Connect to the Roots of Your Community,

Become an Urban Forest Steward!

The City of Austin Urban Forestry program and TreeFolks present the Urban Forest Steward Series of workshops focused on building and protecting the urban canopy of Central Texas.

Drought, invasive species and habitat degradation constantly take a toll on Austin’s parks and natural areas.  The Texas Forest Service estimates that Texas has lost up to 10 percent of its trees.  The goal of the Urban Forest Steward Series is to equip a cadre of citizens to help us gain ground in rebuilding our urban forest through education and volunteer leadership.

The topics to be covered are extensive and intend to give volunteers the tools to educate, train, and lead other volunteers in planting and maintaining our urban forest.  Topics include Stewardship, Arboriculture, Urban Planning & Design, Volunteer Leadership, and Sustainability.  Class dates are July 21, August 4, 18, September 15, and October 6.  Attendees must attend at least four classes (with an optional fifth day) to graduate from the series.

The Urban Forest Steward Series plans to award 30 scholarships to representatives from Adopt-A-Park and other volunteer organizations.  Scholarship will be competitively awarded through our online application process at the following link:  UFS Scholarship Application  Individuals who would like to register and are not applying for a scholarship can register soon for a fee of $150.

As you look out in the understory of our urban forest this month you’ll find a multitude of plums forming on our tree of the month, the Mexican Plum (also known as the Big Tree Plum). Earlier this spring the trees were covered in a cascade of white-pink flowers that beckon a soft scent of spring. The flower petals quickly fall and leaves begin to appear. The leaves are ovate with serrate margins and have a rough texture. The bark is a beautiful blue-gray with light and dark horizontal striations. The trunk is known for not suckering and thus the root stock is used extensively for grafting. It’s a small understory tree usually from 15 to 35 feet tall. You’ll typically see this relatively drought tolerant tree in rich soils along rivers, in prairies, and open woods. Although the plums are green right now they will ripen in late summer to colors of yellow, purple, and mauve. The fruit is enjoyed by birds, small mammals, and humans. This lovely deciduous tree offers interest for all seasons.

Sustaining members provide TreeFolks with a steady, reliable source of income by paying your membership in monthly installments.  TreeFolks saves money and TREES on printing and postage.   PLUS, you will always qualify for 20% off of all TreeFolks classes and workshops AND you will be invited to attend special members-only hikes and workshops!

If you prefer your membership not to automatically renew, please click here to join TreeFolks as an Annual Member.

Click here to volunteer.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress appropriately for the weather (including sun protection).  We’ll provide tools, water, and refreshments. Please bring your own gardening gloves, a water bottle and a tree-lovin’ smile.  We will meet under the pavilion on Greenbrook Parkway next to the toddler playground.  See you there!

It’s My Park Day photo by Lightharvest Photography

Refreshments and a laminated field guide to Native Trees of Central Texas are included in the cost of the hike.  There are still several spots available, so please register today!  We will meet at the picnic benches in Pease Park at the intersection of Parkway & Kingsbury, 78703 (from N. Lamar, go west on Enfield and take a right onto Parkway).  If you’d like to register the morning of the hike, please arrive a few minutes early – we’ll accept payment by cash, check or credit card.

Please bring: sun protection, water bottle and a notepad/pencil if you’d like to take notes.
We’ll provide: water, granola bars & fruit, mini TreeFolks backpack to carry your things in, laminated Tree I.D. guides

Your registration fee supports TreeFolks mission — planting and sustaining the urban forests of Central Texas.  To learn about other ways You Can Grow Central Texas Urban Forests, click here!

You’ll support local environmental groups when you shop at these participating businesses on Saturday, April 21st

On Wednesday, April 18th, Whole Foods Market will be hosting a Community Giving Day at both locations! Five percent of sales will benefit the campaign.

This tree folk’s fingers and lips are purple from researching the featured tree of the month.  Mulberries are ripening right now and boy are they delicious.  Mulberries are deciduous trees or tall shrubs with a lovely round crown.  The leaves are broad oval or heart-shaped often with serrated margins and can be lobed or not.  Two species of mulberry occur in central Texas: Morus microphylla, aka Mountain mulberry or Texas mulberry, and Morus rubra (Red mulberry).  But to be quite honest, unless your looking at a really big shade tree (rubra has a short trunk and grows to 64 feet while microphylla stays a more diminutive size and is often multi-trunked) it is pretty difficult to distinguish between the two unless you’re a botanist or a mulberry farmer.  If you plant a mulberry on your property you’ll want to choose a site away from buildings and walkways as the fruit are very messy and the roots shallow, which can cause problems with underground utilities.  Mulberries are very popular with birds, children, and other wildlife.  Some of my fondest memories are of scrambling up the lower branches of a large mulberry planted in an empty lot to gorge on the sweet purple fruits.  Mulberry preserves are one of life’s great pleasures.  To harvest a nice crop lay a large sheet underneath the tree and send a young scamp up to bounce on the branches above or give it a good whack with a broom handle.  The ripe fruit easily falls from the tree.  Berries that are still red and tart are my favorite for eating out of hand.

Watch Angela Hanson of Austin PARD’s Forestry Program demonstrate the proper way to mulch a tree

H-E-B has supported many EarthShare of Texas organizations with corporate grants or in-kind contributions.  The April tear-pad promotion enables H-E-B customers to support the program work of Earth Share of Texas organizations.  TreeFolks will benefit, because the contributions will be divided among EarthShare of Texas organizations with program work in Texas.

Please support EarthShare, TreeFolks and the Texas’ environment!  Look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-pad at the check-out stands in H-E-B stores and Central Market stores starting April 4th on into the first week in May.