Backyard Wisdom

For the Birds

Recently, a friend of the family was helping me prune limbs out of some oaks and other trees on our six-acre lot. Let’s be honest. He was cutting down the branches that I pointed out. My husband thinks it’s safer if I don’t operate gas operated tools.

He noted that we had a broken off, rotting pine tree in the back corner of the yard and offered to cut it down for me. I think he was really surprised when I told him, ”Thanks but no thanks!”

That tree which was broken in 1995 during Hurricane Opal has attracted many of my favorite birds over the years. I have seen brown headed nuthatches nest there as well as downy and hairy woodpeckers. One summer, a pileated woodpecker peeled off huge chunks of bark off that old pine. It’s been a perch for everything from a flicker to pine warbler.

And it’s staying. It isn’t a threat to fall on the house or anything else for that matter except for may a lone azalea bush.

My whole family gets a lot of pleasure watching the diverse birds that live and eat on our six acre lot. The tree stays until nature and weather finally win out and bring it down in a storm.

If you enjoy birds, like I do, tune into Backyard Wisdom tomorrow and hear Dr. Geoff Hill discuss his pursuit of the ivory-billed woodpecker in the swamps of north Florida.

Arbor Week Fast Approaching

Arbor Day is celebrated across the country and it encourages tree planting and care. The annual celebration began in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska came up with the idea. National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April.

But April is not a good time to plant trees in Alabama. So, we celebrate Arbor Week the last week in February. Cities and communities across the state will have a number of activities during that week.

Many cities have green space or beautifications groups that will give away free seedling trees during Arbor Week. Be on the look out for activities in your area.

If you are interested in planting some trees soon, check out these tips from Beau Broadbeck, an Extension specialist in urban and community forestry.

Making the Most of Fresh Flowers

In just a week or so, fresh flowers will appear in offices and homes across the country as people celebrate Valentine’s Day. But every year, I have friends who complain that their flowers just didn’t last long enough.

While you can’t control the freshness of the flowers you receive, you can do your part to ensure they last as long as possible.

Let’s talk about roses in particular. By following some simple steps, you should be able to enjoy fresh roses for a week or so.

If your roses arrive in a box or as a bouquet not in water, you should first cut at least one to two inches off the stem while holding the stem under water. Then arrange the flowers in a clean vase that you have filled with warm water and floral preservative.

Most packages of preservative should be dissolved in one cup of water. Be sure to read the label and follow the directions. Use warm water. It speeds up the flower's ability to absorb the water and preservative.

When you arrange the flowers, be sure and strip off any foliage that would be below the water line.

Check water levels daily and add fresh water and preservative as needed. Some indicate that completely changing the water every few days and recutting the stems will also help blooms last longer.

Place the vase in a location away drafts and hot spots such as heating vents and television sets.

Following these steps should help you enjoy that Valentine’s day bouquet for a longer time.