News from the Woods ~ Spring is just around the corner and nature is getting ready to spring forth! One of our early blooming trees is the Eastern Redbud. The eastern redbud typically grows to 20–30 ft. tall with a 26–33 ft. spread. It generally has a short, often twisted trunk and spreading branches. A 10-year-old tree will generally be around 16 ft. tall. The bark is dark in color, smooth, later scaly with ridges somewhat apparent, sometimes with maroon patches. The twigs are slender and zigzag, nearly black in color, spotted with lighter lenticels. The winter buds are tiny, rounded and dark red to chestnut in color. The leaves are alternate, simple, and heart shaped with a smooth edge 3–4.5 in. long and wide, thin and papery, and may be slightly hairy below. (Thanks Wikipedia!)
Here are two species that are dependent on our redbud trees:
Iris versicolor (Northern Blue Flag)
This spring we will be removing invasive English ivy and plant a grouping of native iris in its stead to celebrate the generosity of Martha E. Wright for her endowment of the ongoing maintenance of the Woods.
Be sure and think about your home landscape this spring. Please consider adding more native species to your home landscape, so you can help sustain our native birds, butterflies and other creatures. Our beautiful Earth requires your help! Genesis 1:29, ESV: "And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food." And our fellow creatures, as well!
Our Woods is now on the Map of the Homegrown National Park. Listen to Dr. Tallamy explain why using your yard is essential. https://homegrownnationalpark.org/tallamys-hub-1
Updates from IFCL Creation Care:
Call your State Senators about: SB 373 (to support a carbon credit bill), HB 1381 (to support pollinator friendly solar farms), SB 249 (to extend net metering), and oppose HB 1191 (removes local control over public health concerns.
Call your State Representative about: HB 1337 ( to oppose another bill removing local control of logging and factory farm siting near municipal boundaries), HB 1469 (to support a bil that protect our rivers and groundwater from coal ash contamination), and SB 389 ( oppose a bill that removes protection of isolated wetlands.
Read more in the Hoosier Environmental Council’s newsletter: http://bit.ly/HECnews02-21