Learn about the features and many uses of this hardwood tree.
Ecology
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, […]
April 2022 Tree of the Month: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)
By Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living One of the most beautiful trees native to Ohio is the Flowering Dogwood. Its lovely flowers withlarge white petals are a welcome harbinger of spring, even if the petals aren’t really petals. But first, another tree with white flowers makes its appearance in […]
Mistletoe Tree of the Month March 2022
By Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Occasionally the Tree of the Month article will feature topics related to, but not strictly about trees. Mistletoe would be an appropriate subject for the December issue, but I wanted to release this article before I lost touch with Daniel and Gigi, who […]
White Oak (Quercus alba): February (2022) Tree of the Month
Fascinating information about the great White Oak trees, by Mort Schmidt.
Discuss Path to a New Ecological Culture
This is a 4 week discussion course based on the 4-part article “The Path to an Ecological Future for Humanity.” The article links here. It is not necessary to read the article but it will be helpful. Week 1: The Cultural Creatives – a Third Force in the Radical MiddleWeek […]
Tree of the Month, January 2022, Oak (Quercus sp)
by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Oaks, the trees of the genus Quercus, are among the most important hardwood trees. There are approximately 500 species of oaks worldwide and a little under 100 in the United States, but they are found primarily in the northern hemisphere. Oaks provide a […]
Tree of the Month, Dec 2021 American Holly (Ilex opaca)
by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Holly has long been associated with the holiday seasons. In fact, the name “Holly” is derived from the word “holy” because of this association. Holly is primarily a southeastern tree, but its natural range does extend into the southernmost counties of Ohio. Left […]
The Path to an Ecological Future for Humanity (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of a longer essay by Chuck Lynd published in 4 parts on Medium.com. You can read the full essay here. Part 1. The Path to an Ecological Future for Humanity As Yogi Berra observed, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” We chuckle, but […]
Tree of the Month November 2021: Ohio Buckeye Aesculus Glabra
By Martin (Mort) Schmidt, for Simply Living The Ohio State University’s famous football coach, Woody Hayes, described the Buckeye as “a worthless nut”. And so it is. Nor does the wood have much value. But in November, as we’re winding up the football season, what better tree to honor than […]
October Tree of the Month: Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) by Mort Schmidt
Thanks to Mort Schmidt for this wonderful description of the Sugar Maple tree and its many uses.
September Tree of the Month: TREE OF HEAVEN
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissimus)by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living The latest Tree of the Month is a bad seed, if you’ll pardon the expression. If you’re someone who’s drawn to exotic beauties who are known troublemakers, Ailanthus altissima is the tree for you. Tree of heaven is native to China, […]
Simply Living relaunches Sustainable U
Following our mission to connect people to learning opportunities that promote sustainability, environmental justice, and our local economy, Simply Living is relaunching Sustainable U. This fall we will offer two discussion courses through EcoChallenge, formerly Northwest Earth Institute, a course through Local Futures, and three online courses from our members. Read on for more […]
August Tree of the Month: Eastern Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Cottonwood has alternate, simple leaves. In trees with alternate leaves (and branches), which describes most Ohio hardwoods, the leaves and branches are not attached directly across from each other, as shown in the image below. Simple leaves are distributed more […]
Action Alert: Tell Ohio legislators to oppose the sale of radioactive frack waste as “brine”
The Ohio General Assembly is considering two bills that would allow the commercial sale of fracking wastewater, misleadingly labeled as “brine.” We need your help in opposing Ohio House Bill 282 and Senate Bill 171 (Establish conditions for the sale of brine as a commodity) or any such bill that […]
Win a prize package of pastries by signing up for the Simply Living Annual Meeting!
There’s no better time than now to sign up for Simply Living’s Annual meeting. If you register by 11:50 p.m. this Friday, April 16, you will be entered in a raffle to win one of three prize packages that includes tasty pastries from Freedom a la Cart! The package also […]
Stratford Ecological Center
Nature | Stratford Ecological Center in southern Delaware County an eco-friendly oasis Naturalist Jim McCormac wrote about Stratford for the Columbus Dispatch on 4-4-2021. See excerpt below and read the full article here. Jim also writes about nature at www.jimmccormac.blogspot.com. Just northeast of Bunty Station and Liberty roads in southern […]
Simply Living Action Alert: Save Award-Winning Community Garden
One of our brightest community jewels is under attack. Kossuth Street Garden, winner of the Franklin Park Conservatory Growing to Green Award, sits on property recently purchased by a developer who wants to plow it under to build 10 houses.
Old Meets New with Solar Sheep
Innovative collaboration between solar farms and traditional grazing is developing and it works.