conifers

Volunteer citizen scientists working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe conducted surveys of Donner and Spooner Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species, and restored native wetland habitat in Johnson Meadow in September. Both efforts are aimed at preserving the Tahoe-Truckee region’s unique ecology.

Our big birch has finally given up after decades of bronze birch borer and sapsucker damage. Rows of regular horizontal holes about a quarter-inch in diameter cover the trunk from bottom to top. These are caused by sapsucker woodpeckers drilling for sap in the tree. Initally, borer damage reduced the flow of water and food within the tree, causing limbs to die each year. The sapsucker feeding finally finished the tree off.

Although I have never tried Epsom salts, named for a town in England, in my landscape or garden, I have heard many gardeners rave about what they call a miracle cure for plants. Whenever I wonder about whether something is a horticulture myth, I turn to Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., a well-respected horticulture researcher at Washington State University.

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why: Because Santa Claus is coming to Carson City!

While visiting the Nevada State Museum on Dec. 8, join us for Pines Are Fine.

Make a holiday wreath and a pine needle angel to decorate your tree or packages. Make a table top holiday tree out of a pine cone.

My friend Will asked me if I knew that the dawn redwood grew in Reno. I thought there was one at the University, but he had seen one at someone’s home. Since I couldn’t remember the scientific name, I looked it up: Metasequoia glyptostroboides.

The Carson City area is awash in entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly options this weekend. Santa Claus is popping up all over, including at Benson Feed for the annual CASI Pet Photos with St. Nick and aboard the train at our Railroad Museum’s Santa Train. The musical ‘Honk, Jr’ for the young ones and Love/Sick for the older crowd are on the stage at the Brewery Arts Center. Spend the day at the Silver Saddle Ranch: their annual Holiday Open House is the perfect time to explore their trails and learn more about the working ranch’s preservation.

Holiday crafts that celebrate the Nevada pine trees are on the agenda for the December program “Pines are Fine” at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City from 10 a.m. to 3.pm. Saturday, Dec. 12. No reservations are needed and guests of all ages are welcome.

Families are invited to explore “Pines are Fine,” a special Nevada State Museum holiday program from 10 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 in Carson City. Visitors are invited to craft a pine cone wreath, a pine cone angel or decorate a small holiday tree made from a Jeffrey Pine cone and may work as long as they would like on the craft.

The public is invited to attend the Nevada State Museum's Frances Humphrey Lecture Series featuring The Mysterious Snow Plant, by Pat King, PhD, botanist, naturalist, and dedicated museum volunteer. November also marks the 22nd anniversary of the museum’s Frances Humphrey Lecture Series which began in 1992. The lecture runs from 6:30 - 7:30 pm; doors open at 6 pm.