June Tree of the Month – Flowering Dogwood

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by  Ann Farnham, LLA

Ewing Township’s Environmental Commission recognizes the beautiful Flowering Dogwood, Cornus Florida, as the Tree of the Month.

This lovely tree, a native to the eastern and central United States, is hardy from USDA zones 5-9 (Ewing is zone 6b), from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas.

Among the first trees to bloom in April or May, the Flowering Dogwood becomes covered in greenish-white, bloom-like bracts, four in number, which are usually 3-4” wide.  The bloom period lasts up to two weeks and is followed by clusters of red, berry-like, drupes which turn scarlet in September.  Birds love them.

These trees reach 20-30 feet in height, are beautiful in flower and have outstanding summer and fall foliage.  This species produces brilliant white flowers, but there are varieties ranging from pale pink to warm red.

Flowering Dogwoods do best in acid, well-drained soil, and partial shade, although they will tolerate full sun with appropriate care.  They are, unfortunately, subject to insect and disease problems.  In the Northeast the most widely recognized scourge is a fungus, Anthracnose, which is difficult to control and slowly kills the tree.  Fungicides may be effective.

Dr. Elwin Orton of Rutgers University has developed hybrids of Cornus Florida and Cornus kousa (Japanese dogwood), which are disease resistant and now commercially available.

Some straight species of Flowering Dogwoods which have shown resistance to Anthracnose have been selected and bred and are also now available at nurseries and garden centers.

 The Ewing Environmental Commission (eec@ewingnj.org) welcomes suggestions for the Tree of the Month from all Ewing residents.

Save the Date for EGT Upcoming Energy Seminar

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Ewing Businesses – Learn How To Go Greener and Improve Your Bottom Line!

The Ewing Township Green Team will be hosting an energy seminar on June 3rd designed to help the local Ewing business community tap into state funds for energy upgrades while improving their bottom lines and helping the environment.  Ewing small business owners will learn about grants of 70% of the costs for energy saving building upgrades for small and medium size buildings that are available from the State of NJ through its “Direct Install” program.  “Direct Install” is sponsored by the NJ Board of Public Utilities [http://www.state.nj.us/bpu] and Clean Energy Program [http://www.njcleanenergy.com] and helps business owners tap into state funds allocated for improving the environment, while at the same time offering quick investment paybacks.

Tristate Light and Electric Company [http://tsle.com] is the exclusive contractor for “Direct Install” in Mercer County.   Ms. Sandra Torres of Tristate, who has years of experience working with business owners in other townships, will give the presentation. Ms. Torres will provide detailed information on how to save money by taking advantage of this funding.

The seminar is scheduled for Wednesday June 3 at 7pm at the Ewing Senior Center at 999 Lower Ferry Road.  For more information call Pete Boughton at 609-313-5021.

May Tree of the Month

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by Ann Farnham, LLA

The beautiful Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia soulangiana, blooms in Ewing in April and May.

This small tree or multistemmed large shrub is a hybrid and usually thrives in USDA Hardiness zones 4 – 9 (Ewing is USDA Hardiness Zone 6b). It is a cross between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliflora, reportedly a hybrid made by one of Napoleon’s retired cavalry officers, Étienne Soulange-Bodin, around 1820 in France.

In the garden it makes a beautiful focal point and is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring along with flowering cherries, redbuds, and the shrub, forsythia.

Saucer Magnolia blooms before its leaves appear in the spring but the flower buds are frequently damaged by frost as they open so early. Having a medium growth rate, a tree may reach a height of 20 to 30’ with a variable spread, pyramidal to rounded in form with low branches; it is also grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. There are dozens of varieties, each with a distinctive size and shape, with flowers which measure up to 4 to 8” across, and colors varying from purple-pink to white.

The best site for a Saucer Magnolia will have an acid, moist, porous and deep soil and full sun to partial shade. It tolerates wind and urban pollution fairly well. The roots need ample room to develop and the tree should be mulched to the drip-line (keep the mulch at least 6” from the trunk). If pruning is necessary, it should be done right after flowering.

There are several pests and diseases which attack Saucer Magnolia but fortunately they are infrequent. The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker woodpeckers seem to favor its bark, and ring the tree with little holes, but the damage is slight.

The Ewing Environmental Commission (eec@ewingnj.org) welcomes suggestions for the Tree of the Month from all Ewing residents.

To calculate the economic and ecological benefits of the trees on your property go to treebenefits.com. 

Is it Time to Go Nuclear?

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by Joanne Mullowney

The Ewing Green Team and Environmental Commission announce the latest entry in their Environmental Insights Series, environmental presentations designed to engage Ewing residents in a public conversation about critical environmental issues and to spark new ideas concerning sustainability.   Join us on Monday, April 20th at 7 pm for our program, Is it Time to Go Nuclear: Nuclear Power’s Role In A World Of Climate Change And Energy Needs with a presentation and discussion led by Joe Mirabella, Central Regional Supervisor for the NJDEP Hazardous Waste Enforcement program and member of the Ewing Green Team and Environmental Commission.

The Issues

The world’s atmosphere and climate are quickly undergoing dramatic changes. 2014 was the hottest year on record with records being routinely broken. These changes are not just going to affect future generations but are here today. How we deal with them may be the most important environmental issue we face.  A major question for our time is where how does nuclear power fit in?  Is it a savior for climate change or a catastrophic disaster waiting to happen?

In Is it Time to Go Nuclear the role of nuclear power now and in the future will be explored and discussed.  It is not pro or anti-nuclear energy. It is a fun fact-based entertaining exploration of the complex issues surrounding nuclear power. The specific topics include historical background, how nuclear power works, radiation, nuclear disasters, proliferation & terrorism, nuclear waste and advanced technologies. The presentation will be followed by a community discussion where all opinions are respected and welcome.

About Joe Mirabella

Joe Mirabella is the Central Regional Supervisor for the NJDEP Hazardous Waste Enforcement program. He has taught and lectured on environmental issues at NJ Colleges and Universities for the last 35 years. He is a Commissioner on the Ewing Township Redevelopment Agency and is a member of Ewing’s Environmental Commission & Green Team. Joe earned his Bachelor and Masters of Science in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Manager from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Date: Monday, April 20th
Time: 7 pm
Location: Ewing Senior and Community Center [ESCC] – Community Room
Cost: This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.