Speaking of “Heritage” Trees:
When development threatens a centuries-old tree, Japan sometimes chooses relocation over removal. The process, known as nemawashi, begins months before the tree is moved. Arborists gradually prune selected roots, encouraging new feeder roots to grow closer to the trunk. After six months to more than a year of preparation, the tree can be carefully excavated, moved and replanted.
Success varies by species, age and size. Trees that tolerate root pruning and regenerate roots readily are the best candidates. Japan has successfully used the technique with species including zelkova, pine, ginkgo and camphor.
The approach can also apply to hardy Zone 4 trees, including bur oak, hackberry, basswood and honey locust, although moving very large, mature trees becomes increasingly difficult. Bur oak is considered a challenging but potentially viable candidate when extensive preparation is possible.
Japan’s approach demonstrates that development does not always have to mean sacrificing treasured mature trees.
Source:
The Times of India
Our Rare Witness Tree
The Mighty Oak Meets Road Construction
Oh (O)Possum!
That strange creature crossing your driveway at night isn’t an escaped exotic. It may be one of Minnesota’s increasingly common suburban mammals, the Opossum.
An opossum looks like a cross between a muskrat and a rat. It is about the size of a house cat. It has a gray body, white face and pink nose. Its ears and tail are hairless.
Length: Approximately 3 feet from nose to tail.
Weight: 4 to 15 pounds.
Color: Grayish white, sometimes darker gray to nearly black.
Sounds: When threatened, opossums click their teeth, growl and screech.
Opossums mate between January and May, producing two litters of 6 to 20 young each year. Born barely developed, the tiny babies climb into their mother’s pouch, where they live for 60 to 70 days. For another month, they climb in and out of the pouch, staying close. When mouse-sized, they ride on their mother’s back until becoming more independent.
Opossums eat almost anything, such as worms, snakes, insects, eggs, young birds, fruit, grain, garbage and the remains of dead animals. After eating, opossums will wash much like a cat.
They live in woodlands and agricultural areas in all of Minnesota except the far northern part. The western suburbs of the Twin Cities are desirable habitat offering both an abundance of food and shelter.
Dogs, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls are the most common predators of these passive creatures.
The opossum’s naked ears, nose, and tail are very susceptible to freezing temperatures, which explains why the species is not found farther north. They spend most of their day in hollow logs or in dens in the ground, in brush piles, or under buildings. Some opossums will travel great distances, particularly at night.
Fun facts
- When cornered, opossums may fall into a death-like state and secrete foul-smelling scent. This is called playing dead or playing ‘possum’.
- Opossums are resistant to the venom of poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes, which they sometime eat.
- Opossums are related to kangaroos and other marsupials found in Australia.
Sources:
MN DNR
The Carltonian
Going in Circles: Roundabouts
If you feel like you are going in circles with all the new roundabout construction, you are. Roundabouts are increasingly used to improve traffic flow and safety.
As roundabouts increase dramatically in number, they become an almost daily topic of conversation and it seems either people love them–or not. Statistics show there is a disconnect between public perception and crash statistics.
Supporters emphasize the safety “pros:”
- Vehicles travel in the same direction at lower speeds. Severe head-on and right-angle crashes are greatly reduced.
- Studies show that roundabouts significantly decrease fatal and serious injury crashes compared to traditional signalized intersections.
- They improve traffic flow by allowing vehicles to keep moving instead of waiting for traffic lights, reducing delays, fuel consumption, and vehicle emissions.
- Roundabouts typically require less maintenance than traffic signals because they do not rely on electricity or expensive signal equipment.
- They accommodate large vehicles through specially designed truck aprons.
…and there are the “cons:”
- Construction costs can be high, especially where land acquisition or utility relocation is required.
- Some drivers may initially find them confusing, leading to hesitation or improper lane use.
- Pedestrians with visual impairments may face additional challenges crossing roads because there are no traffic signals to indicate when vehicles must stop.
- Bicyclists may also feel less comfortable navigating busy roundabouts.
- In areas with very heavy traffic from one dominant direction, a traditional signalized intersection may manage traffic more efficiently than a roundabout.
Whether a roundabout is the best choice depends on traffic volumes, safety goals, available space, and meeting the needs of all road users.
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