Let the Oaktober Celebrations Begin!

Click here to read about Oaktober Proclamation and Specials!

Visit Glacier Oaks Newsletter Archives Page
to get Specials • click here!

April Showers bring life to Earth and Arbor

Prince Ea, recites important message 
to all of us on this 
International Earth and Arbor Month.  
Click here to see the necessary nature of trees...

Trees  

Living Tree Educational Foundation

"Trees are at the heart of all the 
important issues of our time: 
ecological, economic, social, and spiritual. 
They are the basis upon which 
human life and civilization stand, 
and they are absolutely crucial 
for our survival and prosperity."

We are undeniably creatures of the Earth, whose fate and future is utterly dependent on the well-being of the whole web into which we are woven.   Ann O'Hara Graff

Watch

the
Oaks of McHenry County
a film
by Artland Story Group

click here! 

View our PAST ISSUES

Email Marketing by Constant Contact®

January 2015

Fall Equinox reminds us we are part of a system of life. 

Fall Equinox

Most of us in the green industry are aware of how weather affects our growing and planting.  Climate change is like putting weather on steroids.  Our growing zones are changing on the extreme ends.  Climate change doesn't mean we can plant southern plants in the north.  It means colder winters, hotter summers, and more unpredictable weather events.  It means that the genetics of existing trees in our growing zone hold the secrets and the keys to the continued survival of native plants in our area.  Native plants are so important because they support everything we depend on for life (pollination, water and air purification, energy conservation, carbon reduction, just to mention a few). 

The most efficient "climate adaptable plant" nature provides, produces seed in its area of origin.  The seedlings it produces will have a plethora of new adaptive strategies, if we would just let them.

There are plenty of places where we have so destroyed the natural soils and drainage and habitat, that maybe only a hardy, sterile, ornamental plant can survive.  There will always be a place for beauty and ornamentation in horticulture, our man-made landscapes, gardening and plant breeding.

We best not forget though, that its the native plants that do the heavy lifting.

Here are some terrific links to learn more about climate change and growing for the future.

Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy

Explore the USFS Climate Change Tree Atlas

Gardening with Climate Change in Mind

Learn more at the Creating Harmony with Native Landscapes Conference

See what local organizations are doing The Land Conservancy of McHenry County and McHenry County Conservation District and Chicago Wilderness and The Morton Arboretum

 

 

Scenes from Summer slip into Fall

September 2014

Transplanted evergreens  

watered and rainbowed into their  

new growing field.

We have old world clay loam soils 

perfect for growing for the future.

September's Baccalaureate 

by Emily Dickinson 

challenges the heart and the mind 

to slow down and observe the quieting of the season.

 

September's Baccalaureate

a combination is

of Crickets -- Crows-- and Retrospects

and a dissembling Breeze

That hints without assuming --

An Innuendo sear

That makes the Heart put up its Fun

And turn Philosopher.

July 2014

It's finally here...

Summer digging in progress!

Glacier Oaks Nursery morning view of plant health care in progress.

Sun and rain at work!

Summer's blooming,

skies are booming
with clouds and sun and rain.

Plants are growing and without knowing
give us nature's gifts again.