My name is Lily Schaefer, and I am a college student at Ohio University, as well as an intern with Simply Living. I am working on this blog to further my knowledge and share my experience with eating as a vegetarian! If you have questions, or would like to chat, […]
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Native Plant Sale
The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District is holding their annual plant sale. I’ve planted over 100 trees from this source over the years and nearly all of them have thrived. Most of the trees are sold as bare-root saplings, which consist essentially of twigs with roots, packaged in bundles […]
Favorite Tree Websites
by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Photo by Mort Schmidt I’m often asked about my favorite tree books and websites. I have a good many favorites, so this month I’ll discuss my favorite tree websites and some later month I’ll discuss my favorite tree books. I’m old school – when […]
Simply Living Talks to ChatGPT
In case you haven’t heard, CHATGPT is a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) program. You can ask questions and get answers on almost any topic It is also interactive and allows for dialogue to pusue topics in depth. For example, I asked ChatGPT what it is and received this answer. What […]
Winter Tree ID
Mort Schmidt, author of the Tree of the Month articles, will co-lead a winter tree ID walk with park ranger Scott Felker at Three Creeks Metro Park on Sunday, January 22nd at 2 PM. We’ll meet at the Confluence Area as shown in the attached map. I’d love to see […]
Tree of the Month, January 2023
Baldcypress, Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Not all conifers are evergreens. We often use the terms interchangeably, but in fact some conifers lose their needles in winter, while some broadleaf trees, such as American Holly (Ilex opaca), keep their leaves in winter. As discussed […]
Tree of the Month, December 2022
One of the tallest conifers in the northeastern US, this useful, native tree has a fascinating history.
Stratford Ecological Center: Interview with April Hoy by Simply Living Interns Abby Esch and Kenedy Witherow
Last week, with my fellow intern, Kenedy, I got to sit down (virtually) and talk with April Hoy, about Stratford Ecological Center. April is the Education Director at Stratford, a working organic farm, state nature preserve, and non-profit organization that was started back in the early 1990s as a family-run […]
Tree of the Month, November 2022
White Ash, American Ash Fraxinus americana by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living White Ash is the stuff of baseball bats, and would be a good candidate for the ideal tree, especially when considering its wood. Harder than pine, softer than oak, ash is hard enough to wear well, but […]
Tree of the Month, October 2022
Eastern Hop Hornbeam, aka Hop Hornbeam, Ironwood Ostrya virginiana by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Eastern Hop Hornbeam is often overlooked today, but it was once an essential wood due to its considerable hardness. It’s often confused with two other understory trees, American Hornbeam – Ohio’s other “Ironwood”, and […]
September Tree of the Month 2022 Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Prunus Serotina by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living
Black Cherry wood is prized for its attractive color, but Cherry is surprisingly common in Ohioforests and most of the Eastern US. Black Cherry is not the tree used for pies and pastries, nor isit the cherry widely used in landscaping, known for its spring blossoms. But it does have […]
Southern Ohio Sustainable Haven: Blue Rock Station
After Anna Haught interned for Simply Living, her next adventure was Blue Rock Station. Enjoy her blog post describing her experience!
Sustainable September – Green: Bexley
Simply Living is a Co-Sponsor! Join us in Bexley! This September, we’re exploring the most impactful actions we can take to be more sustainable. Inspired by Project Drawdown and sponsored by the Bexley Community Foundation, Capital University, and Simply Living, we’re excited to learn alongside you and take action towards […]
August 2022 Tree of the Month – Common Hopwood, Wafer Ash Ptelea Trifoliata By Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living
This small tree is the New World’s northernmost member of the Rue (citrus) family. Once widely used for medicine, it’s too small for lumber and is useful only to wildlife and landscapers. But it’s very distinctive and interesting. The Common Hoptree’s compound leaves have alternately-arranged leaves with three leaflets, hence […]
Solarize aims to jump start residential solar in Central Ohio
If you have been thinking about going solar, now is the time to act. On Tuesday, July 12, a cohort of city and community groups including Simply Living launched the Columbus Area 2022 Solar and EV Charger Co-op through a program called Solarize. Check our Events Calendar for upcoming sessions. […]
Tree of the Month, July 2022
“Mimosa”, Persian Silk TreeAlbizia julibrissinby Martin (Mort) Schmidtfor Simply Living If you’re driving along a city street in July and notice a small tree with pink flowers, take a closer look — it might be a Persian Silk Tree, commonly known as “Mimosa”. As the name suggests, it is native to […]
Tree of the Month, June 2022 American Hornbeam aka Ironwood, Blue Beech, Water Beech, Muscle Wood (Carpinus caroliniana)
Learn about the features and many uses of this hardwood tree.
Clintonville House Share Available (Jenny Sieck)
Simply Living member Jenny Sieck is looking for a housemate for her beautiful Clintonville half double with off street parking. You would have access to all the common areas. I have a cat and a bunny. I am open to you having a pet but they’d have to get along. […]
Standing with youth who are standing for climate
On April 20 the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University organized an Earth Day event called Time to Act on Climate Change. On tap was a long list of distinguished speakers including university President Kristina Johnson, slated to receive the Chadwick Award for efforts to address […]
Tree of the Month May 2022 Boxelder (Acer negundo)
by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Boxelder is the Rodney Dangerfield of Ohio maples; It don’t get no respect. Unlike the October 2021 Tree of the Month, Sugar Maple, Boxelder’s weed-like growth and weak wood make it unloved for landscaping or lumber. Boxelder can be tapped for maple syrup, […]