied Conference Center at 800-546-5433. CFE/CEU Approval: This conference has been approved by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) for 11.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) for 11.5 Category 1 contact hours in their Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) program. ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist Exams: These exams which take 3 1/2 hours will be offered Feb. 1 beginning at 8:30 am. Check-in is at 8:00 am, to register, contact ISA at 217-355-9411 or e-mail Carole Abbott at cabbott@isa-arbor.com for the appropriate forms. Completed forms and payment must be received by ISA no later than January 18. Cancellations: cancellations made at least one week prior to the conference date are eligible for a full refund of the registration fee. If you need to cancel less than one week before the program, your registration fee will be refunded less a $50 enrollment charge, or you may send a substitute from your organization. You are guaranteed a full refund of the registration fee if this conference is canceled for any reason. For more information and registration form call 402-474-5655 or toll free 888-448-7337 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central time Carol Noyes Administrative Secretary Maricopa County Urban Horticulture/Master Gardener programs 602-470-8086 Ext. 308 Have a wonderful day!! ~ U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~ --=====================_18206647==_.ALT Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"
Building Alliances
Trees & Utilities National Conference
February 1-3,2000
Presented by The National Arbor Day Foundation
Arbor Day Farm ~ Lied Conference Center ~ Nebraska City, Nebraska

Strategic alliances are popular organizational structures.  They are agreements that formalize cooperative and collaborative efforts organizations make to achieve the goals of all those in the alliance.  Formally or informally, utilities and the communities they serve have been doing this for years.  They have been working together to enhance their tree resources and to provide uninterrupted utility services.

The professionals who gather at this conference come with the expectation of learning more about how to reach these mutual goals.  They hear case studies from across the country about how others are turning difficult situations into success and they learn from the researchers and other experts who share vital information on tree physiology, pruning techniques that work, and other innovations that lead to better utility service and healthier community forests.

Each year, more utility, municipal, arboricultural, and other professionals come to this national conference.  The Lied Conference Center has opened an additional 48 rooms to help accommodate the growing numbers.  Register now for this great learning and networking opportunity - we don't expect those extra rooms to last long!

Who will be there?
*Urban and Community Foresters
*Utility Arborists and Officials
*Urban Forestry Educators
*Municipal Officials
*Tree Board Members
*Utility Line Maintenance Managers
*Utility Communication Professionals
*City Planners
*Landscape Architects
*Concerned Citizens
*Anyone interested in the care of community trees

Why you should attend:
*You'll learn how communities and utilities are meeting the challenges of growing urban trees while maintaining safe and reliable delivery of utility services.

*You'll exchange ideas and perspectives with other professionals who face similar situations.

*You'll explore opportunities for utilities and communities to work together.

*You'll gather ideas and information to take home and put into practice.

Conference Day 1
11:00 am        Conference Registration Opens

1:00 pm Welcome
                Chris Aden, General Manager, Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska
                Derek Vannice, Exec Director, Utility Arborist Assoc., Illinois

Quality Tree Care
1:15 pm Environmental Stewardship in the 21st Century
                Paul H. Loeffelman, Manager External Environmental Affairs, American Electric Power, Ohio

2:00 pm Directional Pruning for Line Clearance and Long-term Implications on Tree Defects and Failures
                Dr. Bruce R. Fraedrich, Vice President Research, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, North Carolina

2:45 pm Refreshment Break & Exhibits
                Sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts

3:15 pm Economic Comparison of Directional Pruning and Topping for Line Clearance
                Stephen Tankersley, Director, and Lynn Cullen, Area Utility Arborist, Vegetation Management Operations, Pacific Gas and                 Electric Company, California

4:00 pm Is There Room for Quality Tree Care in a Deregulated Market?
                Scott M. Asplundh, Executive Vice President, Asplundh Tree Expert Co, Pennsylvania

5:00-9:00 pm    Dinner for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room

Conference Day 2

6:30-8:30 am    Breakfast for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room

Quality Tree Care (continued)
                Moderator - Wayne MacGregor Parker, Vice President, Operations, Utility Services, The Davey Tree Care Company, Ohio

8:30 am Vegetation Management and The Environment:  Geographic Applications to Create Better Awareness of Sensitive             Species  Along the Right-of Way
                Mark Malone, Geographer, The Kennerson group, Massachusetts
                
9:15 am Vegetation Management with Herbicides on a National Forest: A Success Story
                Dr. Logan A. Norris, Professor of Forestry, Dept of Forestry, Oregon State University, Oregon

9:45 am Reviewing the Evidence for TGRs
                Michael Robinson, Forester, JEA, Florida

10:15 am        Refreshment Break & Exhibits

10:45 am        Converting Overhead Powerlines to Underground
                Peter S. Carris, System ARborist, Peninsula Light Company, Washington

11:30 am        Evolution and Recognition of the Line Clearance Tree Trimmer
                Don Kaczka, President/Business Manager, and Dave MCQuaid, Vice President/Assistant Business Manager, International              Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1919, Pennsylvania

12:00 pm        Lunch in West Assembly
                Tree Line USA Input Session
                John Rosenow, President, and Mary Yager, Program Director, The National Arbor Day Foundation

Tree Planting & Public Education
                Moderator - Michael Neal, President-Elect, Utility Arborist Assoc; System Forester, Arizona Public Service Co, Arizona

1:30 pm Using Open Communication to Sustain Community/Utility Partnerships
                Peter O. Simpson, Manager, Vegetation Management, Eastern Utilities, Maine & Scott Wheeler, Tree & Park Supervisor,             City of Newport, Rhode Island

2:15 pm Selecting and Maintaining Appropriate Species Under Power Lines in Urban Areas
                Tony Wolcott, Director, Urban Tree Foundation, California

3:00 pm Refreshment Break & Exhibits

3:30 pm Reducing CO2 Through Urban Forestry: Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree Planters
                James R. Simpson, Research Meteorologist, USDA Forest Service Western Center for Urban Forest Research & Education,             University of California, Davis, California

4:00 pm Tree Line USA:  Intrinsic Values of the Designation
                Peter O. Simpson, Manager, Vegetation Management, Eastern Utilities, Maine

5:30 pm Social Hour - Meet the Presenters
                Sponsored by The Kenerson Group

6:30 pm Tree Line USA Awards Banquet in West Assembly
                Sponsored by The Asplundh Tree Expert Company & The Davey Tree Expert Company

Conference Day 3

6:30-8:30 am    Breakfast for Conferees in the Lied Conference Center Dining Room

Business and Legal Issues
                Moderator - Robert L. Tate, Principal, Robert L. Tate Associate, Inc. California

8:30 am Federal Issues:  Legislation and Regulation on the Horizon and Beyond
                Eric D. Myers, Coordinator, Environmental Affairs, Edison Electric Institute, Washington, D.C.

9:15 am The Role of Public Service commissions and Fire Agencies in Regulating Utility Vegetation Management Practices
                Stephen R. Cieslewicz, Partner and Principal Consultant, CN Utility consulting, LLC, California; Vice President, Utility Arborist Assoc.

10:00 am        Refreshment Break

10:15 am        Contracting to Support In-House Vegetation Management
                Peter Rausch, ROW Manager, Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma

11:00 am        What Makes An Ideal Contract?  Both Sides Speak Up
                Randall Miller, Systems Forester, PacifiCorp, Utah, and Steve A. White, Area Manager-Southwest Region, Davey Tree Surgery               Company, Texas.

11:45 am        Closing Remarks
                Derek Vannice, Exec Director, Utility Arborist Assoc, Illinois

Conference Registration Fee: $325, when received by Jan 17, 2000 ($375 after Jan. 17).  Fee includes materials, meals, and refreshments breaks, beginning with dinner on Tuesday, Feb 1 through breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 3.  It does not include lodging.

Exhibits and Sponsorships:  Exhibit space is available for $495 which includes an 8 X 10' draped booth with an 8 foot table and two chairs.  One complimentary registration is included for the organizations's representative.  Any additional representatives must register for the conference.  Booth signage will be prepared for exhibits registered by Jan. 17.  *Sponsorship opportunities are available for refreshment breaks, lunches, social hours, dinners, and the awards banquet.  For more information about exhibits or sponsorships, please call Kevin Sander at 402-474-5655.

Lodging:  A block of rooms has been reserved at Lied Conference Center for this conference.  Please make your reservations directly with the conference center by calling 800-546-LIED(5433).  Be sure to indicate that you will be attending the Tress & Utilities National Conference to be certain you receive the special conference rate.  You are encouraged to make your reservations early since space is limited.  Lodging reservations are not included in the conference registration fee.

Transportation:  Ground transportation is available from Omaha's Eppley Airport to Lied conference Center (approx 50 miles).  Shuttle reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance to ensure a seat.  Scheduled shuttle runs that have no passengers with reserved seating will be canceled.  Shuttle reservations can be accommodated by calling the Lied Conference Center at 800-546-5433.

CFE/CEU Approval:  This conference has been approved by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) for 11.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) for 11.5 Category 1 contact hours in their Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) program.

ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist Exams:  These exams which take 3 1/2 hours will be offered Feb. 1 beginning at 8:30 am.  Check-in is at 8:00 am, to register, contact ISA at 217-355-9411 or e-mail Carole Abbott at cabbott@isa-arbor.com for the appropriate forms.  Completed forms and payment must be received by ISA no later than January 18.

Cancellations:  cancellations made at least one week prior to the conference date are eligible for a full refund of the registration fee.  If you need to cancel less than one week before the program, your registration fee will be refunded less a $50 enrollment charge, or you may send a substitute from your organization.  You are guaranteed a full refund of the registration fee if this conference is canceled for any reason.

For more information and registration form call 402-474-5655 or toll free 888-448-7337 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central time


Carol Noyes
Administrative Secretary
Maricopa County
Urban Horticulture/Master Gardener programs

602-470-8086  Ext. 308

Have a wonderful day!!

~ U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~U of A ~ --=====================_18206647==_.ALT-- From growpepl@svn.net Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:31:08 -0700 Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:31:08 -0700 From: Gardens For Growing People by way of Lucy Bradley growpepl@svn.net Subject: [Aztrees] Planting Trees with Children Kinder Garden News (Newsletter) F99 Planting Trees with Children ============================ Autumn is an excellent time for planting trees. Trees are slowing in their photosynthesis work and turning their energy to root growth instead of leaf growth, which makes this time of year the best for getting trees started. By the time spring comes, fall planted trees are rooted and ready for growth. Planting a tree is a simple garden activity that can be done by few or many hands, and it goes a long way towards enhancing the local garden or community and even helps the planet on a global level. Unlike planting short lived annuals, the planting of a tree is a statement of hope for the future. ____________________________________ Someone once said, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. " Here are some tree-mendous activities to do with kids: * Start a tree museum. Collect samples of acorns, pinecones, leaves, bark to touch and look at. * Explore products made in part or in whole from trees and add them to the collection. * Read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, then ask students to list ways that trees enrich our lives. * Have children select a tree to observe over the next few months. Ask them to look for changes in the tree's leaves, bark, fragrance, activity of birds, etc. Give them a sketch pad and pencils and have them draw their tree. * If you are planing to plant a tree, visit a local nursery and ask questions about what types of trees grow well in your area. What are the needs of different trees. Make a decision on what kind of tree to plant. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE TRUTH ABOUT TREES ===================== What is a tree? Isn't that a silly question, everyone knows what a tree is, right? Or do we? Michael Pollan said, "Every time we think we've figured out what a tree really is ...it turns out we've simply come up with a temporarily handy new description of it." In one chapter of his outstanding book, Second Nature, Michael Pollan's discusses his thoughts on trees. Let me present a quick summary of his chapter on trees, and we shall see that trees have meant different things to different people at different times! Trees have been the homes of spirits, elves, fairies, and demons for much of history. American Indians and, in fact, most pre-Christian people practiced some form of tree spirit worship. Because trees reach towards the heavens they were often thought to have special relationships with the gods. American Indians did not cut down a tree unless absolutely necessary, and even then, they took the trouble to explain their reasons to the tree and ask forgiveness. When the Puritans came to the new world, trees were perceived quite differently. The forested landscape was a wild and dangerous place where a person might get lost or be killed, or fall away from Christ and civilization. The act of chopping down a tree was viewed as a righteous act. Deforestation was justified as a means of setting back the howling wilderness and promoting civilization. Deforestation was synonymous with progress. Once striped of divinity, a tree in colonial eyes appeared as either a weed or a commodity. When a colonist looked at a tree he saw an oak barrel, or a ship's mast. Clearing trees improved the land for agriculture and many colonists purchased land with an agreement to clear the land of trees or else forfeit title to their property. This does not mean that colonists never planted trees. Tree planting took on a social or political context. Stately trees were often planted at the head of a driveway, or to delineate the boundaries of property. The planting of trees that would not mature for 50 years or more (oak or walnut) asserted the owner's intent to hold onto the property. Planting trees began to take on a political significance all over the world. The Israelis planted millions of trees in the desert as a way of affirming their claim to the land. The significance was not lost on the Palestinians who set fire to several Israeli planted forests. In the nineteenth century, trees began to take on a romantic significance. Perhaps because the earlier deforestation efforts were so successful, trees in some landscapes became scarce, and when something is scarce it is often romanticized. Men like Emerson, Thoreau, and Muir wrote about how trees nurture our spiritual and emotional well-being. Today, most of us still see trees through Thoreau's eyes. Which view of a tree is the true nature of a tree? Interestingly, It so happens that the etymology of the word "true" goes back to an old English word for "tree". A truth, it seems, is nothing more than a deeply rooted idea. Of course, it matters a great deal to the tree how a tree is viewed. Puritan and Colonial trees get chopped down, Political trees get planted, but in revolutionary times they get chopped down. Romantic trees tend to be ones you preserve rather than plant. Although the romantic definition of a tree has persisted for many years now, there is yet a new definition of a tree circulating about. This new definition of a tree is good news for trees since it preserves existing trees and provides incentive for planting more. Scientists are the ones formulating this new definition of a tree. They are discovering that the health of trees is caught up with our own health in ways we have not imagined before. Think of trees as the Earth's lungs that exhale fresh oxygen and inhale the carbon dioxide that animals, decay and civilization discharge. The tree may be a vital organ in a global system more complex than we realize. Using special instruments, scientists have actually observed the breathing of the earth. In the summer the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere drop as forests inhale. In the winter, after photosynthesis subsides, the carbon dioxide levels rise. The breath of civilization and our consumption of fossil fuels causes the carbon dioxide levels to rise even more each year. As deforestation continues in some parts of the world, such as the rain forests, the earth's breathing is growing labored. The world's forests struggle to keep up with the breath of civilization. If a tree is the earth's lungs, then it is apparent we need not only to preserve the ones we have left, but we also have a significant need to plant more. Ah ha, so that's what a tree is. How could we ever have thought otherwise?! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tree Planting Resources ======================= Tree Link Visit this web site first! www.treelink.org They provide information and educational materials on selecting and planting trees, and networking with other urban foresters. The web site features an online version of the book "The Simple Act Of Planting A Tree" which I highly recommend you check out. National Tree Trust Phone (800) 846-TREE or www.nationaltreetrust.org This organization provides free programs, grant money, and information for tree planting and introducing children to the environmental benefits of trees. The National Tree Trust also provides free native tree seedlings for school and community projects. National Arbor Day Foundation Offers curriculum kits, booklets, newsletters, and posters for teaching youth about trees. Check out their web site at www.arbor day.org/teaching/teaching.asp?event= ######################################### A few recommended tree theme books to read with children are: The Lorax by Dr. Suess The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++