Ottawa announces $100-million stimulus for Atlantic region May 15, 2009
It will be spent on tree planting and thinning, among other things. The government is inviting funding proposals for projects that can be completed before March 31, 2011, from non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, individuals, co-operatives, small- and medium-sized businesses, and First Nations, provincial and municipal governments. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Local auto dealers hopeful May 15, 2009
By Ryan Bentley News-Review Staff Writer Friday, May 15, 2009 6:55 AM EDT With Chrysler and General Motors soon to announce plans for thinning their dealer networks, the automakers franchisees around Northwest Michigan haven t gotten an insider s view of who s staying and who s going. But while the local dealerships can t be totally sure that they ll maintain their portfolio of brands, several of their managers noted that they see reasons for hope as the automakers continue with restructuring to... (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Biomass anxiety May 8, 2009
Proponents of biomass power generation counter that careful thinning of forests to produce biomass fuel could actually increase the capacity of remaining trees to grow quickly and absorb more carbon dioxide. Also, unlike other renewable energy sources like wind and solar, biomass would provide baseload, not intermittent, power. (Boston Globe)
Pruning Deciduous Spring-flowering ... May 8, 2009
The best way to prune deciduous spring-flowering shrubs is to use thinning cuts ... Pruning deciduous spring-flowering shrubs in early spring or late fall, when leaves are absent, allows meticulous correction and thinning of the plant's branching habit ... Thinning cuts require skill, patience and time, but are well worth the resulting beauty and vigor of pruned shrubs. (Suite101.com)
Africa: UN Wants to Ban DDT May 8, 2009
It is infamous for threatening bird populations by thinning eggshells. But exemptions have been allowed in many developing nations because it so effective in killing mosquitoes. (allAfrica.com)
War on pine beetle will change popular park views May 8, 2009
Needles, Sylvan Lake: 'Won't look the same' after tree-thinning project ... Custer State Park officials intend to remove two-thirds of the pine trees in extensive areas of the forest near those popular tourist spots, and to clean up slash piles and other debris left from the new cutting operations and past thinning projects ... Adam Gahagan, a senior forester in the park, said typical tree-thinning operations remove one-third to one-half of the trees in a treatment area. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Trimming back: Tree fruit industry hit by low prices, sagging market May 7, 2009
"Essentially, it did a lot of thinning for us. We have a little less fruit, which helps the market out," Diepersloot said. The reporter can be reached at 583-2432. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Dellums' Limited Headway On Report Goals May 5, 2009
The report gave hope to those in and outside City Hall that changes would happen, especially since Dellums said he would immediately begin taking action on the plan, which recommended, among other things, showing up to work on time every Monday and thinning out his own administrative ranks and auditing several city departments. When releasing the report, Dellums said: "This ... will make us leaner, meaner, more efficient, more transparent and hold people to a higher standard.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Forest Service considers prescribed burns in Black Elk Wilderness area May 5, 2009
The same project could include prescribed burns, as well as thinning and logging of pine stands, all to improve wildlife habitat within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, according to Kelly Honors, the interdisciplinary team leader for the Norbeck Wildlife Project ... Thinning of ladder fuels could lessen the impact of wildfire, helping large trees thrive, she said. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
The Grapevine: Three-grape blend generates buzz Apr 30, 2009
Without a watchful eye -- and much crop thinning -- syrah's prodigious yields in the vineyard can result in diluted, alcoholic wines. Not a bad candidate for blending, syrah can contribute full-bodied, fleshy flavors of black fruits and pepper. (Florida Today)
Separate your waste from June 1 Apr 29, 2009
We cant turn back the clock on global warming or the thinning of our ozone, or even the contamination of our rivers, but we can slow it down by adopting a more environment friendly way of life by starting with saving our landfills, he said. Zahri said the scheme had already been implemented in Putrajaya last year and that was why the recycling rate in Putrajaya is much higher compared with Kuala Lumpur. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Habitat projects bring collateral benefits Apr 18, 2009
Projects range from removing noxious weeds to thinning overgrown forests to using prescribed burns to strengthen winter range forage ... Over the last couple years, we've seen more and more projects going toward forest thinning rather than burning, RMEF conservation director Tom Toman said Friday ... In Lewis and Clark County, the Helena National Forest will see 650 acres of thinning and grassland restoration. (Missoulian, MT)
Is Napa Valley Cabernet falling back to Earth? Apr 13, 2009
It seems many restaurants and retailers are thinning their inventories and not acquiring a whole lot more. With a slow market for expensive wine, and an uneven vintage sitting in the wings, these may not be the cheeriest of times along Highway 29. (San Francisco Chronicle)
I, robot - and gardener: MIT droids tend plants Apr 11, 2009
There have been attempts to get robots to replace humans at farm tasks, from thinning apple trees to picking asparagus, but none of the machines "have sufficient capacity to compete with human beings," said Tony Grift, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois. Even when technology has proven to be useful in agriculture, such as on tractors equipped with satellite imagery of fields, it often is prohibitively expensive. (AZCentral -- News)
Cows create homes for tadpole shrimp Apr 8, 2009
Officials didn't realize the cows were thinning out the invasive grass that had been introduced by European settlers more than a century before. After acquiring the property, state officials tried to return it to a more natural state by removing cows in the early 1990s. (Fresno Bee)
Obama in Baghdad, tells troops Iraq must take over Apr 8, 2009
" The military is in the process of thinning out its presence ahead of a June 30 deadline under a U.S.-Iraq agreement negotiated last year that requires all American combat troops to leave Iraq's cities. As that process moves forward, the increase in bombings and other incidents is creating concern that extremists may be regrouping. While Obama spent much of the past week overseas grappling with the worldwide economic crisis and the war in Afghanistan, a constant theme of the trip was his... (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Berry farmers prepare for cold snap Apr 7, 2009
As for the peaches, Hinnant said most of the time the crop needs to be thinned anyway and temperatures just below freezing may be Mother Nature s thinning mechanism. But she says she is concerned about the blueberries, which have already bloomed. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Topping' bad for your trees Apr 6, 2009
Talk to your tree care professional about thinning a tree rather than topping it. Thinning is the removal of unwanted branches by cutting them back to their origin. (Montana Standard, MT)
Mother Natures test Apr 5, 2009
So, a little thinning is beneficial, and a freeze is nature s method ... Me and Mother Nature sometimes disagree on the appropriate thinning, he said. (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Idaho dairy farmers cut back as dairy prices drop Mar 30, 2009
At the same time, high feed prices have some farmers thinning herds and cutting their losses. "We recognized in November and December that we were facing some tough times," Idaho Dairymen's Association President Bob Naerebout said. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Some grasses thrive under shade Mar 27, 2009
I have noticed a gradual thinning of my grass over the past few years. I guess it is because I have so many trees. (The Augusta Chronicle)
April garden guide Mar 25, 2009
Mid- to end of April is the best time to seed or sod bare spots or overseed thinning grass. A good choice for Valley lawns is Bermuda grass. (AZCentral -- Home)
Fuel Removal And Prescribed Burns Reduce Wildfire Severity But May Invite Invasives Mar 22, 2009
Four articles examine the effects of prescribed burns, mechanical treatment (usually thinning of the smallest trees) and a combination of both with control plots at 12 study sites in forests across the United States ... In addition, a combination of prescribed burns and mechanical thinning increased the incidence of tree death from bark beetles and wood borers. (Science Daily)
Dwarf mondo grass has rewards Mar 20, 2009
Thinning also allows the remaining fruit to get larger and healthier. Thin within 25 days of peak bloom, leaving 4 to 6 inches between fruits. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Green thumbs up: Pruning tools and techniques Mar 19, 2009
The two basic approaches to pruning are heading back and thinning out ... Thinning out produces a more natural, graceful appearance and tends to be the preferred technique for pruning woody ornamentals ... When thinning out a tree or shrub, step back and observe the shape and structure of the plant before you begin the pruning process. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Israeli army uses PIs to spy on suspect dodgers Mar 18, 2009
Claiming religious devotion has long been an easy route out of conscription, but now the army sees two trends thinning its ranks: draft-dodging in general among both sexes, and an upsurge among women, nearly 40 percent of whom now take the quick and easy religious option. The army's fightback became public this month when grainy footage was leaked to Israeli media showing a young woman in a tight shirt appearing to kiss a young man something no religious, unmarried female would do in public. (Yahoo News)
Go faux for easy, ever-lush garden Mar 13, 2009
In an effort to make the faux plants appear as realistic as possible, Woods did just that - cutting, thinning, bending and folding them into lifelike simulations. "If plants are too uniform, they look fake," he says. (AZCentral -- Home)
Sandy Springs cited for clear-cutting riverbank Mar 10, 2009
Dettwiler said the city believed it could remove bamboo and dead or damaged trees without special permission because the work was done by hand, and the law allows some thinning next to the river. He insisted no healthy trees were cut down along the riverfront, which is part of a greater 26-acre plan for Overlook Park. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Watching seeds sprout indoors might help Spring Fever Mar 3, 2009
Thinning, transplanting, and hardening-off seedlings are also important to the success of seeding indoors. For proper plant growth, all duties must be done correctly and in a timely manner. (Hartford City News-Times, IN)
Arctic ice thickness 'plummets' Mar 1, 2009
The thickness of Arctic sea ice "plummeted" last winter, thinning by as much as one-fifth in some regions, satellite data has revealed. A study by UK researchers showed that the ice thickness had been fairly constant for the previous five winters. (BBC News -- Science)
Explorers begin epic Arctic trek Mar 1, 2009
If, as scientists tell us, the ice is thinning quickly, then it should set alarm bells ringing around the world ... "We're only doing this because there is such an urgent need for more ground-truthing data about the permanent floating sea-ice. "If, as scientists tell us, the ice is thinning quickly, then it should set alarm bells ringing around the world. (BBC News -- UK)
School land plan goal to maximize revenue Feb 26, 2009
Foresters will begin thinning the district's stands quickly, with expected revenue of $57,826 in 2010 tripling to $174,880 in 2011. Revenues are expected to level off at a high amount beyond 2011 when foresters begin thinning harvest-ready timber every five to seven years. (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Timber industry continues slide Feb 25, 2009
logger wrote on Feb 21, 2009 9:37 AM:" Timber harvest on National Forests in Montana have dropped by 80% in 15 years. Here's some number the people of Montana have never been told by the media. Only 17% of the "forested acres" on the Lolo NF were logged in the last 50 years.The Beaverhead-Deerlodge had only 5% logged. The Helena only 7%. The Flathead 13%. Such low numbers make any timber sale litigation look ridiculous and petty! Your forests are nothing but "snag" and "goshawk" habitat. The... (Missoulian, MT)
Seeding Secrets for a Sensational Lawn Feb 20, 2009
Fixing some bare spots on the lawn or filling out thinning grass requires the right type of seed, a little know-how and the patience to, literally, watch grass grow. "Even the most well-cared-for lawn can develop a bald patch here or there over the winter," says John Marshall, manager of The Scotts Training Institute for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. (Pekin Times, IL)
In Detroit, the end of a road Feb 17, 2009
And now the cuts are drastically thinning the ranks of white-collar professionals. GM delivered another blow last week when it said it would reduce its global salaried work force by 14 percent, or 10,000 workers this year. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Kidnocker: Tough tree-topping talk Feb 14, 2009
By careful and artful pruning and thinning, trees can be made part of the view. Nearby trees can establish a perspective for distant vistas by selective interior trimming. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Grocery store plan for outlet mall in Sagamore Feb 11, 2009
Moore said MassHighway will, however, allow for cleaning and thinning of vegetation. High Rock, in efforts to attract motorists, has also secured zoning board approval for 60-foot high signs, signaling that the mall that will be transformed in terms of appearance, amenities and tenants. (Upper Cape Codder, MA)
Farm worker programs debated as US economy sours Feb 11, 2009
Fruit trees require hand-pruning and thinning, and the many varieties of pears, peaches and cherries are selectively picked by hand for ripeness and to avoid bruising. Some of Washington's row crops, such as asparagus, also have traditionally required hand labor. (Anchorage Daily News)
Woody Biomass Utilization for Power Generation -- An Overview Feb 7, 2009
Harvesting may occur as thinning in young stands, or cutting in older stands for timber or pulp that also yields tops and branches usable for bioenergy. Harvesting operations usually remove only 25 to 50 percent of the volume, leaving the residues available as biomass for energy. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Faster Hawaiian Tree Growth Without Adverse Ecosystem Effects Apr 1, 2008
Scientists in this study began to fill this knowledge gap in 2002 when they started measuring how koa trees respond to the thinning of competing trees and the application of fertilizers ... In addition, they found the treatments did not adversely affect the growth of native understory plants and non-native grasses did not grow more where tree thinning had occurred ... Haraguchi and other US Forest Service scientists found the stem diameter of koa trees with timber potential doubled through a... (Science Daily)
GM's Broken Axle Mar 29, 2008
It accomplished something GM needed anyway thinning the company's bloated stock of gas-guzzling trucks. But as the work stoppage drags on, with a host of major issues still to be resolved, it is taking a deeper bite out of GM's finances. (BusinessWeek)
Study: Fast-growing koa aids biodiversity Mar 28, 2008
Haraguchi and other U.S. Forest Service scientists found the stem diameter of koa trees with timber potential doubled through a combination of treatments that included thinning, herbicides and fertilizers ... After selecting trees for a crop, the scientists used three "conservative" techniques to enhance the crop trees: removing alien grass with an herbicide, adding phosphorous fertilizer and thinning surrounding weaker koa trees. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Council graces brush edict Mar 27, 2008
Manzanita, serviceberry, mountain whitethorn, sage and mountain mahogany are the five native plants that require thinning or removal if growing within 15 feet of a structure. Structures include patios and decks, Miller said. (Big Bear Grizzly, CA)
US studies protection for ribbon seal Mar 27, 2008
The NOAA based its decision to review the status of the seals on projections over the loss and thinning of Arctic sea ice, the high quotas for seal hunting set by the Russians in recent years as well as potential harmful effects of oil and gas development and production in both the United States and Russia, according to officials. Commercial fishing and climate change also can be affecting the food supply of the ribbon seal, they said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
The Clackamas River basin benefits from stewardship of the forests Mar 26, 2008
The result is Clackamas Stewardship Partners, an award-winning program that uses proceeds from timber-thinning projects to improve fish and wildlife habitat, create healthier forests and restore damage from off-road vehicles ... The partners meet once a month to review thinning proposals, identify restoration needs and recommend projects, such as restoring fish passage, decommissioning unused roads, improving campsites, thinning plantations and ensuring clean drinking water. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Farmers braced for freeze Mar 25, 2008
Even though kills could be beneficial to a certain extent, because it helps with thinning, there is a fine line between helping and hurting. "Freezes are very sensitive to agriculture this time of year," said weather service meteorologist Darone Jones. (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
Battle lines shift for war on fire Mar 23, 2008
The measures include prescribed fire, thinning fuels and allowing fires to burn if they don't threaten people, homes, infrastructure, natural resources and protected species' habitat. 2000 to date: More people build homes in the West's forests and demand fire protection. (Missoulian, MT)
Shade, poor soil permit moss growth Mar 21, 2008
Removing the least desirable trees and thinning or removing shrubs will also help. Areas surrounded by buildings and vegetation with limbs close to the ground may require considerable work to provide adequate air circulation and light penetration. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Time to put that gorilla on a diet Mar 18, 2008
"We're trying to keep calorie intake within a limit ... "We are very vigilant about monitoring the animals' weight, because, like humans, it can lead to other health problems," Watts said.Keepers at the Indianapolis Zoo are trying a different approach. Instead of fattening sweets, they offer sugar-free Jell-O to their polar bears, hiding the treats around the habitat."It tastes good, but is calorie-free," said zoo nutritionist Jason Williams.Other tasty treats include low-salt crackers and... (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
How Diabetes Drives Atherosclerosis Mar 18, 2008
While studies have proven that aspirin can prevent a second heart attack by thinning the blood, researchers at the. (Dec. (Science Daily)
Thaw Of World's Glaciers Quickens To New Record-UN Mar 17, 2008
"Data from close to 30 reference glaciers in nine mountain ranges indicate that between the years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 the average rate of melting and thinning more than doubled," it said ... UNEP said that the thinning was the fastest since monitoring began. (Planet Ark, United States)
His dying wish Mar 16, 2008
Steve runs his hands through his thinning, untidy hair and beard as he says this. The graying, light brown whiskers around his mouth have grown long, reaching past his chin. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
With a little care and prep, strawberries easily bear fruit Mar 15, 2008
This involves removing plants that have rooted outside of the defined rows and thinning plants in the rows to allow for good air circulation and maximum sun exposure for each plant. Start by weeding the bed, and narrowing the planted rows to 6-12 inches. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Playing pivot Mar 15, 2008
Just remember that this sort of thinning is safe only if you don't use any chemicals on your soil ... Even the best beet thinnings aren't worth it. (Daily Triplicate)
Workers reject cuts at Wells' (2360) Mar 15, 2008
why are we not thinning out the high paid management. One ice cream plant used to run more machines and put out more product with a total of 12-14 managers. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Ohio vote all about the economy Mar 4, 2008
He's seen it in the thinning traffic to the dealership. A year or so ago he might have sold 200 cars a month. (MSNBC -- Race)
Alien Trees Destroying Native Hawaiian Forests Mar 4, 2008
But surveys of rain forests carpeting the volcanoes Mauna Kea and Kilauea indicate that the native trees are thinning out as invasive trees such as tropical ash and firetree encroach on their habitat. "The particular non-native species that we studied actually change the structure of the rain forest by shading out native species," Asner said. (National Geographic)
Garden, landscape guide for March Mar 1, 2008
The shed of newly set citrus fruit is a natural thinning worsened by hot weather and dry winds. There is no cause for concern. (AZCentral -- Home)
Your lawn can survive ongoing drought Feb 28, 2008
If grass exists but is thinning, consider aerating the soil. (You can rent a power core aerator from a gardening center. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Home & Garden)
Create a rain garden Feb 26, 2008
You should not have to water your rain garden once the plants are established and minimal weeding and thinning will be about as much maintenance as this garden needs. There are limitless design possibilities with your rain garden and a number of wonderful resources are available for reference online. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Full Story » Feb 25, 2008
In 2007, Corps teams took on a number of projects geared towards maintaining or protecting the county's ecosystems, including forest thinning for fire mitigation and the removal of invasive species ... Another team did forest-thinning operations on 168 acres in Heil Valley Ranch Open Space, and on 5. (Boulder Colorado Daily, CO)
Skin care from the inside Feb 22, 2008
New studies have shown that two nutrients, namely vitamin C and a fat called omega-6 linoleic acid, helped to prevent those inevitable wrinkles and thinning of the skin that comes with age ... Skin aging was defined as a wrinkled appearance or dryness as a result of aging and skin thinning or atrophy. (Marco Island Sun-Times, FL)
Farmworkers Feed Us All Feb 22, 2008
Those who migrate to Maine are a diverse collection of workers hailing from Central America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to harvest local crops such as wild blueberries, broccoli, apples and eggs, as well as planting and thinning trees and dairy farming. Descriptive text and interviews by Watson and Dotters hand-harvest photographs complement one another to bring voice to the living, working and health care circumstances of Maines migrant workers. (Courier Publications, ME)
Besides gravity, what makes fruit drop? Feb 21, 2008
While European plums don't need as much pruning as the more vigorous Japanese varieties, they do need shaping when young and some thinning later. (If you haven't been doing this, I strongly suggest hiring a professional arborist to work on your trees. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Prune those Bradford pear trees now Feb 16, 2008
The first nice day is for thinning out the centers of Bradford pears, which tend to be shallow-rooted and top-heavy. They are definitely not low-maintenance trees, but if you care for them and thin out the centers to let in light they should be less vulnerable to storms and live for a long time. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
