It’s a beautiful summer day and you find yourself enjoying the shade of a large tree at one of the many parks in Bath, Maine and the question comes up, ‘What kind of tree is this anyhow?’  Well, what a terrific question!  Thanks to a grant provided by the Maine Forest Service through Project Canopy, and some technical assistance from the folks at Wright-Pierce in Topsham the answer is no more than a click or tap away.

The City of Bath is pleased to announce the release of the Bath Tree Map.  The Bath Tree Map is designed to help users identify many of the trees found within the urban forest of Bath.   Bath Parks and Recreation Department through the Bath Forestry Division and City Arborist, volunteer members of the Bath Community Forestry Committee (BCFC) and local school groups have and continue to aid in the ongoing development of this map through the collection of individual tree data.

Users of Bath Tree Map will find a great deal of information at their fingertips.  The map is constructed with an aerial photo of the City as its backdrop.  All the streets, parks and various other sites within the City are labeled for quick reference.  Trees have been added to the map and are designated with a green dot.  Tree location is facilitated using GIS, geographic information system technology, to accurately place the dot where the tree is found in ‘real life’.  Users will find Ash trees are designated with a purple star.  The Ash trees are under threat from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and as such are delineated on the map to show the potential impact of this non-native pest upon the urban forest.

Interface with the map is meant to be as accurate as possible.  Users who have interest in a particular tree may zoom to its location.  By clicking on the symbol associated with the tree users may discover the common name, genus, species, and DBH (diameter at breast height) of the tree.  A picture is available for every tree and eventually an attached general facts sheet for the particular tree genus/species.  Map users can also find links to Project Canopy and sites to help with tree identification and a tree benefits calculator. Visit the Tree Map at http://arcg.is/2hl30DP

New rules prohibit sale of 33 invasive terrestrial plants

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has adopted rules to prohibit the sale and distribution of thirty-three terrestrial plants that were deemed invasive. The plants were reviewed by a specially-convened committee of horticulture professionals, land managers, foresters, wildlife biologists and other scientists. The new rule went into effect on January 14, 2017, but the prohibition of sales does not begin until January 1, 2018.

“The plants on this list have invaded farms, fields, forests and wetlands throughout the state,” said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “Although many were originally promoted with good intentions, such as, the prevention of soil erosion or to support wildlife, they have spread throughout Maine to the detriment of native species. In many places they have come to dominate forests, wetlands, fields and local landscapes, excluding native plants that support our economy and natural areas.”

“The Maine Forest Service, Public Lands and the Natural Areas Program have joined with the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to locate and eradicate invasive plant and animal species,’ said Doug Denico, Maine State Forester. “The Public Lands are a major focus of current efforts, with education of the public also a critical undertaking in order to extend the department’s statewide effectiveness.”

“All but three of the prohibited plants have been, or continue to be sold in the nursery trade, said Gary Fish, Maine State Horticulturist. “Some of them have already been discontinued by nurseries which recognized their harmful potential. Three are not intentionally sold, but are “horticultural hitchhikers” which sprout as weeds in the pots and rootballs of plants sold in the nursery trade. A few of the plants are still in some demand, including Japanese barberry, burning bush, privet and Norway maple, especially the crimson king variety. Maine nurseries and garden centers will have until January 1, 2018, to sell stock already on hand.”

Many non-invasive alternatives are available to help homeowners and nursery professionals satisfy their landscape needs without using the invasive plants on the list.

A copy of the rules and the plant list are found on the DACF website at:
http://www.maine.gov/…/php/horticulture/invasiveplants.shtml

There is also a list of resources to help find alternative plants at: www.maine.gov/dacf/php/horticulture/invasiveplants.shtml…

To identify and control invasive plants, the Department maintains plant fact sheets and a gallery of photos and management tips at: http://www.maine.gov/…/featur…/invasive_plants/invasives.htm

Photo inset: Norway maple leaf (Acer platanoides) is a common invader of native woodlands. While it appears very similar to native sugar maple, the milky sap that exudes from leaves and twigs is a giveaway to its identity.