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Transforming Invasive Plants into Valuable Resources – The Biochar Solution with Pratikshya SilwalPratikshya Silwal recently finished for PhD in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University. She joins The Drip to share how biochar, a form of charcoal produced through pyrolysis, can be used as a sustainable additive in potting mixes. We'll uncover how it can replace conventional components, the size and growth of the global biochar market, and its environmental impact. Pratikshya also shares insights into her groundbreaking research on converting the problematic eastern red cedar tree into valuable biochar and discusses consumer willingness to adopt this innovative product. In this episode, you'll hear about:What is biochar, and how is it produced through pyrolysis?The factors that are driving the growth of the global biochar marketHow biochar in soil contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissionsPratikshya's research on using the invasive eastern red cedar… and which other plant species can be used to produce biocharJump to:(01:05) What is biochar?(03:39) How the invasive eastern red cedar threatens ecosystems and agriculture.(07:32) Some studies show negative effects of biochar.(12:14) The power of the optimistic mindset: everything happens for the best.(14:44) Featured artist and song(15:46) This episode's MantraFeatured Artist and Song:Midnight Thoughts by McNastyLinks mentioned in this episode:Oklahoma State University‘Role of biochar toward carbon neutrality' by Liuwei Wang, Jiayu Deng, Xiaodong Yang, Renjie Hou and Deyi HouOne Love by Blue, music was chosen by Pratikshya SilwalConnect with the showAQUALABZachary Cartwright, PhD
This week, the Extension Experience Podcast provides a re-run of a very popular episode from 2023 about the Eastern Redcedar. Dana invites Dr. Laura Goodman back to discuss the negative impacts of Eastern Redcedar on our nations grasslands. They discuss how the Eastern Redcedar has become commonplace in our grasslands across the U.S. and the [ Read More ]
In today's deep dive, we'll learn about an evergreen called the eastern redcedar that is taking increasing amounts of land throughout the Great Plains.
Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to last month's episode for the full discussion! Learn more about Eastern redcedar in the Great Plains: www.gpsaf.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/GPSAF-Position-Statement-on-Eastern-Redcedar-in-the-Great-Plains.pdf Find your rural district forester: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/district_offices/index.html Locate your NRCS office: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/kansas Locate your local Extension Office: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html Learn more about all the species we sell in our Conservation Tree sales and the benefits and limitations of each: https://www.kansasforests.org/conservation_trees/products/index.html Connect with your KDWP Wildlife Biologist:https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Private-Landowner-Assistance/Wildlife-Biologists Learn more about the vital role oak trees play in Kansas wildlife populations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHiTKfic-a8&t=5s Sign up for the Kansas Canopy Newsletter: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1M2rmSFPJ25zW2a
Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to next month's episode for the conclusion! www.gpsaf.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/GPSAF-Position-Statement-on-Eastern-Redcedar-in-the-Great-Plains.pdf
This week, Dana invites Dr. Laura Goodman back to discuss the negative impacts of Eastern Redcedar on our nations grasslands. They discuss how the Eastern Redcedar has become commonplace in our grasslands across the U.S. and the importance of control to maintain rangeland health. Sources for this episode include: Eastern Redcedar as a Hazardous Fuel [ Read More ]
Bob welcomes Greg Torres back to revisit the eastern redcedar tree. Bill and Bob did an episode on this tree in 2017 and had some questions that Greg, our very own plant guru, has some thoughts on. Thanks to Cincinnati Nature Center for sponsoring this episode. Visit www.CincyNature.org – that's C-I-N-C-Y-Nature.org – to register for January 2023 online classes and don't forget to use promo code NATURE to get 25% off. Related Episodes: Why We Don't Hug Eastern Redcedar Trees, Walnut Woods Our sources for this episode include: Eastern Redcedar Juniperus Virginiana Facts for Kids Eastern Redcedar Control on Range and Pasture The Pros and Cons of the Eastern Redcedar
The holidays are literally right around the corner! Have you gotten all your decorating done? You may have answered yes to that question, but have you thought about the outdoor decorations? Have you ever heard of a winter container garden? Yes! You can create a container garden in the winter time. To find out just how to create a winter container garden, stay with me on the Sunshine Gardening Podcast for my secrets on creating a gorgeous winter container garden for this holiday season! Remember that pretty container filled with annual flowers that was used all summer and maybe even to fall if you weren't too tired? Well, the same container can be re-worked and situated in your home's entryway to welcome close family and friends in for the holidays! To begin creating a winter container garden, use a hard plastic or wood container that can withstand the harsh winter elements filled with potting soil mix. Make sure the potting soil is a little below the top rim of the container. If not, add more potting soil or use newspaper to bring it closer to the top. Next, collect clippings from different landscape trees and shrubs growing around your home or neighborhood. Examples of greenery might include southern magnolia, white pine, Eastern red cedar, holly, heavenly bamboo, spruce, boxwood, and Eastern hemlock. Cut varying lengths of greenery when gathering samples. The thought is to use the longer pieces to “spill” out of the arrangement and the shorter pieces to “fill” in around the spiller plants. Kentucky's landscape is filled with different varieties of evergreen trees and shrubs that can be cut and used as fresh greenery in a number of holiday decorations for the home! Take a look around your yard to see what greens are available in your neighborhood. White Pine, scientifically known as Pinus strobus, offers a blue green color to arrangements and provides a nice fragrance when situated in the home. Not to mention, it has excellent needle retention.Another readily available greenery item is Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana, which possesses fleshy blue berries for good color and smells wonderful when brought indoors.Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, a favorite among Southerners has glossy, dark green leaves with velvety, brown undersides that give an interesting contrast when placed against other leaf textures.Holly is another traditional holiday green that adds interest depending on the variety that is being used. Some leaves give a blue color while other holly varieties can be variegated. If looking for berries, make sure to collect from the female plant.Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, is one of my favorites to use around the holidays for decorating. This evergreen gives a lacey effect to fresh arrangements. The leaves are flat and the undersides have more of a white appearance on the undersides. At the ends, find small pinecones that look like little ornaments attached.Other types of greenery such as Colorado Blue Spruce, and Boxwood are acceptable, too. Things to know before cutting. Make sure to use clean, sharp cutters and cut at an angle for better transport of water and nutrients. Before cutting greenery from trees in the landscape, carefully consider which branches need to be cut. It is best to distribute cuts evenly throughout the tree or shrub to preserve its natural form. The tips to know to ensure freshness! After cutting the greenery, immerse stems into a bucket filled with water and soak it overnight to maximize moisture. An optional step would be to allow the greenery to dry and then spray it with an anti-transpirant such as Wilt-pruf to help seal in additional moisture. However if you are using blue spruce, juniper berries, or cedar avoid using anti-transpirants, since this product can damage the wax coating that gives the plants their unique color. Now comes for the fun part---creating the winter container garden! Here are some items that you will need before you...
Conor Barnes, Ph.D. student in the School of Natural Resources and an upcoming speaker for the CGS Fall Seminar Series, talks about early state statutes for managing eastern redcedar and how future laws could address the current plight of eastern redcedar encroachment.
Trees Are Key It’s that time of year where you are either spending more time outside because it finally thawed out from winter…. Or you’ve retreated back inside because the heat and mosquitoes are just too much… but now is an important time to inspect or monitor your trees. One of the pests you might find this time of year is bagworms – usually they’re just a nuisance, but left unchecked and they can devastate a stressed plant. Listen in to learn more. Species Spotlight The Eastern Redcedar Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is an Evergreen Texas native. A large tree to up to 50 feet tall, with a straight, fluted trunk 12" to 24" in diameter and a dense, narrow, conical or columnar crown of dark green foliage, the Eastern Redcedar can be found scattered throughout East Texas, north and west to Wichita county and south to Colorado county.
Rich and Sara Grim head-up the Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association. They have been using fire as a tool for fighting an imbalance of Eastern Redcedar. Subscribe to WCP: WorkingCows.net/Subscribe Our Amazing Grasslands Video: Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association on Facebook: facebook.com/MMRPBA Article Mentioned: Working Ranch-September/October 2018
This is a tree that may show up in your neighborhood as a volunteer. It is a great food source for birds. You might even have an old pencil made from this tree. Our sources for this episode include: Eastern Redcedar - http://www.gpnc.org/eastern.htm Juniperus virginiana - http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=juvi Eastern Redcedar in the Landscape - http://vnps.org/eastern-red-cedar-in-the-landscape/ Go Botany Juniperus Virginiana - http://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/juniperus/virginiana/
Tree Details Hardiness zone: 2 – 9 Height: 40 – 50 Spread: 8 – 20 ; Size is extremely variable Habit: Symmetrical conical-pyramidal Light: Best in full sun, tolerates shade only when very young Soil: Deep, moist, well-drained loam preferable; tolerant of adverse soil conditions, poor gravelly soils, acidic and basic soils Flowers: Cones: male cones inconspicuous Fruit: globular or ovoid, 1/5 long, berry-like cones Landscape use: Excellent specimen and mass if used with care, useful for windbreaks, hedges and topiary work History: Named ‘Cupressifolia’ in 1964 but that name was taken, renamed ‘Hillspire’; introduced by D. Hill Nursery Co., Dundee, IL PestsProblems: bagworm; Problems: cedar apple rust Significant Features: Maintains bright green foliage in winter
Tree Details Hardiness zone: 2 – 9 Height: 40 – 50 Spread: 8 – 20; Size is extremely variable Habit: In youth: densely pyramidal; At maturity: variable in wild from almost columnar to broadly pyramidal; slightly pendulous in old age Light: Best in full sun, tolerates shade only in extreme youth Soil: Deep, moist, well-drained loam preferable; tolerant of adverse soil conditions, poor gravelly soils, acidic and basic soils Flowers: greenish-yellow cones Fruit: globular or ovoid, 1/5 long cones Landscape use: Excellent specimen and mass if used with care in color combinations; useful for windbreaks, hedges and topiary work History: Native range is east and central North America, east of Rocky Mountains; introduced before 1664 PestsProblems: Pests: bagworms; Problems: cider apple rust Significant Features: Principle value of species is the rich smelling wood which is used for chests, closets, etc.