v olume III
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O n ce th ere wa s a tree... A n d th e tree wa s ha p py … bu t n o t really. –Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree
Co v er artwork by Ter re n ce W i mbe rl y
American chestnut (Castanea dentata)
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W
hile on a weekend hike in the Smoky Mountains, I read American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree. American chestnuts grew quickly, with thick, straight trunks that topped the canopy at 80 feet or more, providing habitat and nourishment for nearly every living creature in their proximity, including humans. Its strong, rot-resistant trunks made for excellent building material, and its nourishing nuts could fatten hogs and cattle. In 1904, a devastating blight entered the United States, killing most of the chestnut trees. Their wood was so valuable, the carcasses continued to be logged and scavenged for decades.
The now-abandoned Century Plaza, once majestic and enchanted woodlands; the eroded ditch along Crestwood Blvd, once a clear stream; the whole of Red Mountain covered in American chestnut, snowy white in late spring; Shades Valley along I-20, once rich with blooms of cardinal flower and blue lobelia, now covered in kudzu and mimosa. I imagine an unfragmented landscape, where wildlife stalk their prey from the Cahaba to the Black Warrior rivers unfettered. In my lifetime, I will never see Ruffner Mountain covered in American chestnut and longleaf pine. I will never wonder if the red wolf is roaming the sandstone ridges, making its den.
The American chestnut gave all it had, and we took the rest. Understanding the loss of the American chestnut, for me, meant understanding a classic, yet controversial children’s story, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. If you have not read The Giving Tree as an adult, I encourage you to do so. You will find a copy of the manuscript in the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. Stop by anytime. At 33, it made me cry. It made me question.
Donating to Ruffner Mountain will not save the tri-colored bat, it will not ensure the kingsnake reigns, or preserve the Alabama larkspur. Donating will not save any of those things, but it will help support the place that you already love, that you already visit. We cannot change the past. We can, however, build a future that protects and values the natural world so that in 50 years’ time, a child may get the chance to know the green ash tree, to touch the warty bark of a hackberry, and to hunt the mythical pawpaw fruit in late August, and maybe, one day, see the American chestnut growing on Ruffner Mountain once more.
These days, I find myself trying to imagine Birmingham, all of Jefferson County—Jones Valley, Shades Valley, Oxmoor Valley, the Little Cahaba, Turkey Creek, and the whole ridge of Red Mountain—as it was, the place that I call home: Carlee Sanford Executive Director
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THE WORLD OF THE TREE CROWN
Spiders, caterpillars, moths, beetles, tree frogs, snakes, hawks, owls, songbirds, flying squirrels, and opossums can all be found in the crown. The upper section of the tree includes the branches and leaves. Crowns combine to form the photophilic forest canopy.
TRUNK AND OFFďšş GROUND CAVITIES
Lichens, mosses, turkey tail mushroom, resurrection fern, lizards, and an almost infinite variety of insects gather nutrients or otherwise make their home in this section of the tree. Within the trunk, the phloem acts as a sort of highway, carrying sugars from the leaves to the rest of the tree. Farther in, the xylem shuttles water and nutrients up and down the tree.
SNAG
A standing dead or dying tree, snags comprise 10% to 20% of all trees in old-growth tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. Squirrels, raccoons, hawks, egrets, kingfishers, and other wildlife have been known to use snags as nests, nurseries, storage areas, and for foraging, roosting, and perching.
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A rt w o rk by Jo n Wo o l l e y
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BASE AND BASAL CAVITIES
Chipmunks, groundhogs, mice, bumblebees, and rabbits often live in cavities at the base of the tree or among the roots. The base of the tree accumulates the leaf litter that is so essential for many insects, snails, and amphibians.
ROOTS
Cicada larvae feed on roots, and fungi live in and on root cells, thereby assisting in the absorption of water and nutrients. In return, the fungi receive nutrients from the tree. The root system of most trees extends outward in a regular pattern and can be up to two to three times larger than the crown area. This wide base provides crucial stability and support for all the parts of the tree that we can see.
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BIRMINGHAM’S LIVING CANOPY The Benefits of Trees At approximately 1,040 acres of ridges and valleys within the City of Birmingham, Ruffner Mountain is a classic example of an island ecosystem. We like to think it can be exemplary as an urban but still natural habitat where one can actually feel the benefits of forests. Our trees, and the tree canopy especially, have deep and daily impacts on our lives, whether we consciously realize it or not. Just imagine, for a moment, if every tree in the Magic City was to suddenly disappear. Surely we would feel the effects, if only because things would heat up rather quickly. The benefits of Birmingham’s urban tree canopy are numerous, and include improved water quality due to decreased erosion and runoff, carbon sequestration and improved air quality, lower temperatures and, in turn, increased energy efficiency city-wide, more wildlife habitat, higher biodiversity, less ambient noise, stress reduction from exposure to the natural world, and some studies suggest that more trees can even help to lower the crime rate.
A breathable, liveable, beautiful city. And while Ruffner Mountain’s tree canopy makes up only 5.7% of the total area of both the upper Village Creek and upper Shades Creek watersheds, it comprises 34.4% of their forest cover. This translates to less stormwater runoff, less pollution, and cleaner, drinkable water. Restoring the Canopy For the better part of 2018, Ruffner Mountain has been working as a collaborative partner on the Upper Village Creek Tree Canopy Restoration Project. The Upper Village Creek Tree Canopy Restoration Project is a funding recipient of Gulf Power and Southern Company through their National Fish and Wildlife Foundation partnership. Partners for this project include: The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, Cawaco RC&D Council, Village Creek Society, The City of Birmingham Stormwater Department, and Ruffner Mountain. This city-wide project proposes restoration activities for approximately 1,000 linear feet of Village Creek, and it involves restoration
On Ruffner Mountain, an estimated 268,000 trees make up a tree canopy that covers 76.3% of the mountain. This living roof and habitat for millions of organisms stores 17,600 metric tons of carbon each year at a value of $357,000, and it sequesters 1,020 metric tons of carbon at a value of $20,700 annually. What does this mean for you? While Ruffner Mountain’s tree canopy makes up only 6
5.7% of the total area of the upper Village Creek and upper Shades Creek watersheds, it comprises 34.4% of their forest cover.
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The most common trees species at Ruffner are sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), and American elm (Ulmus americana).
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The reproductive process and subsequent developmental period for young ash borers is a fascinating, yet destructive one. Females lay their eggs beneath flaps of bark or in crevices, and when the countless larvae hatch in An estimated 268,000 trees make up a tree canopy mid-summer, they burrow (or that covers 76.3% of Ruffner Mountain. bore) their way inward to the bark layer called the phloem. efforts for the tree canopy to enhance air and water quality in There, they feed for weeks, creating tunnels called “galleries.” this urban watershed. The Restoration Plan includes removal of These tunnels disrupt the tree’s ability to transport moisture and invasive species such as privet and mimosa in East Lake Park and nutrients up and down the trunk, and the canopy begins to wither. helping to restore the tree canopy with a diverse selection of Eventually the entire tree falls prey to this extremely efficient native trees. Overall, this restoration effort will enhance air and invasive species. water quality in a vitally important urban watershed. The Village Creek watershed is the focus of the first in a series of urban watershed Ruffner Mountain is currently working to remove any dead studies planned by the City of Birmingham. or dying trees affected by the emerald ash borer, and in the future, hopes to expand the trap program begun by individuals Invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer who have set up boxes to trap beetles—the emerald ash borer In addition to the work on the upper Village Creek, the Nature especially—at East Lake Park and along Village Creek. Clearly, Conservancy is using the forest analysis software iTree to assess reducing invasive species and maintaining biodiversity through all trees at East Lake Park, provide evaluation of trees, and detail native planting is as important as ever in protecting and growing the many benefits they provide. This survey and research has the tree canopy of Birmingham. found that 80% to 90% of trees in East Lake Park are green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). The shocking fact is that, because of Emerald Ash Borer Blight, all of these trees will likely be dead in five to ten years’ time. But how? The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an Asian beetle that was first identified in Detroit in 2002, and since then it has spread and become the single most destructive forest insect to ever invade the United States. These tiny, bright green creatures use ash trees to reproduce, and, as a result, pose a grave threat to green ash populations. 7
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FIND THE RIGHT TREE FOR YOUR YARD Take a “tour” of our g reenhouse and find the right tree for you. 1
LONGLEAF PINE
WHITE OAK
(Pi nus pa l ustri s)
( Qu e rc u s al ba)
This evergreen keeps its foliage year-round, providing shade as well as food and cover for wildlife, including squirrels, quail, brown-headed nuthatches, turkeys, and the now-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Legendary among Southern flora.
A large canopy makes this a perfect shade tree, and in the fall it turns a striking shade of burgundy. The acorns are a great source of food for wildlife and are gathered, hoarded, and eaten by birds, deer, and rodents.
spre ad
Open, dry habitats; sand ridges; coastal plains; Piedmont Plateau; Valley and Ridge Province
Mesic to dry woods; warm, southwest slopes; rocky hillsides; dry upland slopes to well drained loam in bottomlands
g ro wth rate
Sun, Part Shade
Sun, Part Shade
at t ri bu t e s
Alkaline, loamy, rich and clay soils; it is drought-tolerant once established
Slightly acidic to neutral, deep, moist, welldrained soil; tolerates moderate drought
60-100 ft
60-100 ft
30-40 ft
50-90 ft
Medium to fast; 13" to more than 24" per year with a new level of branches added each year
Slow; 12-14" per year
Flexible green needles up to 18” long; produces 6-10" long cones
Produces acorns annually; catkins 2-4" long; leaves turn burgundy in fall
Provides food and cover for wildlife, including squirrels, quail, brown-headed nuthatches, turkeys, and the now-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis)
Acorns are gathered, hoarded, and eaten by birds, deer, and rodents; attracts butterflies and is a larval host for Edwards’ hairstreak (Satyrium edwarsii) and many Lepidoptera species
SYMBOL KEY nativ e habi t at su n pre fe re n c e so i l pre fe re n c e he i g ht
wildlife
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Artwork by Jon Wo o l l e y
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3
SOUTHERN RED OAK
4
EASTERN REDBUD
5
BLACKGUM
(Querc us falc at a)
(Cerci s can ade n si s)
( N y ssa sy l v at i c a)
Great for shade or near the street, this deciduous tree is winter hardy and tolerates brief flooding. It provides food and cover for mammals, rodents, deer, and serves as a nesting site and food source for birds.
Known as the harbinger of spring and featuring one of the season’s most dramatic displays, its flowers bloom in a profusion of pink, making it a bold addition to any yard or landscape. A great attractor of early-season butterflies and native birds.
This shade tree is a big draw for native wildlife, featuring blooms that serve as a rich nectar source for pollinators and berries as a food source for birds and mammals. It also provides cavity and nesting sites for a variety of birds and mammals.
Dry upland sites of sandy or clay loam throughout the southeastern United States
Open woods and woodland margins; rocky stream banks and bluffs; limestone glades
Low, wet woods; drier, sandy sites
Part Shade
Sun, Part Shade
Sun, Part Shade
Sandy, loamy or clay soils
Acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils
Acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soils
60-80 ft
15-30 ft
30-50 ft
60-70 ft
15-30 ft
20-30 ft
Medium; 13-24" per year
Medium; 13-24" per year
Slow to medium; less than 12-24" per year
Produces acorns biennially; leaves turn reddish-brown in fall
Showy display of pink flowers in tight clusters; yields 2-3" brownish-black pods in winter
Leaves turn bright scarlet in fall; Produces small, blue berries; Very small greenishwhite flowers form in clusters at the top of a long stalk
Provides food and cover for mammals, rodents, and deer, and serves as a nesting site and food source for birds; attracts butterflies and is a larval host for the banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) and white M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Blooms attract nectar-seeking instects and songbirds eat the seeds; provides nesting materials and serves as a nesting site for birds; provides shelter for mammals
Berries are a favorite of birds and serve as an important food source for birds migrating in fall; provides cavity and nesting sites for squirrels, raccoons, and opossums; flower clusters attract native pollinators
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Alabama is in the 7, 8 and 9 USDA plant hardi n e ss zo n e s.
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BLACK CHERRY
(Pr unus sero ti n a)
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PERSIMMON
( D i o sp y ro s v i r gi n i an a)
Handsome in spring, summer, and fall, this is one of When mature, the fruit of the persimmon may the larger members of the cherry family and a great be eaten right off the tree. Even in winter, its habitat for birds. A fine landscaping addition. distinctive gray bark, in its block-like pattern, sets it apart in any landscape.
O n av e ra ge, A l abama has a pprox i m at e l y 185 days be t w e e n t he l ast an d f i rst f ro st .
Ty pi c al l y, t he be st t i me t o pl ant t rees an d shr u bs he re i s between September and November.*
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Moist or dry, open woods; fence rows; roadsides; old fields
Dry woods; old fields; clearings
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Part Shade
Well-drained soils; pH preference depends on variety and region
Variable, growing best in moist, rich soil
50-80 ft
15-60 ft
30-60 ft
10-35 ft
Fast; 12-24" or more per year
Medium; 13-24" per year
Aromatic; edible fruit can be pitted and eaten raw or used in jellies, jams, and pies; leaves turn yellow to red in fall; racemes of small, white flowers give rise to edible reddish-black berries
Sweet, orange edible fruit in fall; fragrant, white to greenish-yellow flowers bloom in late spring
Fruit is consumed by a wide variety of bird and mammal species, as well as some insects; attracts moths and butterflies and is a larval host for many species, including the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), viceroy (Limenitis archippus), promethea moth (Callosamia promethea), and banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris)
Fruit provides a food source to birds and mammals including opossums, raccoons, skunks, and deer; flowers attract pollinators; hosts the luna moth (Actias luna)
*Source: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
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SOUTHERN PECAN
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RED MAPLE
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SHAGBARK HICKORY
(Car ya illino i nensi s)
(Acer r u br u m)
( C ar ya o vat a)
Known across the South for the nuts it produces, when mature the southern pecan can be a downright imperial presence in the yard or landscape.
This tree will bring beauty and aesthetic interest to any yard or garden, with its explosive red color in autumn, red buds in winter, red flowers in spring, and red leafstalks in summer.
This tree is known for its hardy wood and “shaggy� bark, making it particularly valuable to native bats. It provides food and cover to a variety of birds and mammals.
Wooded bottomlands; stream banks
Moist soils along stream banks; moist to drier woodlands
Shaded woods; river banks and bottoms; swamps; flood plains and wet bottomlands; rocky hillsides and limestone outcrops
Sun
Sun, Part Shade
Sun
Rich, moist, well-drained soils
Moist, slightly acidic soils
Well-drained, fertile soils
70-120 ft
40-60 ft
60-100 ft
40-70 ft
30-50 ft
25-50 ft
Fast; 12-24" or more per year
Medium to fast; 13" to more than 24" per year
Slow; less than 12" per year
Largest of the hickories; edible nuts can be collected when ripe in fall and, after removing the husk, can be eaten raw or used in cooking
Red clusters of small flowers Produces large nut; develops a thick, shaggy bark, winter to spring; decorative with ends curving outward red, two-winged samaras; Leaves turn red to yellow in fall
Nuts provide a food source to a wide range of insects, birds, and mammals; attracts butterflies and is a larval host for the gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Fruits (samaras) provide food Provides cavity and nesting sites for birds and bats; for squirrels and other small nuts are a food source for squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, mammals; rabbits and deer eat rabbits, ducks, and turkeys. the tender shoots and leaves; larval host for the cecropia moth (Hyalaphora cecropia); attracts several other moths as a place to lay their eggs
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LONGLEAF PINE (Pinus palustris) 1
3
2
WHITE OAK
SOUTHERN RED OAK
(Quercus alba)
(Quercus falcata)
7
PERSIMMON (Diosp yros vir giniana) 6
BLACK CHERRY 12
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(Pr unus serotina)
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BLACKGUM (Nyssa sylvatica) 5
EASTERN REDBUD
4
(Cercis canadensis) 9
RED MAPLE (Acer r ubr um)
SHAGBARK HICKORY
10
(Car ya ovata)
8
SOUTHERN PECAN (Car ya illinoinensis)
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HOW TO PLANT YOUR TREE A fe w planting tips from our Conser vation Director, Jamie Nobles
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Make sure the tree is in the right place for that particular species.
2
Prepare the planting hole. (a happy tree is a friend for life)
(a well-placed tree is a happy tree)
Dig your hole at least two times wider than the container the plant is in, but no deeper than the bottom of the roots to the top of the soil in the container.
For instance, trees are not recommended under power lines, utility right-of-ways, or other areas in which they may cause issues or have to be cut down later.
Be sure not to plant your tree too deep as you typically want to have the base of the tree at least slightly above the grade of the ground.
Find a good space in your yard, garden, or landscape and plant it.
14 Artwork by Jon Wo o l l e y
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Prepare your tree. (trees love being g roomed) Shake out or wash most of the potting soil from the root structure before putting it in the ground, then use the native soils from your digging to plant the tree. You can use the potting soil as top dressing on the planting site as it could contain beneficial microbes and minerals.
4
Water your newly planted tree. (keep that tree happy) Water the newly planted tree by soaking the ground around the trunk and roots allowing water to run into the loosened soil until it is visibly drenched. The most efficient way to water most plants is to water the base and not the leaves. While leaves can absorb water, the majority of moisture is taken up by the root system.
Now, watch the weather... (or, the slightly more complicated step) Water at least once a week for the first three to four weeks after planting. If it has not rained or temperatures are above 70° F, additional watering may be necessary. After the first month in the ground, monitor the soil moisture around the roots and if it seems dry or temperatures are still high, then water and drench the soil. Be careful not to overwater.
Happy tree planting!
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A STORY OF LONGLEAF PINE “We f i n d o u r s el ves o n th e en tr a n c e o f a va st p lain which ex tends west six ty or seventy miles... T h i s p l a i n i s m o s tl y a fo res t o f th e g reat l o n g-leaved pine, the earth covered with g rass, inter s p er s ed wi th a n i n f i n i te va r i ety o f h er b aceous plants, and embellished wit h ex tensive savan n as, always g ree n , sp a rk l i n g w i th p o n d s of water...” –William Bartram, 1791 Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia,...
What is Longleaf Pine?
Pinus palustris—also known as longleaf pine—translates from the Latin as “pine of the marsh,” or “swamp pine”, a mistake in designation, oddly enough, and the result of English botanist Phillip Miller’s first encountering the species during temporary winter flooding in Georgia. The name stuck. The early grass stage of a longleaf sapling can last three to 15 years, and it is in this crucial nascent period that it sets itself apart from its peers. Instead of immediately beginning to grow upward, the longleaf remains low to the ground while sending forth roots and establishing a strong taproot to reach downward toward moisture. If it weren’t for this extraordinarily deep taproot, the longleaf would not be able to withstand the intense forest fires and prescribed burns that actually help it to grow and reproduce. Once tapped in to a water source, Pinus palustris is ready to shoot skyward, and indeed the longleaf grows remarkably fast compared to most trees species. 90 million acres of this forest sentinel once spanned the whole of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, and even the uplands of Alabama and Georgia, covering an area comparable to that of the state of Montana. Unlike many other Southern species of tree, the longleaf pine is wonderfully resistant to fire, and even thrives in its presence. A mature longleaf produces resins and oils that make their needles extremely flammable.
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A long leaf pine in the tu f t or g rass stage
A mature montane long leaf pine (Pinus pa lustris)
L ong leaf pine featu res f lexible g reen needles up to 18" in length
Artwork by A n n a Zo l adz
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and other species of tree or shrub that may compete with the longleaf for sunlight. Fire also makes way for turkeys and other native fauna that lead to increased biodiversity and healthier forests. Prescribed burns in particular can be extremely effective in mitigating the effects of the longleaf sapling’s arch-enemy, brown spot needle blight (Scirrhia acicola), which kills the needles of young longleaf pines while they are establishing their deeper, fire-resistant roots.
Reforestation at Ruffner Mountain
Since 2007, Ruffner Mountain has made efforts to preserve and propagate longleaf pine on its property, removing invasive plant species such as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonicum) and mimosa (Albizia julibrizzin). In the absence of fire, methods for invasive removal include the use of hand tools and hand pulling, among others.
Where Did They Go?
Southern economies flourished on the harvest and sale of longleaf timber and its resins used in the production of oils, tar, pitch, turpentine, and rosin. By the late 18th century the Industrial Revolution had reached American shores, finding a handhold in the pine forests of the Atlantic coastal plain, and later, on to the Gulf. By the 1930s, the majority of longleaf forests had been all but wiped out due to the unassailable economic logic of clearcut-and-export that had helped to make the South an industrial contender on a global scale.
Currently, six longleaf pine plots are situated at disparate points across the mountain, from the Wetlands, on the southeast side of the mountain, to the Possum Loop trail, to the northeast. Longleaf pines may be purchased at the Nature Center. L ong lea f p ine produces c ones 6-10" long
Today we find ourselves in the fallout of the longleaf era, attempting to protect and restore populations of this unique organism to a semblance of its former glory. According to a 2013 survey conducted by the USDA, only 4.3 million acres of longleaf pine remain, a reduction of 95%. Most remaining old-growth longleaf pine forests, or stands, exist as island ecosystems—a mere fragment of the larger population at 12,000 acres. Counterintuitive though it may sound, fire is vital to the health and propagation of longleaf pine forests. Pinus palustris thrives in prairie-like conditions, and both natural fires and prescribed burns help to maintain these conditions by burning out invasives 17
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IT TAKES A COALITION As members, donors, staff and volunteers of Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition Inc., our common purpose, our mission, is to advance the understanding of ecology in a rapidly changing world. For more than 40 years, this wonderful microcosm—known to the world as Ruffner Mountain—has amazed and inspired us. On both a geologic and a human scale, the magic of Birmingham is ever apparent. Zine Volume III explores the relation of a mountain’s flora to the biodiversity of a city; describes how to select, properly place and plant trees on our lawns and at our businesses; and reveals some of the exciting projects involving tree canopies across Birmingham, Irondale and the surrounding areas. Throughout Ruffner Mountain, the Birmingham region, and across our planet, electrical impulses are traveling through the soil in the roots of trees, directing water and nutrient flows from older members to younger saplings. At the same time, pheromones are communicated through leaf, root and other delivery systems during critical events, preparing nearby plants (and other organisms) for coming conditions. One thing is clear: organisms benefit through cooperation (a coalition) with others.
As we slip into the shortening days of fall foliage, the Board of Directors of the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition Inc. is especially grateful to the many wonderfully-talented, contributing members, forward-thinking donors, dedicated personnel and long-standing, hard-working volunteers who collectively give, provide for and otherwise log the long hours required to accomplish all the things necessary on a daily, monthly and annual basis here on the mountain. Truly, most things Ruffner could not exist without your continuing third-quarter consideration and generous financial support. The Board of Directors also applauds the collaboration being explored by our area park, civic and philanthropic leaders, and encourages such continuing efforts. It takes a coalition to manage our parks and forests, and a community to build a future around them. See you on the mountain!
Billy Weems President, Ruffner Mountain Board of Directors
Help us to reach our goal of
$160,000.
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individuals participated in programming
of programs were provided free of charge
programs presented (at Ruffner and off-site)
trees were planted on Ruffner Mountain by staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers
hours of meeting space provided free of charge to more than
Ruffner spent
local non-profits
on bathroom supplies and cleaning
on land management (does not include salary and labor) new volunteers
on utilities volunteer hours
July 2017 through June 2018
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MEMBERS
Active as of October 1st, 2018 Rucker Agee Alabama Waldorf School Robert Aland James Albea Sherrie Alexander Joshua Alford Maryon Allen James Allen Laura Anderson Alina Arbuthnot Samantha & Jansen Arceneaux Danny Armstrong Tiffany Arnold Vickie Ashford Melissa Atkinson Erika Austin Justin Averette Jake Bailey Kay Bains Suzanne Baker Bonnie Baker Anne Balch Daniel Barckley Michael Barnett Joni Barnett Gary Barr Carla Barrentine Matthew Barthold Linda Baucher-Crews Douglas Baulos Brian Beard Dena Belcher Cason Benton Jack Bergstresser Johanna Berres Sarah Bettinger Peggy Biga Birmingham Mountain Radio Jason Bittle Anna Bittle Melissa Blackston Ned Boggan Lisa Booher Clyde Boykin Tatiana Brecht Matthew Brennan Janet Bronstein Nelson & Elizabeth Brooke Randall Brown Andrea Brown Timothy Brown Abigail Brudvig
Kirsten Bryant Christine Bryant-Harden Jesse Bryson Felicia Buck Matthew Burks Darryl Burton Patrick Byington Rachel Callahan Mark & Mary Campbell Colin Carbis Laura Cardwell Clarence Carlton Jamie Carnathan Matthew & Jane Carrier Christy Carter Lisa Casey Dawn Cassizzi Marcus Cathey Hafiz & Orooj Chandiwala Jeff & Kelly Chopin Davis Clark Trey Clark Matthew Clarkson Gabriel Clements Jon & Frances Clemmensen Chris Clevenger John & Linda Cline Jason Clotfelter Scott Cohen Sarah Cole Andrew Coleman Esteban Colomer R. Scotty Colson Melanie & Earl Colvin Glen Connor Douglas Cooper Lauren Cooper Jill Copeland-Henderson Melissa Cordova Kathryn Corey Jeff Cornelius Thomas Cosby Brent Cotton Alberto & Maggie Coutoumanos Gwen Cox Jackie Crandall Ronald Crenshaw Jennifer & Bruce Cromer Jenny Crump Andrew Crump Cathleen Cummings Meegan Dale
20 Artwork by C hris D av i s
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Jessica Dallow Hilary Daly Jim Dargan Ian Davey Kristie David Maura Davies Jettye & Jon Davis Dariana Dervis Daniel DeVaughn William DeVaughn Raven Dewitt Ian Dexter Lisa Dimperio Michael Disko Dianna Dison William Dobbins Danielle Dodson David & Martha Dodson Devin & Helen Dolive Ricardo DonAlexis Nick Dorman David Dorn John Douglas Amy Dowdey Nathan Dreger Julien Drogoul Linda Duckworth Leigh Dudrow Madeline Eckenrode Carol & Everett Edwards Peter Egli Scottie Elkins Nathan & Dale Eshelman Jeffrey Estes Matthew, Marieke, Myles, & Madeleine Fendley Roger & Jackie Folk Meg Ford Katherine Ford Emily Forrester Tom Forsee William Foster Mary Foster Elizabeth Fox Andrew Freeland Kathy Freeland Devon Gage Benjamin Gallagher Trip & Katherine Galloway Drusilla Gassenheimer Doris Gertler James Gillespy Maria Glaser
Michael Glenn Christopher Godlewski Paul Goepfert Sarah Goodman Matthew Goodman Jeremy Gordinier Carissa Gottlieb Timothy Gowins Johnie Grace Kristian & Skye Gratton Diane Gray Todd & Shawnie Green Leesa Green Robert Greenberg Patricia Greene John Gregory Tena Griffin James Groark Francesca Gross Steven Guerdat Michael Guilsher Sam Gunderson Kristofer Gutierrez Virginia Hackney Mary Margaret Haigler Alex Hall Frank Hamby Raymond Hamilton Katherine Hamilton Turner Hamilton Shane Hamlin Susan Hammack Michelle Hamrick Collin Hansen Mary Hardin Wick Harlan Helen Harmon Rona Harper Lisa Harris Joel & Candace Harris Susan Haskell Amita Hazariwala James Head Anna Head Gus Heard-Hughes Robert Heithaus Linda Hicks Brent Hicks Jimmy Hill Lee Hilliard Chris Hines Jo Hofmann William Holman
Chris Holmes Sarah Holsombeck Lucian Hornbuckle Kate Horton Bill Host Kristi Houk Lee Howard Harry Howell Jacob Huggart Carol Hunt Matthew Hunter Foster Hyde Rebecca Impello Lee Irwin Greg Jackson Erin James Sarah Jassim John Jensen Eli Johnson Allison Johnson Sarah Johnson Chris Johnson Carden Johnston Christine & Adam Johnston Earl & Anne Jones Clay Jones Gareth Jones Kathryn Jones Eric Jones Stephen Jones Jennifer Kampsnider Michael Kase Ty Keith Carlton Kelley Mark Kelly William Kennedy Owen & Tracy Kerley Martin & Rebecca Kessler Gottfried Kibelka Eileen Kiernan Naomi Kipp Jennifer Knott Christopher Krato Bob & Cindy Kuehner Scott Lagace Tyler Lahti Mike Landrum Season Lane Jerome & Joyce Lanning Alan Lasseter Randall Law Steve Lawrence Andrew Lee
Ryan Lenier Donald Leopard Kim Lepley Rachel & Patrick Letcher Eric Lewallen Haley Lewis Ryan Lichtenstein Gina Linden Jenna Lindsey Andrew Logan Jeffrey Lollar Rachel & Clark Lopez Holly Lucas Lewis Lucas Macknally Land Design Maria Macksoud Kayla MacNeil Steven MacNeil Jean Madden Julie Maharrey Mike & Susan Mahon Sheelia Marks Cliff & Cindy Martin Natalie Martina June Mays Karen Maze Kristie Mazzoni Dan McBrayer James McCombs Charleton McCowan Deborah McCoy Shasha Mccracken Jason McCracken Ed McCracken Doug McCullough Jennifer McGee Meg McGlamery Karen McIntyre Thomas Mclemore Kirsten Means Theresa Mendez Sherri Messimer Max Michael Steven Miles Michael Miller Cynthia Millican Rebecca Millsap Katie Moellering Carmen & Andrew Molay Ryon Moncrief Lindsay Moore Shan Moore Nancy Morse
To se e a f u l l l i st o f c u r re n t m e m be rs an d do n o rs, v i si t r u f f n e r m o u n t ai n . o r g / su ppo rt .
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John & Chivon Morse Rebecca Motykiewicz Christopher Moyer Rodger Murphree Jill Hurley & Sandy Nadeau Adela Negron-Flores Joseph Nelson Abigail Newberry Seth Newell Barbara Newman Lindsey Newman April Nichols Jennifer Nix Amanda & Jamie Nobles John Norris John & Ericka Northrop Stephanie Norton Rebecca Null Tyler O’Connor Abraham Odrezin Caedan Oliver Heather Oliver David Olsen Brad Olzinski Teresa Osborne Clay Ousley Spencer & Justinn Overton Rachel Owens James Owens Molly Palmer
Amber Palmier Dorothy Parker Harlan Parker Snookie Parrish Sunni Parrish Anthony Patterson Debbie Patton James Patton Melissa Payne Ansel Payne David Perry Maureen & Leo Pezzementi Debbie & Sam Pezzillo Ingrid Pfau Stella Pfau Jesse Thomas Phillips Grayson Pickett Cindy Pinger Clinton Pittman Sarah Price Thomas & Louann Prince Ingrid Propst Hannah Pruitt Randy & Brenda Raiford Jennifer Rankin Garnet Ratliff Jonathan Raulston Jay Reed Rhiannon Reed Rhiannon Reese
DONORS
Greg Reeves Sally Reilly Rick & Susan Remy Alan Renfroe Adrienne Retief Richard Reynolds Robert Farley & Michelle Reynolds Iris Rinke-Hammer Keats Rivas Jim Robertson Reid Robertson Pelham Rowan Linda Ruddock Brian Rushing Emily Rushing Jennifer Sanders Carlee Sanford Leesa Sanford Anamaria Santiago Lane & Jan Savage Al Schlosser Walter Schrading Martin Schwartz James Scott Janet Sharpe Melinda Shelton Linda Sherk Matthew Shields Ryan Shipman
Amy Sides Rachel Sievert Robert Simon Janet Simpson-Templin Robert Sims Laura & Jerry Sisson Doug & Laura Skiles Alex Skinner Justin Slaughter Leigh Slay Daniel Smart Brandon Smith Jacob Smith Ann Smith Edward Smith Michael & Ruth Smith Cassidy Smith Ashley Snow Lauri Soong Claire Speegle Fennigan Spencer Camille Spratling Taylor Steele George Steele Hampton Stephens Kevin Storr Jim Stubbs Ben Stuenkel David Sullivan Kelley Swatzell
Elizabeth Swift Sarah Warren Bethany Swindoll Darryl Washington Michael Sznajderman Kathryn Watson Beau Talley Samantha Weaver Kelly Talley Katherine Webb Kate Tankersley William & Linda Weber Philip Tavill Steven Weber Helen Taylor William Weems Ryan Taylor Kevin Wheeler Lillis Taylor Meade & Charlotte Whitaker Britni Taylor Jason Wicker Jason Templin Laura Wilder Christina Terrell Tyrone & Tycely Williams Charles Thompson Daniel Williams Katie Thompson Hunter Williams Melanie Thorn Winter Williams Patricia Tichenor Langford & Jennifer Williams David Tosch Hannah Willis Albert Turner Edward Wills Jerri Turner Grace Willson Taylor, Destiny, & Parks Turner Kenneth Wilson Kile Turner Daniel Wilson Natalie Valentine Erika Wilson Phil Vanderkamp Beverly & Stephen Wittkop John Vanover Wayne Wood Elizabeth Vaughan Daniel Wood Phillip Vickrey William Woodall Kristina Visscher Julia Wortham Allison Wakeley David & Linda Wurstner Taylor Warren Charles Yeager Marjorie Young
Gifts of $100 or more
Gifts received between July 2017 and June 2018 Rucker Agee Jason Baldwin Elliot & Bette Bell James Bennett Nelson & Elizabeth Brooke Derry Bunting The C. Eugene Ireland Foundation Andrew & Elizabeth Campbell David Carrington Mike Carson Marcus Cathey Craig & Millie Christopher William & Margaret Coffman Charles Collat Glen Connor Kathryn Corey Thomas Cosby Creative Montessori School Elaine Culver Alfred Custred C. W. Christensen Charitable Fund
Jim Dargan Frank & Beverly Dawson Elizabeth Deigaard Devin & Helen Dolive John Dorlon Dunn French Foundation EBSCO Industries, Inc. June Fletcher Jessica Findley Frederick & Anne Fish William R. & Susan H. Foisy Andrew Freeland Will & Liesel French Fred & Brenda Friedman James Fuhrmeister Devon Gage Gambrell Trust David & Yvonne Gauntt Dorothy Gerard Thomas Gerhart James Gillespy
Wick Harlan Paul Hoffman Carden Johnston Bob & Barbara Koehler Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation Cynthia Millican James & Crystal Pate Hans Paul Riser Family Fund Brian Rushing Ken & Natalie Sansom William Smith The Stephens Foundation Michael Sznajderman Cameron Vowell Vulcan Materials Company Foundation Michael & Carole Yester Thomas & Caroline Yeilding
We be l i e v e t h i s i n fo r m at i o n t o be c o m pl e t e. I f w e hav e m ade an e r ro r, pl e ase c o n t ac t u s at i n fo @r u f f n e r m o u n t ai n . o r g o r ( 2 0 5 ) 8 3 3 - 8 2 6 4 .
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In addition to the City of Irondale
different Birmingham neighborhoods and communities are connected by Ruffner Mountain
(Brown Springs, East Lake, Eastwood, Gate City, North East Lake, Roebuck Springs, South East Lake, and Wahouma)
Top member zip codes
35206 35210 35222 35213 35212 35205
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Number of wildlife species Ruffner Mountain hosts
162 species of birds
invertebrates, including 36 species of butterflies and moths
28
species of mammals
species of reptiles
of trees found at Ruffner Mountain are native to Alabama
Over
525 plant species
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Artwork by Ka t i e T ho mpso n
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WHEN TREES LEAVE THE MAGIC CITY
Can you? How long could we exist here in the Magic City without forests or trees at all? 10 years? 50? 100? 500? 5? To be fair, even if every tree in Birmingham disappeared right now, we would still have a pretty good chance of survival due to the high biodiversity and proliferation of trees across the state. But daily life would begin to look drastically different...
Without the carbon sequestration that trees provide, more carbon monoxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide would be in the air we breathe.
By two different processes, evaporation and transpiration, trees pull moisture from the soil and release water back into the atmosphere, thereby increasing overall rainfall. Also, since trees prevent soil erosion and stormwater runoff, water quality would lower significantly.
Fewer trees means not only less rainfall, but since trees are such great absorbers of the sun’s energy, their sudden absence would mean a far less temperate (read: hotter) climate.
Studies suggest there is a correlation between high tree canopy cover and reduced crime rate.
Trees are great buffers for traffic noise and urban clamor. We would see far fewer animals in the city, birds especially.
All of the factors above would mean a much higher monthly energy bill. 25
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THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS Chris Davis Chris Davis is a Birmingham illustrator, graphic designer, actor, and comedian. Instagram @chrisdavisdoesstuff Katie Thompson Katie Thompson is a Birmingham artist and designer. Her areas of focus include graphic and web design, illustration work, and ceramics. She works full time as the Art Director for Studio by the Tracks, a nonprofit in Irondale, AL. Website: KatieThompsonDesign.net Instagram @selfie_sticky Terrence Wimberly Terrence Wimberly is an intermedia artist and music producer from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who focuses on the use of figures and foliage in his work. He often explores ideas about existence, spirituality, and nature in his work with the manipulation of the human form and naturalistic materials. Instagram @nppymsk Jon Woolley Jon Woolley is an environmental artist and botanical illustrator. Instagram @littleforest_. Anna Zoladz Anna Zoladz is an illustrator and game designer currently based in Birmingham, AL. Email: ocarinzee@gmail.com Personal work: behance.net/annazoladz Scientific illustration: alabamaflora.tumblr.com
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I s ee a g a i n , a s one in v is ion s ees, T he blossoms and the bees, A n d h ea r th e child ren’s voices s hou t a nd ca ll, A n d th e brown chestnuts fall. –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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1214 81 ST ST R E E T S O U T H , B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 52 0 6
www.r uf fner mountain.or g
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