A “moon tree” American sycamore stands outside the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The tree was planted in 1977. Photo: Jay Friedlander
Read about some good news for Maryland forests, and the promising future of a new woodland stewardship tool. There's information about how to sign up for our popular "The Woods in Your Backyard" online course, and how to find a licensed tree expert for your property. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the American sycamore, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the paper mulberry. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
Good News Among the Challenges
Andrew A. Kling, Branching Out editor
Without a doubt, Maryland’s woodlands face an increasing number of challenges. But it is also important to recognize the good news among the less-than-good.
The Fall Session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” Online Course has been postponed
The Fall 2025 session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course has been postponed due to low enrollment. Paid participants will be contacted with additional details.
Learn more about the course itself at the link below.
Always Verify Tree Service Contractor Credentials
Maryland homeowners need to know the proper steps to take when hiring tree removal companies to clear damaged and downed trees, limbs, and branches. . Only Maryland Licensed Tree Experts (LTEs) should be hired to trim branches and remove damaged and downed trees – they are the only tree care professionals who lawfully can perform this work in Maryland.
Native Trees of Maryland: American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis
Daniel Pratson
The American sycamore is native to a broad portion of the Middle and Eastern portions of North America. Sycamore trees are most often found in low-lying, riparian areas across Maryland, although they are also common pioneer hardwood species in abandoned fields and mining sites. They tend to persist through most successional stages and are often present in mature, “climax” forests, given their ability to live around 200-500 years.
News and Notes
In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: Threatened bobwhite quail return to restored habitat in Wicomico County; Garrett College is now home to two historic seedlings; how to report sightings of beech leaf disease; and the 2025 American chestnut photo contest is now open.
Woody biochar: A promising stewardship tool for Maryland's trees and forests
Daniel Pratson
Over the past few months, I have received several phone calls from residents across the state who share a similar problem: they have large trees in their yards that need to be trimmed or removed, yet they do not want the wood to go to waste. Is there any productive use for the woody material that will come from their trees? The product from a relatively simple process may be an answer.
Invasives in Your Woodland: Paper Mulberry
Originally native to eastern Asia, the paper mulberry bark has long been valued for making paper and cloth. But it was valued for its rapid growth and aesthetic qualities and was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900s as a fast-growing ornamental shade tree. Over time, it was planted widely in urban and suburban landscapes; however, it escaped cultivation and began to colonize natural areas.
This issue's Brain Tickler...
For this issue, we travel back to the early days of the World Wide Web. What was the website address (URL) of the first website for this program that debuted in 2001?
We have a correct answer! Read the answer in our Fall issue!
Last issue we asked about how two dates (May 2, 1941 and June 6, 2002) are connected in Maryland forest history. The answer is the Wye Oak: it was declared the Maryland tree on the 1941 date, and was toppled in a storm in 2002. Congratulations to Fred Dickinson and several others for their correct answers.
Events Calendar
August 25, 2025, 7:30—8:45 PM
The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi for Tree Propagation
Online
Presented by the Maryland Native Plant Society and co-sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension. Tree propagation is a major component of many restoration and conservation projects. As research shows, mycorrhizal fungi are key to the success of this crucial work. In this talk, Dr. Adriana Corrales will explain the importance of mycorrhizal fungi for native plant propagation. For more information and how to register, visit https://www.mdflora.org/event-6190921
October 22-25, 2025
Society of American Foresters National Convention
Hartford CT
Celebrate 125 years of professional forestry in the United States during our annual conference, themed "From Roots to Canopy: 125 Years of Forestry and Natural Resources." This event will bring together foresters, researchers, and policymakers, to reflect on the rich history of forestry, share current advancements, and look ahead to the future of sustainable forest management. Visit https://eforester.org/Safconvention2025 for more information.
November 7-9, 2025
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Chesapeake Watershed Forum
National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown WV
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s 20th Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum, is a watershed-wide event reaching over 400 restoration and protection practitioners to inspire and empower local action towards clean water. We share successful tools and techniques, offer lessons and learnings from on-the-ground work, build capacities of local organizations, foster partnerships, educate on new initiatives and emerging practices, network with others, and celebrate our successes. Learn more and register here.
Branching Out, Vol. 33, no. 3 (Summer 2025)
Branching Out is the free, quarterly newsletter of the Woodland Stewardship Education program. For more than 30 years, Branching Out has kept Maryland woodland owners and managers informed about ways to develop and enhance their natural areas, how to identify and control invasive plants and insects, and about news and regional online and in-person events.
