Dec 6, 2023 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Before describing two invasive vines, let us consider what makes a non-native plant (also known as an alien plant) invasive and why we should care. An invasive plant must meet two basic criteria: humans have deliberately or accidentally introduced it into an area...
Sep 11, 2022 | Climate Actions Grovers Can Take, Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Planting trees is a key tool in the fight against global warming. Climate change is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. Trees help to reduce these gases by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it...
Sep 1, 2022 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
An article on the invasive and destructive spotted lanternfly (actually a leafhopper) was recently posted on the Grove website. The article mentioned that tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a preferred host and should be removed from the landscape. This article...
Jul 13, 2022 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Montgomery County is now part of a spotted lanternfly quarantine zone. What does that mean and what should we do? Learn more on this page. Native to China, lanternflies first appeared on the eastern U.S. coast in 2014 in Pennsylvania, and were first reported in...
Jun 18, 2022 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
An attraction of Washington Grove is its great variety of trees, some of which are hidden gems and a pleasure to discover. Discussed here are three “living fossils” from Asia that have no close relatives among other plants. We hope that readers will use this...
Mar 25, 2022 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove, Miscellaneous
Looking for new ideas for your garden? Hoping for natural solutions that encourage and support a healthy ecosystem for your yard? The Woman’s Club and the Forestry & Beautification Committee co-hosted a free Zoom seminar Going Native: How to Turn Your Yard into a...
Dec 3, 2021 | Climate Actions Grovers Can Take, Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Planting trees is a key tool in the fight against global warming. Climate change is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. Trees help to reduce these gases by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it...
Nov 4, 2021 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Spruces (genus Picea – meaning pitch in ancient Latin) are usually tall, symmetrical, conical evergreen trees. The genus includes thirty-five species (half native to China), most of which are restricted to cooler regions of the northern hemisphere, growing at high...
Oct 4, 2021 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Lindens Tilia (linden) is a genus of about 30 species of trees and bushes, native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Two species of lindens are familiar to Maryland landscapes: Tilia cordata (little-leaf) and Tilia americana (American basswood)....
May 10, 2021 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
After 17 years awaiting their big moment, a few million of Washington Grove’s longtime residents will shortly reveal themselves. Our very own periodical cicadas last visited us with gusto in 2004. The reappearance on schedule of what is known as the brood X...
Apr 3, 2021 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Of the approximately 100 species of magnolias, eight are native to the eastern U.S. Cultivars of the species preferred in trade, however, number in the thousands. Magnolias prefer acidic soil and full sun. Other common magnolia characteristics are attractive, smooth,...
Nov 1, 2020 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
On October 9, the Town had 11 shade trees installed by Stadler Nursery. As we have tried to do in recent years, all were trees native to the U.S. Among the oaks, maples, and American beech, there are three are new species for us: American persimmon (Diospyros...
Oct 4, 2020 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Hickories are native trees important to wildlife and to humans well before the arrival of Europeans. One hickory, the pecan tree (Carya illinoensis), is one of the few commercially significant sources of food that is native exclusively to North America. The wood of...
Mar 6, 2020 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
A blooming Witch Hazel uplifts spirits with an early promise of spring showing off its strap-like brightly colored petals and enticing fragrance. These are the Witch Hazels most often noticed in the Washington area, a large upright spreading shrub or small tree that...
Nov 3, 2019 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
With over 600 hundred species of oaks (genus Quercus), nearly 100 of them native to the U.S., it would seem a difficult group of trees to sort out, much less identify individual species. However, only a few dozen species will be encountered in our area, even including...
Oct 1, 2019 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a slow growing, moderate sized native tree (up to 70’ tall and 100’ wide) that is abundant in eastern forests. The tree is often recognized from a distance by its attractive gray bark. A tree with names or initials carved into its...
Jun 1, 2019 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
The most common native maple found in Washington Grove is the red maple. Acer rubrum is the county tree of Montgomery County and is an important tree in Maryland hardwood forests. Leaves are opposite, as with all maples, and consist of 3 to 5 toothed lobes. Fruit is...
May 21, 2019 | Flora and Fauna in the Grove
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a native understory tree with shiny, dark green palmate leaves (leaflets whose stems emanate from a single central point) that are attractive in spring and early summer. Its most striking feature are its red, tubular flowers that bloom...
