Atlantic Highlands Shade Tree Commission

11/22/2023

When the dry leaves of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) cling to their branches in winter and rattle in the wind, the leaves are demonstrating marcescence (mar-SESS-ence). That is, though dead and withered, they persist on the stalk, or petiole.

Marcescence is common in oaks as well as beeches, especially in young trees. It is not the norm in most of New England's deciduous species, which shed, or abscise their leaves in fall. In autumn, the vessels in the tree that carry sap to the leaves slowly close, until the abscission layer of cells shuts off the vessel, and the tree abscises the petiole. The attached leaf or the fruit then falls off.

Not so for marcescent leaves, which hang on well into spring. And scientists don't know why. Whatever the reason, the sound of marcescent leaves is a gentle companion to those who walk in the winter woods, and a reminder that when we can't explain a thing, we can still appreciate it.

Photo: American beech (Fagus grandifolia) with marcescent leaves, © Uli Lorimer

11/18/2023

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11/13/2023

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11/10/2023

Be sure to check out our "October Glory" maples on Hennessey Blvd.

11/10/2023

🍂 Fall Foliage Update - November 10 🍂

The time has come... The State of New Jersey is completely passed peak for this season's fall foliage. Hopefully you were able to experience the beauty and variations of colors!

📸 Share your leaf photos with us!

11/08/2023

https://www.iflscience.com/trees-synchronize-their-masting-and-we-dont-really-know-how-71472?fbclid=IwAR1jktWnBCPB4zHcSDkXx11o2ztV0y8kwmBaGhxiya6L-e2up0OAq3wh3zg

Oak trees in the US are masting hard this year, and we don't really know why.

11/03/2023

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11/03/2023

10/30/2023

Now that's scary!!😲

Don't top trees: https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/bulletins/summaries/008.cfm #:~:text=Shock%3A%20By%20removing%20the%20protective,invasion%20or%20decay%20fungi%20spores.

10/26/2023

You've heard us say trees are natural air filters ... but how exactly? 👇

All parts of a tree work together to catch and trap air pollution, including dust, smoke, and pollen. The leaves of a tree have tiny pores all over them that act like hundreds of filters and trap particles as air passes by. The rough surfaces of branches and bark also catch pollutants, while the spaces between leaves help filter them out. All the pollutants that get caught on the surface of the tree or absorbed into it are effectively removed from the air we breathe.

How amazing is it that a single tree can have the air-filtering power of hundreds of tiny filters!?

10/25/2023

You know them as squirrels and chipmunks. Trees know them as absent-minded heroes.

These ubiquitous little creatures bury their nuts and seeds in preparation for the winter months when food is hard to come by. But here’s the thing: up to 74% of what squirrels bury and 25% of what chipmunks bury goes unearthed. They just can’t remember where they hid their stash, kind of like how humans forget where they put their keys.

This is great news for trees.

Their forgetfulness helps to repopulate certain trees, like chestnut, pine, beech, hazel, and oak varieties. What trees are lost in nature due to things like disease and fire, are regenerated by the absent-minded little environmentalists.

📷 Forest J Funk

10/25/2023

10/25/2023

There are ways to put an abundance of leaves to good use if homeowners opt to work with nature rather than against it, advocates say.

10/23/2023

10/20/2023

🍂 Fall Foliage Update - October 20 🍂

We are receiving spotty foliage reports this season - some trees transition at different times, trees are losing their leaves before turning and constant weekend rain creating unique patterns of foliage!

10/19/2023

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a45279633/trees-that-increase-property-value/?fbclid=IwAR1QcJ72nbJEZy5oXOzHfkLGRoiAIv4vw_PkZe81DZVC8A1CN83b8TWFHuk

In this case, money really does grow on trees!

10/12/2023

https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/city-leaves

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

10/07/2023

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10/06/2023

https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-remove-spotted-lanternfly-eggs?fbclid=IwAR3zLIRSAlKYRA2ZYry-9XHpwwB5Oy6afQBKvbBGTuZiN5FOz5tgoqkZv-0

Learn first-hand how to scrape and destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses, which are visible between October and July.

10/02/2023

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10/01/2023

https://treevitalize.com/most-common-trees-in-us-cities/?fbclid=IwAR0CSoKXCLtunMkdK8ccy1fr2zf1zmw7r7Ai5nRHjDf0G47FweLDgoIjs_o&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Urban forests are integral to human health and well-being and are a vital component of healthy, thriving cityscapes.We analysed the data on over 5 million trees spread across 63 major US cities to assess the diversity and distribution of tree species in urban forests across the US.The top ten and fi...

10/01/2023

https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/city-leaves?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

10/01/2023

Visit the post for more.

10/01/2023

From seed to soil, ants help shape the lives of trees.

09/29/2023

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09/23/2023

Happy autumn from the New Jersey Forest Service!

The time has come to start planning your fall foliage adventures throughout New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites!

Each Friday during the fall season we will post an updated graphic and give you suggestions for which one of our state parks and forests have the best foliage of the week.

09/23/2023

The Atl. Highlands Shade Tree Commission wants to remind all residents that they are responsible for maintaining the trees on their property, including trees between the sidewalk and the curb. Please ensure that there is adequate space for pedestrians and vehicles to pass beneath limbs.

The Dept. of Public Works will begin Fall brush pick-ups beginning in October. Please consult the borough calendar for your zone.

09/21/2023

For many people, spring has become the default season when it comes to planting or gardening, understandably so. Harsh winters and the lack of vegetation makes us excited to refresh our gardens and landscape our yards. Spring can be a great time of year to plant, depending on where you live. But, fa...

09/21/2023

Today, the DEP unveiled its draft, agency-wide Strategic Climate Action Plan for advancing climate work in New Jersey and addressing the worsening impacts of climate change.

A public comment period has opened for the draft document which identifies specific resilience, emissions, climate equity and sustainability plans.

To read and comment on the draft Strategic Climate Action Plan, visit dep.nj.gov/strategic-climate-action-plan/

Read our news release to learn more - bit.ly/450FxQj

Learn more about the impacts of climate change in NJ at climatechange.nj.gov

09/20/2023