Winter is here and in full effect...the salmon run has all but stopped for the season, and with it the fieldtrips to Carkeek Park. I took my last group of middle-schoolers on a romp around the woods this afternoon in search of the PACNW iconic fish. We saw several carcasses, their eye-balls excavated by well fed crows and gulls, and two tails of two live ones peeking out from beneath a log, gently sweeping away the sand and silt from what seemed to be a perfect nesting site. Good luck little fellas.
The salmon sighting however, although really cool and very fortunate, was a side note for both me and the kids. What really had us talking was the wintery wonder land that has descended on Seattle over the past week. Carkeek, being set in the valley carved out by Piper's Creek, is a low spot on the map. The sun's shallow winter track barely allows for any direct light in some parts, and as a result, the hoarfrost that my fellow naturalist, Stephanie, calls "ephemeral formations" isn't all that ephemeral. It sticks around and grows through nightly accretion and produces some of the craziest looking miniature ice kingdoms. If you've ever grown a crystal on a string, or made rock candy, you can picture exactly what I'm talking about.
So in honor of my students today who toughed it out, frozen toes and all - a brief post on that magical stuff that meteorologists call hoarfrost:
Hoarfrost is also called radiation frost because it forms when heat radiates from the ground and is lost into the atmosphere. This has been happening a lot around here lately because we've had such clear nights. Without any clouds to trap that surface heat that collected throughout the day, the air quickly cools as the sun goes to bed and the ground quickly freezes.
Cold air has less ability to hold water vapor than does warm air. So as air cools, any water vapor present is forced to condense, and becomes liquid. The point at which this happens is the dew point (or in this case, the frost point). The colder the air, the lower the dew point, so even mostly dry air will deposit frost if it gets cold enough. For example, tonight's forecast has the dew point at 11°F. Now even though the air temperature will only reach about 20°F, those low lying areas (like Carkeek Park) where cold dense air will sink and collect will be much colder at ground level and hoarfrost is sure to form.
The good news from a gardeners standpoint is that it won't be very soggy for the next few days. The bad news or coarse is that the ground is impenetrable. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I could go for a little cloud cover soon. If this cold snap lasts any longer, Clara and I may have to get another dog to keep us cozy.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Christmas tree ethics.
I've been asked several times by several different people over the past couple weeks how I feel about x-mas trees...from a tree hugger's point of view. I've gone back and forth over the years but after a quick few minutes on the world wide web, have reached a definitive stance: cut-tree, good; artificial tree, bad; live-tree, admirable but foolish. Allow me to share some tid-bits and explain my reasoning.
Brief History:
The Christmas Tree tradition, much like Christmas itself, is rooted in pre-Christian paganism. The Roman celebration of Saturnalia was spread and adopted by most inhabitants of western and northern Europe. It was a wild party that coincided with the winter solstice (Dec. 21st), and became so entrenched into local custom that when Christianity moved in, the church, instead of trying to squash it, simply borrowed the tradition and tweaked it for their own purposes. It is believed that the tree thing began in Germany in the 16th century and soon spread to England and then America by the mid 1800's.
Side note: In Russia, after the October Revolution of 1917 when the Soviets took control, Christmas trees were banned until 1935 when they returned to the scene but as "New-Year Fir Trees". It's purpose was/is entirely secular, and ornaments hung were comprised of national pride symbols, not religious ones (bears, cosmonauts, vodka...). The star on top was no longer the star of Bethlehem but the Red Star of the Soviet Union.
Cut-trees:
Firs are the best and most common trees used because they retain moisture longer than most after being cut and as a result hold their needles longer. Douglas firs, although not true firs, are especially common in these parts, and while they won't hold their needles as long as a noble or grand fir, they have the added bonus of being very fragrant.
In the past, Christmas trees were wild harvested from nearby forests (think Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase), but today practically all are grown and harvested from Christmas tree farms, where they are treated much like any other crop. According to the most recent USDA agriculture census, there are 21,904 Christmas tree farms spanning 447,006 acres in the US. In 2005, approx. 27 million cut trees were sold totaling $485 million in revenue. Oregon led the way with $126 million (WA was 3rd behind NC).
Trees are generally grown from seed by nurseries for a couple years then sold to tree farms where they are planted, tended and cut after reaching a desirable size at 8 - 12 years of age.
Cut trees are said to be "carbon neutral" b/c the amount of CO2 they release as they decompose was offset by the amount they captured during their short life spans.
Discarded trees are often used by coastal states (such as VA) to curb beach erosion and help restore dune ecosystems and shorelines. Discarded trees may also find their way to landfills where they are composted with the rest of the yard waste.
Tree farms are said to provide wildlife habitat and other ecosystem functions such as oxygen production, storm water/soil retention, etc. in areas that could otherwise be developed into strip malls, but I don't buy that argument b/c tree farms are generally out in the middle of nowhere, and I guaren-damn-tee you that if a developer approached a Christmas tree farmer with an offer to buy, said farmer would take the money and run. Christmas tree farms earn approx. $1800/acre.
Artificial trees:
Yet again, the Germans were the pioneers in this field. As a response to rampant deforestation, progressive Germans of the late 1800's created artificial Christmas trees using goose feathers dyed green for the branches.
Styles evolved to use various other materials including wire bristle-brushes, aluminum, and most recently fiber-optic cables, but the most common material by far is PVC made from recycled plastic.
Side note: Up until 2005, lead was the most common stabilizer used in manufacturing these PVC Christmas trees. After about 9 years, the PVC begins to degrade creating potential health risks as the lead leaches out. China, the leading exporter of fake trees (worth $28.6 million last year), banned this use of lead after receiving pressure state-side, and has since switched to tin, which is apparently less harmful.
Sales of artificial trees between 2001 and 2007 jumped from 7.3 million to 17.4 million.
A Life Cycle Assessment study done by Ellipsos Inc. (a sustainable development firm) found that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gasses whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year.
Live tree:
I used to think this was the best option, but have since come to view it as torture. I love the idea of buying a new live tree, root-ball and all, every year, using it as a Christmas tree for a few weeks and then planting it in a nice spot where I, and everyone else can continue to enjoy it. In fact I used to day-dream about one day moving back to the family farm and slowly lining the drive-way in this manner - a phrenological passage of time. But knowing what I know now about trees and plants in general it seems cruel to take a tree in the midst of winter dormancy, stick it inside my 65 degree sauna of a living room, tricking it into summer mode only to stick it back outside to endure the harshest part of winter. Stress not only kills people, but trees as well. I try to avoid stress at all cost, and as a tree-hugging dirt worshiper, am determined to do the same for the plants in my life.
So don't stress out over your Christmas Tree this year, but instead think about how you can relieve the stress of those around you and support your local growers.
-The Soggy Gardener
Brief History:
The Christmas Tree tradition, much like Christmas itself, is rooted in pre-Christian paganism. The Roman celebration of Saturnalia was spread and adopted by most inhabitants of western and northern Europe. It was a wild party that coincided with the winter solstice (Dec. 21st), and became so entrenched into local custom that when Christianity moved in, the church, instead of trying to squash it, simply borrowed the tradition and tweaked it for their own purposes. It is believed that the tree thing began in Germany in the 16th century and soon spread to England and then America by the mid 1800's.
Side note: In Russia, after the October Revolution of 1917 when the Soviets took control, Christmas trees were banned until 1935 when they returned to the scene but as "New-Year Fir Trees". It's purpose was/is entirely secular, and ornaments hung were comprised of national pride symbols, not religious ones (bears, cosmonauts, vodka...). The star on top was no longer the star of Bethlehem but the Red Star of the Soviet Union.
Cut-trees:
Firs are the best and most common trees used because they retain moisture longer than most after being cut and as a result hold their needles longer. Douglas firs, although not true firs, are especially common in these parts, and while they won't hold their needles as long as a noble or grand fir, they have the added bonus of being very fragrant.
In the past, Christmas trees were wild harvested from nearby forests (think Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase), but today practically all are grown and harvested from Christmas tree farms, where they are treated much like any other crop. According to the most recent USDA agriculture census, there are 21,904 Christmas tree farms spanning 447,006 acres in the US. In 2005, approx. 27 million cut trees were sold totaling $485 million in revenue. Oregon led the way with $126 million (WA was 3rd behind NC).
Trees are generally grown from seed by nurseries for a couple years then sold to tree farms where they are planted, tended and cut after reaching a desirable size at 8 - 12 years of age.
Cut trees are said to be "carbon neutral" b/c the amount of CO2 they release as they decompose was offset by the amount they captured during their short life spans.
Discarded trees are often used by coastal states (such as VA) to curb beach erosion and help restore dune ecosystems and shorelines. Discarded trees may also find their way to landfills where they are composted with the rest of the yard waste.
Tree farms are said to provide wildlife habitat and other ecosystem functions such as oxygen production, storm water/soil retention, etc. in areas that could otherwise be developed into strip malls, but I don't buy that argument b/c tree farms are generally out in the middle of nowhere, and I guaren-damn-tee you that if a developer approached a Christmas tree farmer with an offer to buy, said farmer would take the money and run. Christmas tree farms earn approx. $1800/acre.
Artificial trees:
Yet again, the Germans were the pioneers in this field. As a response to rampant deforestation, progressive Germans of the late 1800's created artificial Christmas trees using goose feathers dyed green for the branches.
Styles evolved to use various other materials including wire bristle-brushes, aluminum, and most recently fiber-optic cables, but the most common material by far is PVC made from recycled plastic.
Side note: Up until 2005, lead was the most common stabilizer used in manufacturing these PVC Christmas trees. After about 9 years, the PVC begins to degrade creating potential health risks as the lead leaches out. China, the leading exporter of fake trees (worth $28.6 million last year), banned this use of lead after receiving pressure state-side, and has since switched to tin, which is apparently less harmful.
Sales of artificial trees between 2001 and 2007 jumped from 7.3 million to 17.4 million.
A Life Cycle Assessment study done by Ellipsos Inc. (a sustainable development firm) found that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gasses whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year.
Live tree:
I used to think this was the best option, but have since come to view it as torture. I love the idea of buying a new live tree, root-ball and all, every year, using it as a Christmas tree for a few weeks and then planting it in a nice spot where I, and everyone else can continue to enjoy it. In fact I used to day-dream about one day moving back to the family farm and slowly lining the drive-way in this manner - a phrenological passage of time. But knowing what I know now about trees and plants in general it seems cruel to take a tree in the midst of winter dormancy, stick it inside my 65 degree sauna of a living room, tricking it into summer mode only to stick it back outside to endure the harshest part of winter. Stress not only kills people, but trees as well. I try to avoid stress at all cost, and as a tree-hugging dirt worshiper, am determined to do the same for the plants in my life.
So don't stress out over your Christmas Tree this year, but instead think about how you can relieve the stress of those around you and support your local growers.
-The Soggy Gardener
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)