Category: Nature

  • Give a Neighborhood Tree a Drink

     IMG_5570 - Version 22012-08-06-city-tree-stressed-dry-lack -of -water-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    With the wilting heat we've had this season, some of Boston's street trees are looking very sad. On Marlborough Street, a number of Maples are so severely stressed that they are turning brown. Water may not be the only issue, but water will certainly help.

    Trees Add Value

    The good folks over at CURBED recently reminded us that trees add value to our lives in many ways. If you're like us, you've been a shade seeker as you've walked around the city this summer.

    Trees shading your windows reduce the temperature inside your home. And, they add to your property value just by sitting there. So give a bit back to these excellent assets by taking the time to water your nearest street tree during hot weather. 

    Here's the guidance you'll need to adopt and care for a tree from the City Arborist.

    IMG_4927 - Version 22012-04-06-tree-pit-boston-plant-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, if you really love your trees, you could give them some mulch and underplantings to keep the moisture in and people's feet off their roots. Someone did a nice job of protecting this street tree in the South End.

    Just remember to keep new soil and mulch four inches away from the trunk of the tree so that it stays at the same level at which it was planted. 

    Related Posts:

    Musical Tree Plays Many Tunes

    How Does Your Street “Tree Pit” Grow? Let Her Count the Ways!

    Where Is this Allée of Linden Trees?

    Time for Dutch Elm Disease Watch

    If you want to identify the trees around you, we highly recommend the guide book from David Allen Sibley.

    This book is on a level with his fabulous bird guides.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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  • Give a Neighborhood Tree a Drink

     IMG_5570 - Version 22012-08-06-city-tree-stressed-dry-lack -of -water-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    With the wilting heat we've had this season, some of Boston's street trees are looking very sad. On Marlborough Street, a number of Maples are so severely stressed that they are turning brown. Water may not be the only issue, but water will certainly help.

    Trees Add Value

    The good folks over at CURBED recently reminded us that trees add value to our lives in many ways. If you're like us, you've been a shade seeker as you've walked around the city this summer.

    Trees shading your windows reduce the temperature inside your home. And, they add to your property value just by sitting there. So give a bit back to these excellent assets by taking the time to water your nearest street tree during hot weather. 

    Here's the guidance you'll need to adopt and care for a tree from the City Arborist.

    IMG_4927 - Version 22012-04-06-tree-pit-boston-plant-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, if you really love your trees, you could give them some mulch and underplantings to keep the moisture in and people's feet off their roots. Someone did a nice job of protecting this street tree in the South End.

    Just remember to keep new soil and mulch four inches away from the trunk of the tree so that it stays at the same level at which it was planted. 

    Related Posts:

    Musical Tree Plays Many Tunes

    How Does Your Street “Tree Pit” Grow? Let Her Count the Ways!

    Where Is this Allée of Linden Trees?

    Time for Dutch Elm Disease Watch

    If you want to identify the trees around you, we highly recommend the guide book from David Allen Sibley.

    This book is on a level with his fabulous bird guides.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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  • Parasols Are Poppin’ up All Over…

    PMC_5610 - Version 32012-07-13-parasol-newbury street-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Parasols, or sun umbrellas, are popping up all over Boston. This woman carries hers with grace and style on Newbury Street. They may not be trending as a fashion accessory quite yet, but they are a very smart way to protect your skin from harmful rays.

    PMC_5570 - Version 22012-07-10-parasol-commonwealth-avenue-mall-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This woman was using hers to shield her book and computer screen.

    IMG_5476 - Version 22012-07-14-parasol-commonwealth-avenue-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Here's someone skipping home with a parasol in one hand and a bouquet in the other. 

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? If you're looking for Sun Umbrellas, Amazon has them. And, shopping there from here will help support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Parasols Are Poppin’ up All Over…

    PMC_5610 - Version 32012-07-13-parasol-newbury street-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Parasols, or sun umbrellas, are popping up all over Boston. This woman carries hers with grace and style on Newbury Street. They may not be trending as a fashion accessory quite yet, but they are a very smart way to protect your skin from harmful rays.

    PMC_5570 - Version 22012-07-10-parasol-commonwealth-avenue-mall-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This woman was using hers to shield her book and computer screen.

    IMG_5476 - Version 22012-07-14-parasol-commonwealth-avenue-boston-ma-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Here's someone skipping home with a parasol in one hand and a bouquet in the other. 

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? If you're looking for Sun Umbrellas, Amazon has them. And, shopping there from here will help support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Bass Fishing on the Charles River

    PMC_5405 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All summer long, we've seen rods and reels along the Esplanade as anglers choose favorite spots for a major bass fishing tournament to be held on the Charles and Mystic Rivers in September. The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Eastern Division Championship will take place on the Charles and Mystic Rivers from September 12th to the 14th, 2012.

    PMC_5413 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This bass, caught along the Esplanade canoeway, was too small to keep. After posing for a quick photo, it was returned to the river.

    PMC_5219 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Perhaps the currents under the Mass Ave Bridge are a sweet spot for this angler.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by ZemantaWhat's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!
  • Bass Fishing on the Charles River

    PMC_5405 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All summer long, we've seen rods and reels along the Esplanade as anglers choose favorite spots for a major bass fishing tournament to be held on the Charles and Mystic Rivers in September. The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Eastern Division Championship will take place on the Charles and Mystic Rivers from September 12th to the 14th, 2012.

    PMC_5413 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This bass, caught along the Esplanade canoeway, was too small to keep. After posing for a quick photo, it was returned to the river.

    PMC_5219 - Version 22012-07-08-esplanade-charles-river-boston-bass-fishing-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Perhaps the currents under the Mass Ave Bridge are a sweet spot for this angler.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by ZemantaWhat's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!
  • How’s the Patient Doing? Air Spading Project Update!

    Just as you might require further tests after a medical procedure, there is a Boston landmark park getting a follow-up health exam of its own. So, how’s the patient doing?

    After undergoing a thorough air spading one year ago, a block of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall is beginning to show signs of recovery.

    We had a chance to follow arborist Chuck Sherzi Jr., this spring, as he performed a series of tests to assess the health of this historic park between Mass Ave & Hereford Street. (map)

    (Once the video starts, you can select the HD video option for higher quality viewing.)

    Using Cornell University’s Soil Health Assessment guidelines, Sherzi demonstrated how he checks the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the soil with special emphasis on compaction– a major threat to this area. He stressed the need for turf management that includes: irrigation, mowing, reseeding, aerating, and a yearly top-dressing with compost, to help minimize the problem.

    As we await analysis of all the data gathered, Sherzi told us he was encouraged by what he’d found during his day of testing. And, what’s more, he said results from this demonstration project will benefit not only parks like this, “but also smaller spaces, the backyard garden, commercial sites, among others.”

    For a look at how this pilot restoration effort began, see the first video in this series: Air Spading a Boston Landmark.

    If you are a serious gardener, parks advocate, or farmer, here are links to download copies of two publications that Chuck Sherzi recommends:

    The Cornell Soil Health Assessment Training Manual

    Building Soils for Better Crops: Sustainable Soil Management 

    To donate to this project or for more information, click this link to: Send an email to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee @CommAveMall@verizon.net.

    The Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee is a joint effort of the Friends of the Public Garden and the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay. 

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino
    Videography: © 2012 Ed Cherubino
    Written, Produced, and Narrated by Ed Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

  • Everyone’s Photographing the Big, Round, Giant Allium

    PMC_4550 - Version 22012-06-15-giant allium-public-graden-boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    In the Boston Public Garden and along the Greenway, we watched people stop to photograph the Giant Allium plants that have been blooming during the past couple of weeks. For a short time each year, these blooms add a pop of color and fun to the landscape. 

    Add a link to your favorite Allium photo in the comments section! 

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • The Boston Stinkers Are Blooming

    PMC_4322 - Version 22012-06-12-boston-stink-trees-Ailanthus-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We see readers popping in to read our posts about Boston's stink trees. And, we walked under this one in full bloom in the Back Bay. If you're seeing sidewalks covered in yellowish, green bloom debris that gives off a strong smell, you've found an Ailanthus. 

    For more information check our posts on the topic.

    Boston's Stink Trees (Ailanthus) Are In Bloom

    The Stink Trees are Back and….

    And, to read what others think about them, click over to these conversations on Universal Hub. Adam Gaffin just loves to write headlines about these trees.

    The Back Bay stinks

    Return of the stink trees brings gasps of disgust, runny eyes to tony Back Bay

    The stink trees of Boston are in bloom

    What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Hiking with Your Dog in Greater Boston

    This time of year, we always see a flurry of visitors to our post reviewing the book, Best Hikes with Dogs, Boston and Beyond. We thought we'd bring this gem to our newer Sunday Dog fans who might want to take a hike with their own Sunday Dog. Just click on that link to jump over to it.

    Invest in this book and enjoy the weekends ahead by letting Jenna and Tasman guide you to some "hidden pockets of magic" in Boston and beyond.

    IMG_5147 - Version 22012-05-16-summer-riding-dog-carrier-backpack-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, because we wanted to have a little someone for all of you who tune in each week to see what local dog is in the BostonZest spotlight, we thought we would feature Miss Summer in her neat carrier. She spends her days with her person Rose walking other dogs. Sometimes Summer walks and sometimes she rides. It's a great solution if your small dog is not quite ready for a long hike!

    And, there are companion books for hiking with your dog in other areas of the country. Click here to see if there is one for your next outdoor destination with your furry friend. Below are the direct links to Boston, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and outside New York City.

          

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Summer's photo: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    (Bookcover courtesy of Mountaineers Books, all rights reserved)

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.