Martin O’Malley, governor of Maryland, has approved plans for the construction of a pavilion in Wye Oak State Park in honor of the state’s fallen champion, the Wye Oak. Once the largest of its kind in the country, the oak was believed to be over 460 years old. It was first measured and nationally recognized in 1909, and was the first nominee for the American Forests’ Hall of Fame a mere ten years later. It reined as the National Champion White Oak for decades.  The state of Maryland has been proud of their Wye Oak for decades, having originally purchased it for conservation in 1939, and declaring it the state tree in 1941.
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The Key to Autumn Comfort is Moderation
This refers to moderation of temperatures of course. During these autumn days of warm days and cool nights, often referred to as second summer, it is important to keep your home temperature stable in order to remain comfortable. Trees insulate your home and block wind during the cool nights and they shade your doors and windows during the warm days. Save significant money from heating and air conditioning bills by carefully planning your tree landscaping to properly block wind and shade windows. You can save one third off your energy bill. READ MORE National Renewable Energy Laboratory Read More

“Historical weather events can be confirmed by using information from tree rings, rings of annual growth displayed in a tree’s trunk. For example, the occurrence of hurricanes can be estimated by looking at tree rings of old trees. The moisture of hurricanes carries a different ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 than the normal rain that trees absorb. When that moisture falls near a tree, it is absorbed, and that ratio of oxygen is reflected in that year's ring. Next time you see a tree stump, try counting the rings to see how old the tree was. Each ring represents the amount of new growth the tree achieved each year. READ MORE

Windy weather can cause problems for trees around your home.  When branches fall, they can come into contact with electrical lines, your home, and can be a hazard for drivers on the street.  Pruning or trimming is a way to prevent excessive damage from tree branches.  If your tree is located by a power line, make sure to keep your tree’s crown from growing too close or even on the power line to avoid electrical shortages and fires. 
The goal of pruning trees is to avoid hazards and remove dead and dying branches to keep trees healthy.  You can prune by hand or chainsaw, but as soon as you consider climbing a ladder with a chainsaw – don’t!  Call a certified arborist to get the job done correctly and safely.
Click here to find a certified arborist