pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Pawpaw is a small, deciduous tree with a mature height and spread of 15 to 25 feet. Excellent for wildlife, it is also useful for naturalized landscaping. The small rose-purple flower adds unique color in the spring. Appropriate for small yards and naturalized areas, the upward arching limbs add beauty to any yard. The edible fruit starts green and ripens to a brown varying from 1 to 6 inches in various rounded shapes. Small and large animals will compete to get to the custard like fruit.
Native Range:
Plant illustration by Dale Larison, Missouri Department of Conservation
Range map modified from Virginia Tech Dendrology Web site - www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/
dendrology/main.htm
Arbor Day
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The first Friday in April is the official Arbor Day in Missouri, April 1, 2005, this year and National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April (April 29, 2003). This does not mean your community must celebrate Arbor Day then. Your community can set Arbor Day any day you prefer. Many communities hold ceremonies on Saturday´s to maximize public attendance. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate this historic event whenever you choose.
There are several ways to celebrate Arbor Day. Of course the traditional way is to plant a tree, but you do not have to stop there. Arbor Day celebrations provides unique opportunities to educate people, get people together in a joint cause, and promote proper tree selection and care. The National Arbor Day Foundation has several suggestions on how to celebrate Arbor Day including presenting a play about a conversation between some kids and a statue of J. Sterling Morton, a block party, and others.
Arbor Day celebrations also provide the opportunity for organizations to work together. Groups that do not always work together can come together for trees. How about the Senior Citizens and a kindergarten class, or the electric utility, park board, and garden club, or a poetry club with local businesses, or any number of combinations of groups. All to celebrate trees.
Need more information or ideas for Arbor Day? The National Arbor Day Foundation provides the history of Arbor Day, teaching materials (many free), celebration ideas, and a free booklet titled “Celebrate Arbor Day Guidebook” and more on their web site at www.arborday.org/arborday/.
Free and Low-Cost Trees Available
Forest Releaf of Missouri is again offering free trees through its´ Project Communitree program and low-cost trees through its´ Project ReLeaf program. Anyone may apply for the trees; however, they must be planted on public or nonprofit properties in Missouri or surrounding communities in adjacent states.
Project Communitree trees are in three-gallon containers and are generally four to six-feet tall. The majority of the trees are native shade tree species. You may apply for trees simply by completing a brief application. Trees must be picked up at their nursery near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport beginning in March. They are in limited supply and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The list of available species will change as applications are approved.
Project ReLeaf trees are balled and burlapped with sizes designated by heights of three to seven feet, or calipers of 1.25 and 1.5 inches. You may apply for trees simply by completing a brief application. Trees must be picked up in April at their nursery near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
Contact Michelle Johnson at 314-533-5323 to obtain applications and updated specie list. You may also print applications from their website, www.moreleaf.org, click on Programs, then Project Communitree or Project Releaf.
Missouri Community Forestry Council 12th Annual Conference
March 3rd and 4th are going to be two information packed days. Topics will stress the relationship of trees and turf, including a walking tour of Tan-Tar-A´s golf course. Other topics include Tree and Storm Water Protection During Development, insect and disease issues for urban environments, The Missouri Arboretum Concept, Tree Biology, Tree Problem Diagnoses, and Pruning.
Being held inconjuction with the MPRA annual conference at the Tan-Tar-A Resort. Registration of $80 is due February 10, 2005. Late registration and registration at the door is higher. The registration form may be downloaded from their website at www.mocommunitytrees.com/pages/3/index.htm.
Trees & Utilities National Conference - April 18 - 20, 2005
Over the past 12 years, the Trees & Utilities National Conference has been an important educational event in the utility arboricultural industry. This year´s conference will continue that tradition by focusing on some of the most important issues facing the industry today. You´ll get a regulatory update on FERC and NERC, get an insider´s view on the new ANSI standards for vegetation management, hear from several individuals intimately involved in hurricane response efforts, and you´ll learn how to coordinate your efforts with FEMA, and a broad agenda showcasing exemplary efforts in public education, public relations, and communication, tree planting and care, utility/community cooperation, and other vegetation management issues.
Registration is $325 and due April 4, 2005. For more information, a brochure, or to register contact NADF at 888-448-7337, conferences@arborday.org, or www.arborday.org/TUconference/