Trees – Page 9

Demand for seedlings down sharply

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 1, 2008

The demand for tree seedlings is down sharply, according to this article in the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.).

A great investment

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 24, 2008

What’s one of the best investments you can make in your home? If you’re a member of our target audience, you probably know the answer. As it turns out, Portland-based personal finance blogger J.D. Roth and his wife, Kris, (both college classmates of mine) know it as well, and yesterday, Kris shared a wealth of […]

A greener Christmas this year?

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 21, 2008

With the economy as it is, retailers are expecting an absolutely dreadful holiday shopping season, but that may not be the case for Christmas tree growers. According to the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, sales of real Christmas trees usually go up when the economy is in a downturn. Sales went up in 2002, which […]

The incredible, edible … yard?

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 17, 2008

That’s right. Edible yard — as in fruit trees, berry shrubs, vegetable starts and the like. We’ve been hearing for a while now that edibles are the hot and happening thing, and the Capital Press (Salem, Ore.) is the latest to report on it: “My clients are asking for edible plants,” landscape designer Liz Frances […]

2009 Oregon heritage tree calendar available

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 7, 2008

The 2009 Heritage and Community Trees of Oregon calendar is now available from Oregon Community Trees, just in time for the holiday season. Each month profiles a significant tree or urban forest in Oregon, and includes tree planting and care tips and resources. The cost is $14 per calendar, with discounts for higher quantities. Download […]

One burdensome requirement avoided

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 21, 2008

Many industries bringing plant material into the United States will be required to file a Lacey Act disclosure beginning on Dec. 15, according to USDA/APHIS. But thanks to some astute lobbying, the nursery industry will not be among them. The new Lacey Act provision (PDF) was included in the 2008 Farm Bill, approved in May. […]

Master Gardener course returns to Portland

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 17, 2008

It’s been six years since Master Gardener training was last offered in Portland, but now, the drought is over. An 11-week course will be taught from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every Thursday, starting Jan. 8 and ending March 19, at Central Lutheran Church, 8120 N.E. 21st Ave (directions), Portland. Registration is underway online. The deadline to […]

Tuesday afternoon Green Industry Seminars kick off Oct. 28

By Curt Kipp — Posted October 15, 2008

The 2008 Willamette Valley Green Industry Seminars will be every Tuesday afternoon from Oct. 28-Dec. 14 at the Oregon Garden’s Natural Resource Education Center, Silverton, Ore. Each class is from 1-4:15 p.m., and the cost is $45 per session, $105 for any three, or $225 for all of them. The initial seminar, Oct. 28, is […]

Out-of-state firewood: bad

By Curt Kipp — Posted September 25, 2008

Oregon residents are being asked to make sure that if they purchase firewood, that it comes from Oregon. According to Dan Hilburn, administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division, that’s because firewood often allows diseases and invasive species to hitchhike to new locales, endangering trees and nursery stocks in whole new areas. Officials […]

Kousa dogwood IDd as P. ramorum host

By Curt Kipp — Posted September 9, 2008

USDA APHIS officials indicate they are planning to add the Kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa, to the list of plants that have been identified as hosts for Phytophthora ramorum, the destructive plant pathogen that’s also known as sudden oak death. The species of dogwood will now come under federal regulations designed to combat the spread of […]