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10/15/2026

What if we could save beech trees?

What if the key to saving American beech trees is already growing in our forests?

Beech leaf disease has been a depressing presence in eastern forests since its discovery in Ohio in 2012. But scientists noticed something strange: some trees remained remarkably healthy even when neighboring trees were severely affected.

So, researchers at Holden Arboretum decided to get all up in there and poke around, and they just published the results.

First, they collected the microscopic nematodes responsible for the disease and introduced 100 of those buggers into individual beech buds. When the trees leafed out the following spring, different American beech genotypes showed significantly different amounts of damage.

In other words, even when exposed to the same number of nematodes, some American beech trees fared a lot better than others.

The results suggest that some American beech trees may possess natural genetic resistance to the disease.

To be clear, this doesn't mean scientists have found a cure. They still need to establish whether resistance is inherited and whether resistant trees can survive over the long term. But it does offer something eastern forests (and tree lovers like us) need: a possible path toward recovery.

And – bonus! - here's how you can help: Researchers are looking for unusually healthy American beech trees growing in forests where beech leaf disease has been present for years. If you find one, you can stop wasting time here on social media and report it through the app TreeSnap (treesnap.org or your friendly neighborhood corporate overlord app store).

Published in Forest Pathology, August 2026. Researchers: Burke, Mason, and Koch.
Want to explore more? Google: Holden Arboretum beech leaf disease genetic resistance 2026.


Photo credits:
Anna Funk / Holden Forests & Gardens
Kristen Wickert / USDA Forest Service (Public Domain)
NPS / Brolis (National Park Service)

10/04/2026

Did you know that, compared to a traditional forest, a Miyawaki forest grows about ten times faster? 🍃

In the 1970s, botanist Akira Miyawaki studied the native forests surrounding Shinto shrines and developed a method for growing thriving, biodiverse forests almost anywhere. His students say these forests can store up to 40x more carbon. Have you heard of the Miyawaki method before?

🎥: Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan, now streaming with PBS Passport

09/16/2026

Hope for restoration of chestnut trees in America

A historic breakthrough! The USDA greenlights a blight-resistant American chestnut, paving the way for ecological revival.

09/14/2026

6.19 Diesel is murdering small business.

09/11/2026

Survivors of 9/11 include a pear tree seen here with Jane Goodall.

When Dr. Jane Goodall saw the Survivor Tree at Ground Zero, she was moved to tears. Jane happened to be in New York City when the towers fell on September 11, 2001, and her visit to the September 11 Memorial over ten years later, particularly to meet the Survivor Tree, held great significance.

Jane also had the opportunity to meet Richie Cabo, the nursery manager who became the Survivor Tree's primary caregiver. Richie described to her how the Callery pear tree was pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center, severely damaged and burned. He explained how she was carefully restored and replanted at the memorial, a survival story that deeply touched Jane and spoke to her steadfast belief in nature's resiliency. Jane recounted this visit in her book, "Seeds of Hope":

"As we walked toward this special tree, I felt as much in awe as if I were going to meet one of the great spiritual leaders or shamans. She is not spectacular to look at — not until you realize what she has been through and understand the miracle of her survival. We stood together outside the protective railing. We reached out to gently touch the ends of her branches. Many of us, perhaps all, had tears in our eyes — my own eyes were too blurred to be sure."

📸: NYC Parks

09/07/2026

Dupont Circle’s “giving tree” has fallen.

“Homage to our DC version of ‘The Giving Tree'” in the middle of Dupont Circle -

09/06/2026

Road closure Montevideo Rd due to fatal crash.

| CRASH WITH ^3 EJECTED | 2100 block of MONTEVIDEO RD | | **Victim 1 in TRAUMA ARREST | Victim 2 and 3 to Trauma | Radio reports advise this was result of a police pursuit | Near William Burnett Co | Watch for closures for the investigation | At 2:30 AM | Howard County FD Assisting

09/05/2026

All HOLIDAY WEEKEND we are working. Thanks to our skilled staff we are there for DC.

WASHINGTON — Storm damage overnight left D.C. with debris and downed trees throughout the District, leading to over 1,100 requests for tree removals, according to the Mayor.

Teams are out removing trees that are blocking pathways and managing clean-up, said Mayor Muriel Bowser in a post on X on Friday.

The mayor said the efforts to remove the trees will “be a multi-day effort,” and officials received more than 1,100 requests for tree removals since last night.

Some traffic signals are out, said Bowser. She told drivers to be mindful and travel carefully. If there is a tree or tree limb blocking a right-of-way, Bowser said to report it to 311.

The storm lasted only around 90 minutes around 11 p.m. on Thursday. It left more than 34,000 customers without power in D.C. and Maryland, according to Dominion Energy.

The D.C. Department of Transportation officials said that if a tree falls on private property and does not impact a street, contact your insurance provider.

If a fallen tree impacts public space, report to 311, DDOT officials said.

Full story via WUSA9

09/05/2026

Dc crews in action.

09/04/2026

Big storm ripped up DC last night.
Help!