Spring is Here! (knock on wood)

Corylus americana

American Hazelnut

wakes up

after a very long winter.

Thoreau's Winter

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree,
or a yellow birch,
or an old acquaintance among the pines.
Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

Saving McHenry County Oak Groves

The Chicago Tribune article today highlights the efforts of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, McHenry County Conservation District, Glacier Oaks Nursery and Project Quercus.



McHenry County coalition works to return oaks to full splendor
In McHenry County, coalition taking steps to restore shrinking forests
By Carolyn Starks- Tribune staff reporter

"The oak saplings at Glacier Oaks Nursery in Harvard are bundled like children in a snowstorm inside warm tunnels that will help them thrive until spring. They may look fragile, but their spindly branches carry a heavy burden.

Conservationists are counting on these baby trees as a small step in helping assure that mighty oak forests remain rooted in McHenry County..."

Another article on Project Quercus in McHenry County appeared in the Northwest Herald, on 12/28/07.
'County's Oak Population Getting Bare'

The following is a breakdown of oak forest coverage in McHenry County by the year.
1838: 143,000 acres.
1872: 72,000 acres.
1939: 26,350 acres.
2005: 18,000 acres.

Winter

This month we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of 'making a difference'.

At Glacier Oaks, making a difference comes in the form of propagating and growing native plants used in woodland and savanna restoration, native and sustainable landscaping.

It may be cold outside (there is a wind chill of -15ºF) but we are busy inside planning our native plant propagation for our contract growing program. (inquire by calling Mary Tree at 815-482-7404).

See the Jan/Feb'08 issue of Chicagoland Gardening for our contribution entitled Chicagoland Natives - Native Plants to Attract Wildlife.

My Favorite Shrub- Sweetspire

Itea virginica- Sweetspire

• Native Shrub
• Fragrant white flower spikes in summer
• Glossy green leaves in summer
• Round arching shape
• Stems are purple red where exposed to sun
• Spectacular long lasting fall color is a blend of yellow, orange, crimson and maroon
• Adaptable shrub, tolerates dry or wet sites
• Relatively pest and disease free

'Henry's Garnet' is a hardy selection with the same attractive features of the species (4'x6')
We have 'Henry's Garnet' in 3G and 7G

Scarlet Beauty™ is a hardy Chicagoland Grows Selection with upright habit and scarlet fall color (4'x6')
We have Scarlet Beauty™ in 5G

Thinking Spring

Glacier Oaks Container material can be purchased wholesale through our sister company Beeson's McHenry County Nursery
To help you plan for future projects, call, or fax or email your plant lists for a quote.

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