native pollinators, will include: visitors. chestnut to Colonial

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1 The Somerset County Park Commission will be celebrating Arbor Day with a Native Tree Give Away event on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. A wide ranging selection of native trees will be available from 9am too 4pm at the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Lord Stirling Park, and at the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden in Colonial Park Gardens. Twenty different tree species native to the Mid Atlantic region of the United States will be offered free of charge while supplies last, and planting demonstrations and instructions on applying the proper horticultural care will be presented. One tree per person or three trees per family will be given away at each location. Many of these native trees are beneficial for native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. The native trees are funded by the Somerset County Park Foundation, a non profit 501c(3) created to preserve, support, and promote Somerset County Park Commission programs, facilities, and open space through advocacy and fundraising. Arbor Day activities at the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden in Colonial Park at Parking Lot A will include: Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 on going planting demonstrations. Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 horticultural advice will be available on selecting the best trees for your planting site and instructions on providing the appropriate cultural care. Arbor Day activities at the EEC will include: Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 on going planting demonstrations. Friday 4/ 24 at 9:30am and 2:30pm the Bernards Township Library will host a story hour at the EEC for young children. Library staff will read age appropriatee children s stories about trees to young visitors. Friday 4/ 24 at 10am and 3pm a Tree Identification walk to the experimental American Chestnut Restoration project site will be led by EEC staff. The EEC has partnered with The American Chestnut Foundationn to plant the first Restoration 1.0 hybrid chestnut trees in New Jersey.. These trees have been bred with American chestnut characteristics and Chinese chestnut blight resistance in an effort to restore the American chestnut to northeastern forests. The Chestnut grove was planted on May 8, 2014 ass part of a long term research study. Somerset County Park Commission is calling on fifth grade Somerset County students to showcase their talents and celebrate trees by designing and creating a tree themed poster to submit in an Arbor Day Poster Contest at the EEC. Entries are due Tuesday, April 14, Arbor Day posters will be on display at the EEC. The Arbor Day Poster Contest theme is: My Best Friend is A Tree. Captions and titles to the posterss will be considered in the judging. A panel of four Somerset County Park Commission Naturalists will select winning posters. The first place winner will receive a Naturalists led program about trees att their school 2nd and 3rd place winners will have their posters displayed at the EEC through May, All participating schools will receivee a tree giveaway Submit posters in person at the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge or by mail at 190 Lord Stirling Road Basking Ridge, NJ The EEC is located at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge and the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden in Colonial Park is located at 156 Mettlers Road, in Somerset (Franklin Township.) For more information about Somerset County Park Commission activities at the EEC contact Jane Parks at , Ext 336, and for activities at Colonial Park Gardens contact Mark Inzano at Ext 23. or visit

2 What are native trees and why are they important? North American native trees and plants are defined as those that existed here withoutt human introduction. They are disappearing at an alarming rate due to human activities. This has had an increasingly negative impact on our planet in many ways. We hope that you will take the time to research more information on this very important matter. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years in a particular region. They are adapted to the local climate, soil types, and animals, and have developed natural defenses to withstand many types of pests and diseases. Due to these traits, native plantss will generally grow well and require little care when grown in proper soils under the right environmental conditions. So, why should you grow native plants as opposed to exotic plants? You will use fewer pesticides and fertilizers. Most pesticides kill indiscriminately, making beneficial insects secondary targets. Beneficial insects maintain the checks and balances of the insect world, preventing pest populations from getting out of control and causing damage to crops and garden plants. The use of fertilizers produces phosphorus and nitrogen run-off into lakes and rivers, causing excess algae growth. This depletes oxygen in our waters, and harms aquatic life. By contrast, native plants help clean water naturally since they generally have deep root systems that anchor soil and act as filters. You will use less water. Growing native plants will also help conserve water. Once minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall. established, native plants need You will be providing shelter and food for wildlife. Wild species evolve with plants; therefore, they usee native plant communities as their habitat. Native plants attract a variety of birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and nteresting critters by providing diversee habitats and food sources. By planting natives, you are helping preserve the balance of the natural ecosystem. Many native plants produce showy flowers, abundant fruits and seeds, and brilliant fall foliage. They are drought resistant and low maintenance e while benefiting the environment. Plant native plants and you will have a beautiful yard that is friendly to wildlife. Beautiful native plants can be seen flourishing throughout the parks and gardens of the Somerset County Park Commission.

3 Planting the Tree The tree you just received is a lifetime investment. Handle it properly during planting to ensure its healthy future. Before planting, call 811 to have all underground utilities located. Carefully follow these simple tree-planting steps to reduce transplant shock (indicated by slow growth and reduced vigor after transplanting g) and to gett your tree established quickly. Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. Make the hole wide, three timess the diameter of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. Break up the soil in a large area around the hole so newly emerging roots have room to expand. Identify the trunk flare. The trunk flare is where the roots spread at the base of the tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted. If it isn t, remove some soil from the top of the root ball. Find it so you can determine how deep thee hole needs to be for proper planting. Remove container from containerized trees. Carefullyy cut down the sides of the container. Inspect the root ball for circling roots and cut or remove them.. Expose the trunk flare. Place the tree at the proper height. Before placing the tree in the hole, check to see that the hole has been dug to the proper depth and no more. Most of the roots on the newly planted tree will develop in the top 12 inches of soil. If the tree is planted too deeply, new roots will have difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen. It is better to plant the tree a little high, 2 to 3 inches above the base of the trunk flare, than to plant it at or below the originall growing level. Always lift the tree by the root ball, and never by the trunk, to avoid damage when setting the tree in the hole. Straighten the tree in the hole. Before you begin backfilling, have someonee view the tree from several directions to confirm that the treee is straight. It is difficult to reposition the tree once you begin backfilling, Fill the hole gently but firmly. Fill the hole about one-third full and gently but firmly pack the soil around the base of the root ball. If the root ball is wrapped, carefully cut and remove any fabric, plastic, string, or wire from around the trunk & root ball. Fill remainder of the hole, packing soil firmly to eliminate air pockets. Add the soil a few inches at a time and settle with water.. Do not apply fertilizer at the time of planting. Stake the tree, if necessary. While staking for supportt is not necessary in most home landscapes, it may be required where lawn mower damage, vandalism, or windy conditions are concerns. Use stakess with a wide, flexible tie material on the lower half of the treee to hold the tree upright, provide flexibility, and minimize injury to the trunk. Remove support staking and ties after the first year of growth. Mulch the base of the tree. Mulch orga anic matter, like leaf litter, pine straw, shreddedd bark, or composted wood chips holds s moisture, moderates soil temperatures, and reduces competition from grass and weeds. A 2- to 4-inch layer is ideal. Be sure that the trunk of the tree is not covered. Doing so may cause decay of the living bark at the base of the tree. A 1- to 2-inch wide mulch-free area at the base of the tree is sufficient to avoid moist bark conditions and prevent decay. Provide follow-up care. Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Water trees at least once a week, barring rain, and more often during hot weather. When the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch, it is time to water. Continue until mid-autumn and taper off. Other follow-up care includes minor pruning of branches damaged during the planting process. Prune sparingly immediately after planting and wait to begin necessary corrective pruningg until after a full season of growth in the new location.

4 Botanical Name Common name Grows to: Zone Exposure Acer rubrum red maple ft. 3-9 Full sun/pt shade Used as a shade tree. Red foliage in fall. Prefers slightly acid, moist soil conditions. Amelanchier canadensis Canadian serviceberry ft. 4-8 Full sun/pt shade Showy white flowers in spring. Orange-red foliage in fall. Edible red berries. Tolerates clay soil. Asimina triloba pawpaw Purple cup-shaped flowers. Yellow-copper red foliage in ft. fall. Yellow 5-9 edible fruit. Full sun/pt shade Tolerates wet soil. Betula alleghaniensis yellow birch 60 ft. 3-7 Full sun/pt shade Yellowish-bronze exfoliating bark. Catkin flowers. Yellow foliage in fall. Grows best in well- drained but moist, slightly acid loam. Betula nigra river birch ft Full sun/pt shade Light pink to reddish brown exfoliating bark. Yellow foliage in fall. Prefers medium to wet conditions. Tolerates deer, clay soil, wet soil, air pollution. Carya ovata shagbark hickory 80 ft. 5-8 Full sun/pt shade Shaggy, plated bark. Edible, oval nuts. Golden-yellow foliage in fall. Adapts to a wide range of soils, growing best in well-drained loam. Tolerates clay soils and black walnut. Carya tomentosa white hickory 60 ft. 5-9 Full sun/pt shade Round to oval ediblee nuts favored by wildlife. Golden yellow-brown foliage in fall. Prefers moist well-drained soil, but tolerates dry conditions and black walnut. Cercis canadensis eastern redbudd ft. 4-9 Full sun/pt shade Often has multiple trunks. Reddish-purple flowers, along full length of branches. Yellow foliage in fall. Grows in most soils except permanently wet. Cornus florida flowering dogwood ft Full sun/pt shade Showy white flowers.. Red foliage and scarlet berries in fall. Tolerates deer, clay soil, black walnut. Fagus grandifolia American beech ft. 3-8 Full sun/pt shade Triangular edible nuts in fall. Bronze foliage in fall. Grows in most soils except heavily compacted or very wet. Tolerates black walnut.

5 Botanical Name Common name Grows to: Zone Exposure Liquidambar styraciflua American sweetgum ft Full sun Round, prickly seed capsules, or gumballs. Star-shaped foliage yellow, red, orange and purple in fall. Needs well-drained soil. Not tolerant of shade or alkaline soils. Nyssa sylvatica black tupelo, black gum ft. 3-9 Full sun/pt shade Greenish white flowers. Dark blue fruits attractive to birds and wildlife. Yellow, orange, red and purple foliage in fall. Prefers moist acidic conditions, andd will tolerate drought and dry soil. Pinus strobus white pine ft. 3-8 Evergreen, bluish-green needles. Pine cones after 5-10 years. Full sun/pt shade Quercus alba white oak 80 ft. 3-9 Full sun Small oval acorns. Brown to dark red foliage in fall. Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils, but will tolerate drought, clay soils and black walnut. Quercus coccinea scarlet oak ft. 4-9 Full sun Acorns and scarlet to russet leaves in fall. Prefers dry, acidic, sandy soils in full sun. Tolerates drought conditions and black walnut. Quercus bicolor swamp white oak ft. 3-8 Shade tree. Yellow foliage in fall. Acorns. Tolerates wet soil. Full sun Quercus marilandicaa blackjack oak ft. 6-9 Full sun Produces acorns with yellow-brown caps, attractive to wildlife. Yellow-brown to russet foliage in fall. Grows in dry, acidic soils and poor quality soils. Not tolerant of wet conditions. Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak ft. 5-9 Full sun Chestnut-like leaves. Bronze-red foliage in fall. Acorns eaten by wildlife. Best grown in acidic, moist loams. Grows well in sandy soils. Tolerates wet soils and occasional flooding. Salix discolor pussy willow 6-15 ft. 4-8 Full sun/pt shade Silky pearl-gray catkins in early spring. Tolerates deer, black walnut. Thrives in moist soils, but tolerates somewhat drier soils better than most other willows. Intolerant of dry soils. Taxodium distichum bald cypress ft. 4-9 Full sun Feathery, yellowish-green foliage, turns cinnamon brownn in fall. Deciduous conifer. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soils, but tolerates a range of soil conditions from dryish soils to wet soils in standing water.