Palo Alto Arbor Day Festival: March 10
Mitchell Park Bowl from 10AM to 1PM
FREE FAMILY-FUN FESTIVAL:
10:00 - Ceremonial Tree Planting to honor the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts and the 100th Anniversary of Arbor Day!
10:15 - Tree Climbing Circus: Kids learn and climb
with Tim Womick and Chad Brey
10:30 - Rare Trees of Mitchell Park with Arborist Kevin Raftery
11:00 - Concert: Banana Slug String Band (see photo)
12:10 - New Library Tree Design:
Sneak peak tour with City Arborist, Dave Dockter
Also Featuring:
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Pruning Deciduous Trees: Timing and Effects
by Ellyn Shea, Certified Arborist
Spring is here! Many trees that lost their leaves last fall are beginning to leaf out. Is it the right time to prune?  Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves every year, follow a specific biological cycle. Understanding this rhythm can assist us in the timing of pruning.
 | | Dormant tree |
Traditionally, deciduous trees have been pruned while dormant. At this time, the tree is living on stored sugars that were produced by last year's photosynthesis. Pruning now will generally stimulate vigorous growth in spring, and give the tree more time to close the pruning wounds.
 | | Buds swelling |
As the buds swell and open in spring, the sap under the bark begins flowing. Pruning wounds on some species will ooze or "bleed" more profusely, and bark may tear and rip more easily. Generally, avoid pruning during this time unless there is a specific reason.
When the tree is in full
 | | Full leaf |
leaf, it has just expended a lot of energy for growth. The new leaves are capturing sunlight for photosynthesis, creating food the tree will use for growth, reproduction and other functions. Pruning a deciduous tree in full leaf reduces photosynthesis. Less food means less energy, which reduces next year's growth. If reducing growth is desirable, pruning a healthy, vigorous deciduous tree in summer can be useful. However, you may overly weaken an elderly, diseased or stressed tree by pruning at this time.
In autumn, as
 | | Leaf drop |
leavesdrop, the tree reserves energy to prepare for dormancy. Pruning wounds made now will close more slowly. Many wood decay fungi are producing spores that can get into pruning cuts. In colder climates, frosts may damage any new growth stimulated by pruning. Unless there is a specific reason, avoid pruning at this time. Watch the tree, not the calendar, to observe when dormancy, bud swell, full leaf and leaf drop occur. These events will vary somewhat from year to year depending on weather and tree species. The deciduous tree growth cycle is only one factor to consider when deciding the timing of pruning. Other factors include maximizing flower and fruit production, fruit quality, and pest and disease issues. Don't wait to prune broken or hazardous branches. In general, avoid removing more than 25% of the living foliage in any one year. Before pruning anything, it's important to identify the kind of tree with Canopy's Tree Library, and the reason for pruning. Consult one of the Certified Arborists on Canopy's website to assist you further.  Ellyn Shea is a Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Risk Assessor, Registered Consulting Arborist and educator with over 12 years' experience in the field. She currently works part time at Tree Management Experts, a consulting firm in San Francisco. In the past, she ran the Tree Care Program at Friends of the Urban Forest. Recent educational projects include the tree key for www.urbantreekey.org, a couple of arborist exam study classes, and three pruning videos, most recently for the University of California. She's also got a few gardening clients and - some might say - too many houseplants. Visit her at www.treelearning.blogspot.com.
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New "Pocket Park" in East Palo Alto!
And Wanjira Mathai Visits Her Mother's Tree
Last weekend, the City of  East Palo Alto celebrated and opened a new "Pocket Park" for local residents at the corner of Newbridge & Bay Road in East Palo Alto. Before 2006 this small fenced off area was inaccessible to the community. Today, thanks to the efforts of the City of East Palo Alto, this new park will provide countless benefits to the public.
One week earlier Wanjira Mathai - daughter of Nobel Prize Winner Wangari Maathai -- came to visit her mother's olive tree, the first tree Canopy planted in East Palo Alto in 2006. See photo with (from left to right) GreenBelt staff, Steve Mills; EPA Maintenance Manager, Jay Farr; EPA Vice Mayor, Ruben Abrica; Wanjira Mathai; former East Palo Alto Mayor, Pat Foster; and Catherine Martineau. Canopy planted 1,200 trees along the soundwall's of East Palo Alto following Wangari's inspirational planting of the first tree -- an olive tree -- on April 30, 2006 (Video).
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11 New Trees at Escondido Elementary
Young Cork Oaks to Shade Little Ones
February 25, 2012 -- Canopy  hosted a school service day to plant 11 new trees at Escondido Elementary School! More than 25 parents, students, and volunteers came together to plant shade and fruit trees that will make a lasting difference at Escondido School. ( Photos) Special thanks goes to Principal Danae Reynolds and parent Kristen Anderson for organizing. Everyone did an amazing job and completed the planting with efficiency and excellence! This planting was part of Canopy's Healthy Trees, Healthy Kids! initiative to plant 1,000 trees at local schools by 2015. At this event we brought our total to 464 trees that have been planted at schools since last year!
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33 New Trees at Belle Haven Elementary!
Facebook + Community Comes Out Strong!
 On February 13, 2012, Canopy hosted Facebook employees for a community planting of 33 trees at Belle Haven Elementary School in Menlo Park. Despite windy and down-pouring rain conditions, more than 60 students, Canopy volunteers and Facebook employees came together to plant shade and fruit trees to make a lasting difference at the school. Special thanks to Lauren Swezey at Facebook and Community School Director Alejandro Vilchez for all of their efforts! (Photos) In the photo students Jose Arreola, Bryan Avalos and Juan Mora, all 14 years old, planted an oak tree (photo by Kirstina Sangsahachart/ Daily News). Chris Thompson, parent at Belle Haven Elementary later wrote: "Thank you for including the students in your project. It is a wonderful way for them to learn hard work and team work among many other things. My son Dudley had a great time."
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Catherine Martineau Elected to ReLeaf Board
Invitation Strengthens Regional Approach
The California ReLeaf Board of  Directors elected its newest member, Catherine Martineau, at its January meeting.
California ReLeaf is an alliance of community-based groups, individuals, industry, and government agencies. Members improve the livability of cities and protect the environment by planting and caring for trees, and the state's urban and community forests. "The staff and Board are honored to welcome Catherine" said Joe Liszewski, Executive Director of California ReLeaf, and "we look forward to working with her as our organization addresses critical issues throughout the state". Catherine joins a robust Board of Directors which also recently welcomed Dr. Desiree Backman of the Public Health Institute and Dr. Matt Ritter, author of a Californian's Guide to the Trees Among Us and Professor of Biology at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo.
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Farewell Elliott Wright
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
Canopy Friends
I am writing to announce that today, March 1st, Elliott Wright is starting a new chapter in his career with The Nature Conservancy based in San Francisco. He will continue to live here in Palo Alto.
It has been a real pleasure working with Elliott and we are grateful for his many contributions. We know that he will be a friend of Canopy for many years to come and he will continue to serve as a volunteer on the Canopy Finance Committee.
We'll soon have a positing for theDevelopment and Communications Director position. In the meantime I will be the point of contact.
Thank you,
Catherine Martineau
Executive Director
650-964-6110 x2
[email protected]
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Do Not Destroy Exhibit
Now through May 28, 2012
 "Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought," on view at the San Francisco's Contemporary Jewish Museum today through May 28, explores the subject of the tree in contemporary art and inspired by the themes of the holiday Tu B'Shevat (New Year for the Tree).
MENTION CANOPY when purchasing admission, and get TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! For more info, hours, and location: www.thecjm.org.
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Tree Walks in 2012
Monthly, Free, and Fun!
Join us every month on the second Saturday from 10 am to Noon. Click here to sign up.
March 10th - Mitchell Park
(Arbor Day Festival,10:30AM)
April 14th - Jr. Museum & Zoo
May 12th - Comm. Center
June 9th - Old Palo Alto
July 14th - College Terrace
August 11th - West Bayshore
Sept. 8th - University South
October 13th - Southgate
Nov. 10th - Crescent Park
Click the above links to see the self-guided Tree Walks or request a brochure: [email protected] or call 650-964-6110 x1
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Trees and Water Class
RSVP: (650) 329-2241
Striking the balance between watering trees and conserving water resources is important.
Palo Alto's Public Utilities Department will be offering a class to discuss proper irrigation and care techniques to preserve the long-term vitality and growth of trees in your landscape, even within a water conserving design:
Where: Palo Alto Lucie Stern Community Center
Date: March 28, 2012
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Instructor: Keith Reeves
Free, but due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. Call to reserve your spot: (650) 329-2241.
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Facebook Friends!
Grant = $1/ New "Like"
Canopy TreE-News Readers: Please "Like" us on Facebook
We have a grant that will honor Canopy with $1 / new "Like" now through Arbor Day on March 10, 2012. Please share our good work with your friends who appreciate local trees, education workshops, events, and more! Thank you!
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Sponsor Highlight: WCISA
Mary Pendleton, Member Services
Phone: 415-571-8616
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