3 Trillion

That’s the number of trees there are on the planet. Researchers came up with this number after mapping tree density in a worldwide collaborative effort. Their results were published in the 2015 Journal Nature, called Mapping Tree Density at a Global Scale. They did it by measuring the satellite density of over 400,000 small plots around the world and counting the exact number of trees in those plots. Then they could extrapolate how many individual trees there are on the whole globe. This means there are roughly 422 trees per person on Earth. Before this study, the only global estimate was just over 400 billion trees worldwide, or about 61 trees for every person on Earth. That prediction was generated using satellite imagery and estimates of forest area, but did not incorporate any information from the ground. Even though 3 trillion is a much bigger number than expected, this does not mean the earth’s forests are healthy. The number of trees has fallen in half since the invention of agriculture by humans about 10,000 years ago. We have cut down half of all the trees in the world in 10,000 years. They also estimated based on the rates of deforestation that there is a gross loss of 15 billion trees every year. How many individual species of trees are there? In the rainforest in Brazil or Northern Australia you can have hundreds and thousands of trees in a square mile, verses California which has 150 different species in the entire state, so diversity of different species is variable in the world. There are 300,000 species of plants in the world and of those 60,000 are tree species. We grow about 1,500 of those trees species in the worldwide horticulture trade or about 2.5%. There is a lot of uncaptured diversity that we just don’t grow, or can’t be grown.

This study highlights how much more effort is needed if we are to restore healthy forests worldwide. Healthy forests are essential for human health and combating climate change. You can help by contributing to any number of tree planting initiatives; Billion Tree Campaign, Delta Carbon Offset Program, Plant for the Planet, One Tree Planted, Green Belt Movement, American Forests, Trees for the Future, National Forest Foundation, Eden Reforestation Projects, just to name a few. Even the Queen is getting involved with the Queens Commonwealth Canopy which is helping forest conservation.

A picture of the Global tree density map below. You can find the map on line and zoom in on the density of trees in different areas.

Oh Deer

Here are some tips to discourage deer: For a vegetable garden, the only reliable method is the construction of at least an 8-foot high, woven wire fence that completely encloses planting beds. Several types of electric fencing provide a less expensive yet effective alternative. Elsewhere, nonelectric fences may be sufficient to keep deer out of an area if their density isn’t’ particularly high. Individual cages or plastic netting can protect smaller plantings. Deer repellents function either as taste or odor repellents, but there is nothing on the market that provides absolute protection. Repellents contain a blend of ingredients (putrescent whole egg solids, clove oil, garlic oil, ammonium soap of higher fatty acids and capsaicin) so read the label to ensure they are safe on edible fruits and plants. A dog of sufficient size and temperament may be kept on a leash near the garden and allowed to stay outdoor overnight. Noise-making devices (i.e. screeching hawks, exploders, sirens, whistles, etc.) aren’t recommended for the home garden because of the disturbance to neighbors and lack of effectiveness. Deer readily acclimate to the noise and are little disturbed after a few days of exposure.  Talk to your friends and neighbors for ornamental plants that deer dislike. My deer resistant favorites are: boxwood, weigela, sun king aralia, lilac, peony, and forsythia. But remember that no plant is completely deer-proof, particularly when deer densities are high. If you like to plant hostas, you’re giving a salad bar to the deer. When they’re well fed, they have more fawns. For more information on deer proofing your gardens

(Photo credit: Stephanie Town) Bird feeders and deer; often go together. Deer protection measures in a home garden. I have had good luck with Deer Scram, a granular product applied on top of the mulch around plants.

Peanut Butter Favorites Ingredients 3 C flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 sticks butter, room temperature 1 C peanut butter (do not use oil-separated or freshly ground) 2 tsp vanilla 1 C packed brown sugar 1 C sugar 2 eggs

Instructions Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter, peanut butter and vanilla. Beat in both sugars. Mix half of dry ingredients into butter mixture, add eggs. Mix in remaining dry ingredients.  Roll 1 heaping tablespoon dough. Flatten dough balls with back of fork forming crosshatch pattern. Bake 14 minutes.

Thanks for Reading and Happy Planting! Faith Faith Appelquist President & Founder