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Help Save our Hemlocks!

Posted on January 13, 2023

Hemlocks are large, Christmas tree-like evergreens with gently drooping branches and lots of delicate leaves that provide dense shade. They are native trees that can be found throughout this part of Michigan, and they provide beneficial shade that keeps rivers and streams cool for cold-water fish like salmon and trout, and winter shelter from the elements for deer and other animals. Some people think their leaves when crushed smell similar to the unrelated plant poison hemlock, hence their name (rest assured, the trees are not poisonous).

Unfortunately, our hemlocks are currently under threat from a nasty invasive insect, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Like most invasive species, these tiny but destructive bugs were introduced to Michigan accidentally, in this case on infested nursery stock. They latch onto the base of the hemlock’s needles and feed on the sugars the tree stores there, killing it within the space of a few years.

You can help us stop the woolly adelgid from spreading! If you have hemlocks on your property, winter (AKA right now!) is a great time to examine your trees for infestation. When the insects attach to the needles, they develop a thick, woolly white coat, about the size of a grain of rice—small, but visible. Look for them on the underside of the needles. You can see what to look for in the photo below.

Other things you can do: don’t plant hemlocks in your yard. Woolly adelgids are often transported on nursey stock. Don’t move firewood from one area to another—you may be moving the insects to a new place as well! Don’t walk near hemlock trees. The wooly adelgid might decide to take a ride with you on your clothing (and in their non-woolly form, they are so small you probably won’t see them there). Finally, use the boot brushes installed at the trailhead of all our nature preserves, and many other natural areas, to ensure there are no little hitchhikers on your shoes.

These gnarly bugs have wreaked havoc on the hemlock population in the Appalachian Mountains. Please help us keep them from doing the same here!

If you think you have woolly adelgids on your hemlock trees, report it on MISIN.msu.edu by clicking REPORT at the top of the page. Or, email or text a photo to the SWxSW CISMA Coordinator Alex Florian at invasivesed@vanburencd.org or 269-633-9044.

Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees...Which Should You Choose?

Posted on December 6, 2024

When it comes to sustainability during the holidays, one question often stands out for folks who celebrate Christmas: Should you buy a real tree or an artificial one? Like most things in life, the answer to that question isn’t as straightforward as you might think—it depends on several factors, including how you use and dispose of your tree. Let’s break it down!

Artificial Trees
Artificial Christmas trees are usually made of plastic and are often manufactured overseas, meaning they come with a hefty carbon footprint before they even reach your living room. On the plus side, they can be reused for many years. However, research suggests you’d need to keep an artificial tree for anywhere from 5 to 20 years to offset the environmental impact.

Real Trees
The idea of cutting a tree down once a year (or even just once!) might feel crazy. But, “the chop” can come with surprising environmental benefits. Think about it: Christmas trees are typically grown on tree farms, not harvested from forests. These trees wouldn’t exist at all if not for Christmas tree farmers. Like any real tree, the trees on tree farms create habitat for wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide, and emit oxygen. Plus, real trees are biodegradable and can be composted, turned into mulch, or used for other eco-friendly purposes. And, if you buy local, you’ll be supporting a local farmer.

The Complications
If you have to drive a considerable distance to get to a Christmas tree farm, the carbon emissions from your vehicle can outweigh the benefits of buying a real tree. And, depending on where you’re located, you might run the risk of bringing home invasive insects.

Okay...so then what!? Well, if you don't plan on moving closer to a Christmas tree farm or downsizing, it's perfectly fine to buy an artificial tree and keep it for several years. As an alternative, try to purchase a gently used tree...or commit to a new house plant and decorate that instead!

The Verdict
If you’re looking for the most sustainable option, real trees are the greener choice—but only if they’re responsibly sourced and properly disposed of. Choose a tree from a local farm or a certified sustainable grower to minimize transportation emissions. Once the holidays are over, recycle your tree at a designated drop-off location or repurpose it in your yard.

For those who already own an artificial tree, the best thing you can do is keep using it for as long as possible. Avoid discarding it unless absolutely necessary. And if you need to get rid of it, consider donating it.

Ultimately, whether you choose a real or fake tree, being mindful of your decision and how it impacts the environment means that you're on the right track!

Minor Plant, Major Annoyance

Posted on October 30, 2024

As the saying goes, “It’s the little things,” and lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) is no exception. This little plant is causing COL staff a major headache on multiple preserves, namely at Robinson Woods and Flynn Woods.

The Problem
You might already be familiar with Vinca. It was originally brought over from Europe for landscaping, and it is a popular addition to yards and gardens to this day. Some people even mistake it for a native spring ephemeral—it produces tiny, pinwheel-like purple flowers in March or April. While not technically classified as an invasive species in Michigan, Vinca minor is a non-native species with a tendency to take over areas of forest floors and crowd out natives.

In Robinson Woods, you can find spring ephemerals like prairie trillium trying to survive in the dense layer of Vinca. And trust us, it would be way cooler to have a blanket of varied wildflowers greeting hikers at the trailhead each spring instead of that big ol’ patch of Vinca.

Earlier this year, COL staff, volunteers, and Mighty Acorns students hand-pulled countless bags of this viney plant on multiple occasions (maybe you even helped us). While we certainly cleared a lot, this control method was time-consuming and the jury is still out on what percentage will grow back. Plus, Vinca isn't our TOP priority. Like we mentioned earlier, it's not officially considered an invasive species, but there are still better, native options that would be more beneficial to wildlife.

The Project
To save staff and volunteer time, our field crew has decided to do a science experiment to determine the most effective treatment method. Over the next six months, our crew will treat several test plots of Vinca using a variety of herbicide and surfactant mixtures at three points in the year: fall, winter, and spring. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover will be noted at the time of each treatment.

They will revisit the test plots one month after the initial application and then again the following season to assess what percentage of Vinca was affected by each unique mixture. They'll also monitor the presence of spring ephemerals along the way.

Recently, our crew finished the fall application. Five 2m x 2m test plots were treated in the initial application (boundaries are marked by the red pin flags):There's obviously nothing to report yet, but we're looking forward to—hopefully—drawing some conclusions about both WHEN and HOW we can most effectively handle this Vinca. Stay tuned for more updates over the next six months as we monitor our progress and photograph the results...because science is fun!

Who's Living in Your Leaf Pile?

Posted on October 18, 2024

By now, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “Leave the leaves!”
While we love this slogan—it’s catchy and self-explanatory—it’s also easy to immediately write off. Leaving all the leaves right where they are might feel extreme and even overwhelming.

We imagine people hearing it for the first time feel sort of like this-

And you know what? We get it! It can be really hard to find the balance between keeping the neighborhood peace and taking precautions to protect wildlife.

Luckily, there’s a secret loophole: It doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
You don’t have to avoid touching the leaves altogether OR completely mulch your entire yard…you can find a compromise somewhere in between.

Instead of raking the leaves and burning them, mulching them, or bagging them, consider moving them to a less visible area of your yard, under the bases of trees, or into garden beds. That way, any critters trying to snooze inside will make it until spring.

Speaking of critters…who's lazing in those leaves?

Swallowtail caterpillars attach their chrysalises to dead stems and other plant material in the fall. Like luna moths, these swallowtail butterflies are beautiful and hard to miss…however, their chrysalises look a lot like dried leaves dangling from a branch. To protect swallowtails, avoid cutting dead stems back until spring.

Fireflies… lightning bugs…whatever you call them, these beloved flying lightshows spend their larval stage in the leaf litter, under logs, or underground, insulated by the warm, moist blanket of leaf litter. If you want more fireflies in your yard next summer, leave the leaves!

Mourning cloaks are one of the first species to emerge after an ice cold winter, often on sunny days in late winter or in very early spring. As one of the first signs of life, they should be protected at all costs! Mourning cloaks overwinter as adults in the small crevices of tree bark, logs, and even in the leaf litter itself. In addition to leaving the leaves, you can support their peaceful slumber by creating small brush piles in your backyard.

These cutie pies are a common sight in fall and are famous for “predicting” the severity of the upcoming winter. They’re not actually psychic, but they are resilient. Woolly bears overwinter as caterpillars under logs or in the leaf litter and can withstand temperatures as low as -90 degrees Fahrenheit. When the weather warms, they feed briefly before spinning cocoons and pupating. Come late spring/early summer, they emerge as adult Isabella tiger moths.

Help protect these creatures by keeping at least a portion of your yard wild this winter. Remember, it’s not all or nothing!

Debunking Nature Superstitions

Posted on September 13, 2024

Ahhh Friday the 13th, we meet again. Every year (and sometimes twice, or even three times), this foreboding day inspires people all over the world to avoid things like ladders, mirrors, and black cats to prevent being cursed with years of bad luck.

Along with these well-known superstitions, there are several that are specifically tied to nature. Some of these superstitions perpetuate harmful stereotypes for a few of our favorite creatures, while others are simply silly and fun. Read on as we debunk the serious, the silly, and everything in between!

Superstition #1: If you disturb this spider’s web, it will weave your name into the new one.
According to an old folk tale, if you disturb the web of a yellow garden spider, it will weave in your name when it rebuilds the web, spelling trouble for you. This is impossible for a host of reasons (the main one being that spiders can’t spell). Although it can't write your name, this spider does form a cool, zig-zag pattern called a stabilimentum in the center of its web.

Superstition #2: Bats “vant to suck your blood."
You can thank our friend Bram Stoker for this one. While vampire bats exist, they are not found in the U.S., and they are the exception—not the rule. Of over 1400 bat species, only three are sanguivores (animals that consume the blood of other animals). These vampire bats are found in arid and humid regions of Mexico, Central America, and South America. They normally feed on livestock and very rarely bite humans. In Michigan, we have 9 species of insect-eating bats, such as the red bat shown below.

Superstition #3: If you step into a ring of mushrooms, you will become invisible and fairies will force you to dance forever.
While we don’t know anyone this has happened to, permanent invisibility is difficult to disprove… All jokes aside, circular formations of fungi (often called “fairy rings”) are a novel sight, and they’re formed in an interesting way. Check out this video to learn more!

Superstition #4: Toads give you warts.
This is a widely distributed claim, but it’s not true. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is only carried by humans. The wart-like bumps you see on toads are glands containing a toxic liquid that they secrete when feeling threatened. Go forth and touch toads freely! Just wash your hands afterward—and don’t lick them.

Superstition #5: It’s bad luck for a black cat to cross your hiking path.
If you see a black cat on a Chikaming Open Lands preserve, it’s probably just Shadow, our Education and Outreach Coordinator’s black adventure cat (who is very respectful and always wears his leash).

Well, unless it’s this black cat. Someone dumped this bedazzled black panther at Robinson Woods last year. Watch out! It just might reappear during this year's Enchanted Forest…

There you have it! Now get out there and enjoy nature without fear, Friday the 13th or not!