Friday, May 31, 2019
Friday, May 24, 2019
Friday, May 17, 2019
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Friends of the Major Taylor Trail meeting on Mon. 5/20
Friends of the Major Taylor Trail will meet at Ridge Park fieldhouse, 1817 W 96th St., from 7-8:30 pm on Monday 5/20. Topics will include upcoming rides and workdays, trail improvements, proposal for new bike parking and Divvy expansion.
https://www.thechainlink.org/events/friends-of-the-major-taylor-trail-meeting-83
Anyone is welcome. We'd love to see more people get involved.
https://www.thechainlink.org/events/friends-of-the-major-taylor-trail-meeting-83
Anyone is welcome. We'd love to see more people get involved.
Major Taylor Trail Roll to the River ride Sat. 5/18
The ride happens this Saturday 5/18.
8:30 am meetup, 9 am start at the Dan Ryan Woods parking lot on the north side of 83rd St. just east of Western. Map link here.
There are 2 distances: 18 miles and 40 miles. Please do wear your helmet and get ready to roll. Everyone will ride the Major Taylor Trail together, then split into 2 groups by ride distance.
You'll get a chance to see a new piece of public art along the way, as well as the huge mural on the bridge over the Little Calumet River.
More information and ride registration at this link.
8:30 am meetup, 9 am start at the Dan Ryan Woods parking lot on the north side of 83rd St. just east of Western. Map link here.
There are 2 distances: 18 miles and 40 miles. Please do wear your helmet and get ready to roll. Everyone will ride the Major Taylor Trail together, then split into 2 groups by ride distance.
You'll get a chance to see a new piece of public art along the way, as well as the huge mural on the bridge over the Little Calumet River.
More information and ride registration at this link.
Monday, May 13, 2019
taking better care of the trees in our yards
I see many people in the neighborhood hire landscapers or do mulching around trees themselves. Without knowing it, this well intentioned act is often done incorrectly, which can be unhealthy for our neighborhood trees. Having the right amount of mulch is beneficial, while piling it too deep, can cause problems. Here's more information on how to do mulching correctly and keep trees healthier.
“Volcano Mulching,” a practice used by many landscape companies and some homeowners, is when a mulch ring 2-3 feet wide and over 4 inches deep is placed around trees. This practice is extremely harmful to the health of trees.
If your tree has been volcano mulched, use gloved hands to remove mulch from the base of the tree, exposing the root flare (the area where the roots turn out and away from the tree). Do not use a rake or shovel, as this can damage delicate roots. If removing years of layered mulch by hand is too difficult, hire a tree care company that will use an air spade to do the job.
Mulching is one of the most beneficial things that you can do to keep your trees healthy. If done incorrectly, however, it can also lead to the death of your tree. Mulching increases soil organic matter, water-holding capacity and nutrient availability. It also acts as an insulator, buffering the soil from rapid temperature changes. It helps control weeds and protects the trees’ trunk from being hit by the lawn equipment.
Here's some helpful about mulching trees:
Make sure that mulch is pulled a few inches away from the base of the tree to expose the root flare, usually 4-6 inches. Mulch should be applied approximately 4 inches deep in a donut-shaped ring. This will settle to a desirable two inches after a few rains, and is shallow enough to allow rain to reach the roots.
Mulch out away from the tree in a 4-5 foot diameter. Ideally, trees should be mulched to the drip line (below the farthest reaching branches). Consider mixing hardwood mulch with grass clippings, sawdust, pine needles, compost, and shredded leaves to increase porosity. Using a groundcover plant instead of mulch or grass is also a good choice. Check mulch levels annually. Trees often do not need to be mulched every year.
Piling mulch high around the base of the tree should be avoided. This causes damage to the bark due to constant moisture, diseases, termites, rodents, and fungus. It also causes rainwater to run off before it has a chance to soak into the root area.
Here's an example of volcano mulching where the roots are buried way too deep.
Mulch should not be piled higher than 4 inches from the ground. Doing so causes roots to migrate to the surface to “breathe” and access water exposing them to a variety of health risks. Cypress mulch should be avoided. It is very water absorbent, reducing the amount of water that reaches the tree roots. The logging of cypress trees destroys cypress forests in the swamps of Florida and Georgia - a significant ecosystem in the region.
On a related note, please don't build raised planter areas around the base of your trees. Similar to the deep mulch example in the paragraph above, burying tree roots under a planter bed causes them to migrate to the surface in search of oxygen. These roots will circle around inside the bed - a problem known as root girdling. This can shorten the life of the tree.
Here's an example of what happens to your tree when you build a raised planter area around it. This is a medium sized maple tree that had a foot-high planter bed around it for years. After that was removed, this extreme example of root girdling was revealed. Much of the canopy is already dying. This tree could have had a much longer life, and it's likely to be dead within a few years.
Dyed mulch is less desirable. It is usually made from chemically-treated scrap lumber that can leach chemicals into the soil. The dye itself is also often made from synthetic chemicals. It's worth discussing this issue with your landscaper, or carefully considering your choices at the garden center if you're doing you're own mulching, to help your trees be as healthy as possible.
More information on volcano mulching and proper mulching techniques:
Mulch Volcanoes - University of Illinois Extension
https://extension.illinois.edu/gardenerscorner/issue_07/spring_05_11.cfm
The Pros and Cons of Mulch - University of Illinois Extension
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=20691
Mulching Trees and Shrubs - The Morton Arboretum
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/horticulture-care/mulching-trees-and-shrubs
Remember - donut shaped mulch rings with breathing room around tree trunks are healthier. Most landscapers don't know anything about tree health. If your landscaper is making mulch volcanoes, instruct them about the donut method. Tell them that the info comes from Morton Arboretum and University of Illinois and that it's available online if they have questions. You'll be doing your trees a favor, and it will be better for the trees they work around in other people's yards.
“Volcano Mulching,” a practice used by many landscape companies and some homeowners, is when a mulch ring 2-3 feet wide and over 4 inches deep is placed around trees. This practice is extremely harmful to the health of trees.
If your tree has been volcano mulched, use gloved hands to remove mulch from the base of the tree, exposing the root flare (the area where the roots turn out and away from the tree). Do not use a rake or shovel, as this can damage delicate roots. If removing years of layered mulch by hand is too difficult, hire a tree care company that will use an air spade to do the job.
Mulching is one of the most beneficial things that you can do to keep your trees healthy. If done incorrectly, however, it can also lead to the death of your tree. Mulching increases soil organic matter, water-holding capacity and nutrient availability. It also acts as an insulator, buffering the soil from rapid temperature changes. It helps control weeds and protects the trees’ trunk from being hit by the lawn equipment.
Here's some helpful about mulching trees:
Make sure that mulch is pulled a few inches away from the base of the tree to expose the root flare, usually 4-6 inches. Mulch should be applied approximately 4 inches deep in a donut-shaped ring. This will settle to a desirable two inches after a few rains, and is shallow enough to allow rain to reach the roots.
Mulch out away from the tree in a 4-5 foot diameter. Ideally, trees should be mulched to the drip line (below the farthest reaching branches). Consider mixing hardwood mulch with grass clippings, sawdust, pine needles, compost, and shredded leaves to increase porosity. Using a groundcover plant instead of mulch or grass is also a good choice. Check mulch levels annually. Trees often do not need to be mulched every year.
Piling mulch high around the base of the tree should be avoided. This causes damage to the bark due to constant moisture, diseases, termites, rodents, and fungus. It also causes rainwater to run off before it has a chance to soak into the root area.
Here's an example of volcano mulching where the roots are buried way too deep.
 |
| Mulch is about 1 foot deep against the trunk of the tree. |
 |
| Another issue - the tree has outgrown the protective collar put on when it was planted. These are intended to protect against lawn mower wounds. If the tree has outgrown the collar to the point where the collar has an open gap, please remove it. |
On a related note, please don't build raised planter areas around the base of your trees. Similar to the deep mulch example in the paragraph above, burying tree roots under a planter bed causes them to migrate to the surface in search of oxygen. These roots will circle around inside the bed - a problem known as root girdling. This can shorten the life of the tree.
Here's an example of what happens to your tree when you build a raised planter area around it. This is a medium sized maple tree that had a foot-high planter bed around it for years. After that was removed, this extreme example of root girdling was revealed. Much of the canopy is already dying. This tree could have had a much longer life, and it's likely to be dead within a few years.
Dyed mulch is less desirable. It is usually made from chemically-treated scrap lumber that can leach chemicals into the soil. The dye itself is also often made from synthetic chemicals. It's worth discussing this issue with your landscaper, or carefully considering your choices at the garden center if you're doing you're own mulching, to help your trees be as healthy as possible.
More information on volcano mulching and proper mulching techniques:
Mulch Volcanoes - University of Illinois Extension
https://extension.illinois.edu/gardenerscorner/issue_07/spring_05_11.cfm
The Pros and Cons of Mulch - University of Illinois Extension
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=20691
Mulching Trees and Shrubs - The Morton Arboretum
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/horticulture-care/mulching-trees-and-shrubs
Remember - donut shaped mulch rings with breathing room around tree trunks are healthier. Most landscapers don't know anything about tree health. If your landscaper is making mulch volcanoes, instruct them about the donut method. Tell them that the info comes from Morton Arboretum and University of Illinois and that it's available online if they have questions. You'll be doing your trees a favor, and it will be better for the trees they work around in other people's yards.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Ride of SIlence on Wed. 5/15
Ride of Silence is an international event that commemorates the loss of bicyclists' lives from traffic violence. There are rides at several locations in the Chicago area on Wednesday evening.
The Chicago ride starts at Daley Plaza in the Loop. Click here for info.
The Oak Lawn ride starts at the Metra station on 95th St. Click here for info.
You can find other locations and information here.
No one deserves to die in a crash. Let's remember those who were lost in crashes. With more awareness and safer street designs, I hope that we have fewer deaths in future years.
The Chicago ride starts at Daley Plaza in the Loop. Click here for info.
The Oak Lawn ride starts at the Metra station on 95th St. Click here for info.
You can find other locations and information here.
No one deserves to die in a crash. Let's remember those who were lost in crashes. With more awareness and safer street designs, I hope that we have fewer deaths in future years.
Friday, May 10, 2019
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Ridge Park workday 5/18 - help us take care of our trees
On Saturday 5/18 from 10 am to 1 pm, your neighborhood Treekeepers are hosting a workday to give the trees in Ridge Park (1817 W 96th St.) a bit of TLC. They could really use some mulch. This is a team effort, so we could use your help. We will meet at the south end of the parking lot.
No special skills are needed. We'll teach you what you need to know. If you have work gloves that you like, you're welcome to bring them, otherwise we'll have some available for use during the workday. Please wear shoes, hiking boots or work boots that provide good support, as well as comfortable clothing suitable for yard work.
Student volunteers are welcome.
If you plan to come, it would be great if you could send an email so that we know how many volunteers to expect. If you are a Treekeeper, please register here.
No special skills are needed. We'll teach you what you need to know. If you have work gloves that you like, you're welcome to bring them, otherwise we'll have some available for use during the workday. Please wear shoes, hiking boots or work boots that provide good support, as well as comfortable clothing suitable for yard work.
Student volunteers are welcome.
If you plan to come, it would be great if you could send an email so that we know how many volunteers to expect. If you are a Treekeeper, please register here.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Major Taylor Trail workday on 5/4 (tomorrow)
Please join Friends of the Major Taylor Trail for a trail clean-up workday this Saturday morning from 9 am to noon.
This event will focus on the trail near 111th St. We will pick up trash, trim trees, and do other clean-up as needed. It's helpful if you register in advance so we have an idea of how many volunteers to expect.
Eventbrite link here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/major-taylor-trail-park-earth-day-clean-up-tickets-53658087785?aff=eand&fbclid=IwAR2DYJHH39npn3Nd6HexJYdBew4ki38VZRSkduDx4cTlYbkbzKohwMgLgrg
If you are coming by transit, the nearest routes are the 111 bus on 111th, or the 108 or 352 bus on Halsted.
This event will focus on the trail near 111th St. We will pick up trash, trim trees, and do other clean-up as needed. It's helpful if you register in advance so we have an idea of how many volunteers to expect.
Eventbrite link here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/major-taylor-trail-park-earth-day-clean-up-tickets-53658087785?aff=eand&fbclid=IwAR2DYJHH39npn3Nd6HexJYdBew4ki38VZRSkduDx4cTlYbkbzKohwMgLgrg
If you are coming by transit, the nearest routes are the 111 bus on 111th, or the 108 or 352 bus on Halsted.
non sequitur Friday
No video, just audio here - local Cuban-style band.
Al Vaiven de my Carreta - and several more tunes at that link...
Al Vaiven de my Carreta - and several more tunes at that link...
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