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Ever wonder what these holes may be? Sapsuckers are the most likely culprit. 

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  Tree Carving:    A common practice meant to be a visible statement of your love for each other is not as innocent as you may have thought. I took this photo of some Beech (Fagus spp.) trees in the New York Botanical Garden last fall. In front them a plaque reads:“Carving Harms Trees… Trees are living things and their bark is like our skin. Though it may seem harmless, carving into the bark damages the tree’s defensive barrier, creating openings for deadly infections and pest infestations. Very deep cuts can even damage the xylem and phloem, plant tissues that transport water...

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  I attended a lecture on oysters at the Brooklyn Historical Society yesterday evening! It was great to see just how much work is being put into replenishing our local population, as well as how important these bivalves are to the health of New York City's waters.    I definitely want to direct you to check out the speakers who joined in on the discussion, which was mediated by the VP for Curatorial Affairs at Brooklyn Historical Society, Julie Golia.    Ann Fraioli, is the Director of Education for the Billion Oyster Project. They hope to meet their goal of...

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So what is an “herb” exactly? Well, I think renowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar put it best when she described an herb as “any plant that can be used in healing”. This includes vegetables, flowers, shrubs, trees and their fruits and berries, nuts, bark, roots, seeds, and leaves, as well as seaweed, algae, and mosses, and even non-plants like mushrooms!

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