Showing posts with label Tree. Show all posts
Making Karachi A ‘Greener Desert ?
Posted by Unknown in Bio-Diversity, Pakistan, Plantation, Tree on Wednesday, 8 May 2013
By Amar Guriro
KARACHI:
Former City District Government Karachi (CDGK), which planned in its
Karachi Comprehensive Plan (KCP) 2008 to plant a variety of trees for
better environment, had instead planted only a single species, the
Conocarpus. Forest experts are terming it as monoculture and warned of
adverse impacts on city's general atmosphere.
A detailed plan
for greener Karachi, under the title "Forestation, Aesthetic Plantation
and Landscaping Study-Karachi Comprehensive Plan", made by former
Conservator, Sindh Forest Department, Dr GR Keerio in October 2008 made
proposals worth an estimated Rs8.34 billion.
Three aspects
were planned to be covered under the KCP including forestation,
aesthetic-plantation and landscaping; in order to beautify the city,
increase tree cover, apply modern landscaping techniques, encourage farm
and social forestry in and around city to check green house effect,
minimise threats to ecological integrity through carbon sequestration
and improve bio-geochemical processes.
The outputs of
the plan were kept for substantial and sustainable environmental
benefits besides beautification of city. The official documents, which
this scribe acquired from the officials of the former CDGK, reveal that
under the KCP more than a dozens species of different indigenous trees
and shrubs were selected for plantation.
The city
government had planned to plant a variety of trees in the city, which
include Plaksa tree (Pipal), Banyan, Coconut, Margosa (Neem) Tree and
tropical tree species such as Siris, Rain tree, Ashoka, Amaltas and
other Cassia species, Terminalia (Indian Badam), Peltophorum (Copper
pod), Gulmohar, Palm trees, Molseri and also Lignum vitae. But instead
of planting all these trees, the officials introduced only a single
tree, a foreign species, the Conocarpus, which is actually a mangrove
specie and is imported from Ethiopia.
According to
experts, Conocarpus will bring adverse impacts on city's general
environment. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, the fisheries consultant for World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Pakistan, quoting international studies said
that Conocarpus is notorious plant specie for causing droughts in
several regions. "In future Conocarpus will start releasing pollen,
which will cause pollen allergy just like Islamabad," he said.
Environmentalists
and experts like renowned forester Gobind Menghwar term the plantation
of single specie on a massive scale as monoculture.
"Each plant
specie has its own time to grow, some are fast and others are slow
growing trees, like Sheesham tree takes 22 years to be fully grown,
while Eucalyptus can grow in four to six years. The problem in planting a
single specie is, in case of any plant disease, the entire lot will get
affected. So it is better to introduce a variety of trees," said
Menghwar.
Talking about
the importance of differences in species, he said that some trees have
thorns, that if planted on roadsides, maybe hazardous for vehicles and
passersby both. "If we plant fruit trees on roadsides, that too can
cause traffic accidents. Especially when people try to pick fruits. The
best trees for highways are the ones with a crown, that blocks light
from opposite direction," he informed.
Talking about
the negative impacts of monoculture, International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) official Nadeem Mirbahar said it also
affects bird population in the city. "Monoculture creates a similar
environment, hindering bird population, forcing them to migrate, since
different birds have varying nesting habits and prefer different trees,"
said Mirbahar.
It is worth
mentioning that when administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation
(KMC) Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi was contacted to get an official version,
he said that the plan was initiated long before his appointment, so he
cannot comment on it.
How To Grow And Care For A Peach Tree
Posted by Unknown in Fruit, Orchard, Peach, Peach Tree, Tree on Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Peach
trees will reward a faithful gardener with abundant fruit if they are
given the right growing conditions, fertilizer, and maintenance pruning.
(Essortment.com)
Peach trees are prized for their juicy summer fruit that make into
wonderful pies. The height and texture that these trees add to the
garden is a plus. While peach trees need little care for decorative
purpose, they do need more attention to maximize fruit production.
Selecting the Right Tree
Peaches
have been bred for thousands of years for different climates, tastes
and color. You will want to pick a tree that is right for your climate,
so check with a local nursery or university extension office to see what
cultivars they recommend. Most peach trees do not need another tree to
pollinate its fruit, but be sure to check before you buy the tree.
Once
you have decided on a cultivar, look over the tree before you take it
home. The ideal peach tree is 1 year old and about 3 feet tall with
several branches, since older trees tend not to transplant as well and
have fewer buds and branches. Look over your tree to make sure there are
no signs of disease or damage.
Picking the Right Site
Peach
trees can survive in most areas, but they need full sun and good air
circulation to produce bountiful fruit. Frost damage during the early
spring months is the most common cause of failure for a peach tree to
develop its fruit. A site with full sun during the day will keep the
tree and immature fruit a couple of degrees warmer during the chilly
nights. An added bonus with a full sun site is sweeter tasting peaches.
Air circulation is also important to keep cold area from pocketing
around the tree and freezing the immature fruit.
To
avoid root damage, a peach tree also needs well-draining soil. If a
peach tree stands in water, the tree's roots will die back and effect
the tree's overall growth. The best soil for peach trees is sandy loam
with plenty of organic material. If your soil retains too much water,
make a raised bed over the spot with some topsoil from a nursery.
Preparing the Site
Your
peach tree will be growing in the same spot for years, so prepare the
soil for long term growth. Begin by testing the ph level of the soil to
determine if it is acidic or alkaline. Peach trees do best with a ph
level of 6.5. However, most soils tend to be more acidic than this
level, so sweeten the soil by adding lime. Lime takes years to leach
down into the layers of soil, so you will need to work it into the
ground a couple of feet deep in a 10 foot by 10 foot area. Over the
years, your peach tree's roots will grow this far and will benefit from
the sweetened soil.
Organic
material also encourages the development of fruit by retaining moisture
and releasing micronutrients. You can add manure, peat moss or compost
up to a year before planting your trees. If you are adding lime, work
the organic material in the ground at the same time to eliminate some
extra work.
Planting Your Tree
The
best time to plant your peach tree is when it is completely dormant
during winter and early spring. It is easier to handle the tree at this
stage, and the roots can develop before new foliage appears in the
spring. Once you have picked a spot to plant your tree, dig a hole 3
feet wide and at least 2 feet deep so it is big enough for the tree's
roots to spread out. You do not want to add fertilizer at this time, but
you can add organic material.
Whether
you have purchased a bare root or potted tree, you will want to inspect
the tree's roots for damage or disease and remove them with a clean
knife or pruning shears. Next, stand the tree upright in the hole and
spread the roots out. The roots should be covered by at least 2 inches
of soil. Then, fill the hole halfway and tap the soil down to ensure
there are no air pockets. Fill in the rest of the hole and again tap the
ground down with your foot until the soil is settled and leveled.
Finally, water the tree thoroughly to ensure the roots are in contact
with the soil.
Yearly Maintenance
To
produce the maximum amount of fruit, peach trees need fertilizer twice a
year. During early spring when the buds are just emerging, work one cup
of 10-10-10 water soluble fertilizer around the drip line of the tree.
Water soluble fertilizer is easily absorbed by the tree's roots. Then,
when the last of the fruit has been harvested, apply another cup of the
same 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Peach
trees do not like to compete for water or nutrients, so keep weeds and
other plants 3 feet away from the base of the tree. Also, apply a layer
of mulch to the soil to keep weeds down and retain moisture in the soil.
If
you have a healthy peach tree, it will produce enough peaches that it
will break its own branches. To prevent this and encourage large fruit,
you will need to thin the immature fruit four weeks after your tree
stops blooming. Thin the fruit so that there is only one peach every 6
inches on a branch. To remove immature fruit, with one hand hold the
branch and with the other hand, pluck of the extra fruit. Be careful not
to tear the branch's skin, leaving it vulnerable to disease.
Pruning
You
can prune your peach tree during the early spring and throughout the
growing season. Major pruning should be done during early spring after
extremely cold weather has past but before foliage has appeared.
However, when branches become diseased, damaged or shoot off a sucker
branch, they should be removed immediately.
The
most productive shape for peach trees is a V-shape with growth that is 3
to 5 years old. By allowing light to reach the inner branches of the
tree, fruit can develop in the inner part of the tree. Fruit buds only
develop on mature branches, but will stop once the wood is several years
old.
Begin
your pruning process by removing any dead, damaged or diseased
branches. Next, remove any waterspouts or vertical growing branches
since they rarely produce fruit. Once those branches are removed, prune
your tree so branches angle off each other and have plenty of room. Old
branches can also be removed since they produce less fruit after three
years.
Preventing Damage from Insects and Disease
Peach
trees are prone to many types of insects and diseases. Planting your
trees in a sunny location with good air circulation is one step to
preventing problems with disease. Another step is to apply a dormant
spray in the winter and following up with a combination insecticide and
fungicide spray throughout the growing season.
While
peach trees need a good site to encourage fruit production, they also
need seasonal fertilizing, pruning and pest control. Once you have
managed these tasks, you should have years of fresh peach pies to enjoy.
India Helping Ethiopia Realise Full Potential of Neem
Almost
a century after neem was introduced in this East African nation, India,
where the tree originated, is helping Ethiopia realise its full
potential.
"Ethiopia
has unlimited potential for the plantation of the neem tree which grows
in humid, arid, and hot places. India, which is the birthplace of the
tree, earns $2.5 billion annually from the sale of Azadirachtin (a
chemical extracted from the tree and used to manufacture pesticides)
alone," Neem Foundation of Ethiopia chairman Taye Teferedegn told.
"The
tree has enormous advantages from agriculture to medicine, from
industry to the environment. Its use is really countless. If we work on
it, we will have another item for export on our list," he added.
Towards
this, a presentation was made here by an Indian business and academic
delegation that was invited by the Neem Foundation of Ethiopia as part
of its awareness creation and technology transfer objectives.
During
the visit, Ramesh C. Saxena, chairman of the Mumbai-based Neem
Foundation, delivered a lecture that was attended, among others, by a
representative of EID Parry India Ltd, a huge Indian pest control
company that focuses on the industrial extraction of Azadirachtin. The
company aspires to discover the opportunities in the development and
processing of the neem tree in Ethiopia, an official said.
One kilogram of Azadirachtin currently sells at around $1,200 dollars on the international market.
"The
visit would enable the Foundation and the nation to tap into a very
valuable technology and knowledge transfer opportunity," Teferedegn
pointed out.
The
Neem Foundation of Ethiopia has chalked out a five-year plan to plant
over one million neem trees in at least three regional states of the
country and start the extraction of Azadirachtin and the production of
various neem bi-products. The Foundation, with the support of donors,
had planted over 150,000 neem seedlings in Afra regional state over the
last four years.
The
Neem Foundation of Ethiopia is a non-governmental organisation
established by Ethiopian scientists in 1995 to promote the Neem tree in
this country. Since its establishment, the Foundation has carried out
various activities to expand the plantation of neem trees in the
country.
"It
has medicinal value in addition to economic benefits. It can produce
timber and firewood while at the same time absorbing carbon and helping
with land conservation. It did not receive as much attention as it
should have in order to maximize its benefits. We are currently working
with the Neem Foundation of Ethiopia to make use of its advantages
exhaustively in the future," said Sertse Sibuh, forestry case team
coordinator at Ethiopia`s agriculture ministry.
Ramesh
C. Saxena is renowned for his bio-pest control initiative both in India
and globally. From 1991 to 2000, he was senior principal scientist at
the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in
Kenya where he coordinated a $1.79 million neem awareness project in
sub-Saharan Africa funded by the Finnish government and the United
Nations Environment Programme. The project contributed to mitigating
rural poverty through dissemination and diffusion of neem technology for
better plant, animal, human, and environmental health.
Saxena
received a masters in tropical agriculture from the University of
Hawaii and a doctorate in entomology from Delhi University.
IANS
Top 10: Greatest Bonsai Trees
Posted by Unknown in Bonsai, Horticulture and Floriculture, Tree on Saturday, 8 September 2012
Though growing Bonsai trees is a hobby practiced by many people around the world, its Asian origin is still obvious. Not surprisingly, the most impressive trees are to be found in collections of famous Japanese masters. We have put together a list of ten stunning trees that are unique in their beauty, balance and realism. These trees will help you appreciate this ancient and fascinating art!
The ten trees are not ordered in any way.
An 800 year-old Bonsai tree at Shunkaen, by Kunio Kobayashi
A remarkable tree which is well known for its extremely high age; the tree is reported to be over 800 years old! Its owner, master Kobayashi, is one of the most well known Bonsai artists in the world and has won the prestigious Prime Minister award in Japan 4 times. His nursery, ShunkaEn, is located in Tokyo and is open to visitors. For more information, click here!
Goshin "protector of the spirits", by John Naka
Goshin ("protector of the spirit") is a bonsai created by John Y. Naka. It is a forest planting of eleven Foemina Junipers, the earliest of which Naka began training into bonsai in 1948. Naka donated it to the National Bonsai Foundation in 1984, to be displayed at the United States National Arboretum; it has been there ever since. The tree is posted in our Top Bonsai gallery.
Small Bonsai; a Shohin tree by Morten Albek
A gorgeous Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horisontalis). This is a picture taken in spring; the tree flowers in summer and has small red berries in wintertime. The tree is only 9,5 cm (4 inches) high and is planted on a miniature rock. The pot is made by John Pitt, a famous potter. The tree is about 20 years old on the picture and has been in training for about a decade. For more images of Shohin trees by Morten Albek, click here!
Pinus Silvestris, by Stefano Frisoni
This tree is remarkably realistic, a character highly valued for Bonsai trees. As you can see, the foliage pads are very dense, as if it were clouds in the sky. Read the article on how this tree was cultivated and trained here!
Chinese styled trees; a Penjing landscape by Yee-sun Wu
This wonderful Chinese landscape belongs to the Man Lung collection in Hong Kong. The trees are Chinese Bird Plums (Sageretia Theezans) and together make up a very realistic scenery. The trees, rock and miniature figurines are placed on a shallow rectangular pot (made of marble), which in turn is displayed on an antique table.
Flowering Bonsai, by Wolfgang Putz
This tree is an Azalea species of only 14 cm (5 inches) high. The picture is taken in early spring, the moment when Azalea trees bloom (shortly, but very vividly!). The tree is planted in a Japanese pot.
Brazilian rain tree, by Budi Sulistyo
This tree is grown from a small cutting and the result above is a picture taken 12 years later. A native of Central- and South America the Brazilian Rain tree is considered one of the tropical world's most beautiful and also one of the most popular bonsai subjects. Read the article on how this tree was cultivated and trained here!
Mame Bonsai display, by Morten Albek
A Bonsai display (or in this case, a Mame display) normally consist of a central tree, a scroll and an accent plant. Together these objects create a powerful image, often a celebration of the current season.
Famous Bonsai; a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), by Walter Pall
One of the most famous Bonsai trees that belongs to the collection of an European Bonsai artist (Walter Pall), this tree is incredibly fine and realistic. The maple is big (almost a meter high, which is the maximum to be called a Bonsai tree) and over a hundred years old. A masterpiece without doubt, styled by an inspiring artist! The tree is posted in our Top Bonsai gallery.
Bonsai master Kimura
Last but not least, Bonsai sensei Masahiko Kimura. His varied collection of Bonsai trees is world famous. Started at age 15, Kimura was an apprentice to master Hamano in Omiya Bonsai village. For more of his fascinating and sometimes unconventional work.
bonsaiempire.com/
