Free Tree Seedlings North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins

Earth Day Tour Continues
Free Tree Seedlings in 
North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins

One free seedling to everyone that shows up. If you want more we will have more at just $1.00 each.

Muddy Mark will have the Oxygen Grows On Trees t-shirts. read more
Tell Muddy that Peter sent you and you will get a deal. And yes Peter if I sell 10 shirts on the tour you will get one free!

The inlaws of Muddy came to visit again this year. How wonderful. This is the second year we have been involved in the handing out of free tree seedlings in Sault Ste Marie.  Last year Earth Day read more.

CTV Regional commercial watch now
CTV Timmins commercial watch now

Birch Bonsai Ready for Winter

Fall is in the air.

We have had some snow and the leaves have fallen from my white birch. Now I have to make sure it is prepared for the winter.

I have given it fertilizer and it is well watered. It will have to dry down a little to ensure it will not have root rot during the winter.

I usually just put the trees beside the house and cover them in snow. The roots will stay insulated and will not freeze to the -40C temperatures we will have.

This little tree had been in the greenhouse for one year and in a pot for 2 years before that. Next year I hope the bark will start to turn white, just like a mature white birch.

I think I have shaped the tree well and will have to continue the shaping next year.

Think I will get a couple more of these going next year. The yellow birch growing in the greenhouse have become too big too fast to make into bonsai, but they are in great shape to be planted out next spring!

You can always get your own trees to bonsai from the green house. Here is a site I found with some more info., but there is loads of info on the net.

Sudbury is getting Greener - Slowly

Recently I was in Sudbury for a Saturday night, and a Friday night too. I was there for a Regional Local Citizen Committee Conference.

Our field tour on Friday afternoon was to look at the regreening of Sudbury.

Many years ago the mining of Sudbury metals created a ring of destruction around the mining complexes due to pollution coming from the mills.

Since the 1980's the regreening efforts have taken barren lands that could not grow anything and created lands capable of supporting vegetation. It will be many more years before the forest return the Sudbury basin, but at least the effort is being put forward.

Pictured below is what the ground has looked like over the last 50 years with nothing growing except some poor white birch and some mosses. Other picture is of ground that has had lime added to reduce the acid, seeded to grasses and clover and fertilized, then finally trees planted.

The white pine seem to be doing really well on the site. I hope over the long term the area is able to recover to again produce great trees that will create oxygen for all of us!

Do you want to plant your own tree or purchase a tree that will produce oxygen.

Timmins Naturalists and Observations Page

Earth Day 2009 Timmins, Ontario

The Business of Earth Day

Two locally owned businesses come together to help our earth

Timmins, ON (April. 20, 2009) – Days Inn & Conference Centre - Timmins is pleased to announce the implementation of an employee awareness program based on the Natural Resources Canada Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC). This program will encourage staff to maximize efficiency by enhancing energy performance while reducing operating costs in the workplace.

On April 22, to help raise awareness for Earth Day and coincide with the launch of its employee awareness program, the team at Days Inn & Conference Centre - Timmins will be giving all guests and dining room patrons a tree of their very own. Mark Joron of  Millson Forestry Service states that they “ have supplied white pine (Ontario’s Arboreal Emblem) tree seedlings today, these trees are similar to the “oxygen trees” planted”.

Days Inn & Conference Centre - Timmins has also joined forces with Millson Forestry Service who will be planting a tree for every two guest rooms sold during the month of May. “We are pleased to be partnering with Millson Forestry Service and are dedicated to raising awareness for this great cause,” said Carmen Swartz, Operations Manager, Days Inn & Conference Centre - Timmins. “Together we are stepping up to the challenge and will work hand-in-hand with Millson Forestry Service to help the environment.”  

For Millson Forestry Service, Earth Day is everyday.  To celebrate Earth Day Millson Forestry Service is offering a two for one special until April 28th.  When purchasing an oxygen tree you will receive a certificate indicating that two trees were planted for you, your friends, your family or client.

It was last year on Earth Day that Millson launched it’s new website and webstore. “I know that people from all over the world are looking at the site every day” said Mark Joron. “ You can buy seedlings, cones, burls, essential oils, birch bark and now firewood”.

In support of the employee awareness program, the Days Inn Timmins has been retrofitted with energy efficient lighting, launched an internal recycling program and installed waterless urinals in the men’s restrooms. Ceramic mugs have also been provided to all staff in order to reduce the usage of disposable cups.

For further information please contact:

Mark Joron

Forest Technologist

Millson Forestry Service

Tel: (705) 264-3426

email: info@millsonforestry.com

OR

Carmen Swartz

Operations Manager

Days Inn & Conference Centre - Timmins

Tel: (705) 267-6211

Email: carmen@daysinntimmins.ca 

Crafty wood products

I can make one of these for you!

If you want a piece of cedar painted green with a couple of holes drilled in it I will do this for you, and and i will do it for half of the $160.00 price tag on the one I saw in the magazine. Just tell me how green and how long you want it.

A stick stuck in a piece of wood, I can do this too! I will do this at least then half price. $225 to paint a branch and stick a couple of candle holders on it. I can do that!

What else made from wood would you like to see me make. I will be busy this summer working on these product, but who will buy???

Hollow White Birch - What is it good for?

Solid birch stem that is hollow due to rot. What is it good for? What can you do with them?

You have seen the pictures I have of birch bark with all the wood rotted out. The birch bark has natural oils and chemicals to preserve the bark from rotting. In the case of these pieces of white birch the rot has started in the base of the stem of the tree and rots from the ground up.

What is created I call a "culvert" Cedar and spruce can also produce these culverts.

So what are they good for.

Number 1 - they make great natural growing pots. Last summer two very large "culverts' were bought to plant trees in for a Grand Opening. A bottom can be put on them to be used indoors, or just put them on the ground to give elevation to some of your plants. Sit on the patio and plant a tree in it.

Number 2 - a great natural table leg. One would be wonderful with a glass top sitting in the living room. Two beside each other with a glass top would be twice as good.

Number 3 -stand it up and frame something special. You will have to stop it from rolling, but sit it on a shelf or a piece of furniture and let it frame that special something you have. I have tipped one up and and placed some of my natural treasures inside. I have a turtle shell, natural bored rock, and arrowheads that would look nice displayed in the hollow birch.

Number 4 - I think it would make the nice face to a clock.

When I get a chance I will get more pictures of them close up and put them on the Muddy Mark webstore.

Can you think of other uses?

Muddys' Emporium

How to make a white birch culvert - just wait.

Birch Bark rots at a slower rate then the wood wrapped inside. It is the wax and special chemicals in the bark. I have a link below if you want to read more.

I found this very old white birch tree, long time rotting , yet still standing at the base. I pushed it over and rolled it around a little. The bark mostly stayed intact and all the totally rotted wood fell out.

It is a natural culvert, or a great decoration piece. I hauled it back to the office and will put it up on the webstore. I know a gal who has a similar piece in her front entrance. Looks great! This one is taller and the bark more intact.

Talking about the webstore - got a call today about the bear jaw for sale on the "Muddy Mark's" part of the webstore. Turns out it is illegal ! Guess I will not be doing that again.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/specializations/environment/components/birchbark2.html