MISTLETOE Did you know? * True mistletoe is a thief. It's scientific name, Phoradendron means "thief of the tree" in Greek. Do you know why? * A winter walk down any Santa Margarita street will offer views of mistletoe growing on many of our deciduous landscape trees. * Druids, the holy men of Celtic society, used mistletoe in winter solstice ceremonies. Fearing the cold, short days of winter, the Druids used this green symbol of growth to ensure the return of the sun's warmth in the spring. * Mistletoe berries are poisonous to humans and many animals.	Volunteers took a break during the November 18 workday to discuss a potential project for 2001: landscaping the area around the W end of Brazzi Field. The primary purpose of this project would be to use natives to beautify this highly visible site while minimizing future maintenance needs. The site could also serve as a demonstration area. Suggestions include landscaping for fire safety or to create wildlife habitat. Another idea is that memorial trees could be included.     Can we muster the volunteer power needed to see this through? There are some encouraging signs. John Wyman has agreed to serve as co-project coordinator. Beverly Gingg recently received good news from N. County team leaders for Central Coast AmeriCorps Environmental Stewards (ACES) - they are willing to be our project partners! ACES involves youth (Atascadero H.S. & Oak Hills H.S.) in environmental-service-learning projects that help "instill a feeling of care, concern, and a sense of pride for one's community." That's right up our alley. Let's pull together and get the job done! Please stay tuned for a January meeting announcement. Thanks to Stu Stoddard, AUSD Facilities Director & Staff for ongoing cooperation & support!
Did you notice a little more GREEN this summer?
Last April, The Educated Gardener (and other local farm & garden stores) received samples of Pointer (see http://www.montereylawngarden.com/products/insects.html#pointer), an elm leaf beetle control product recently packaged for use by homeowners. Although Pointer's active ingredient, imidacloprid, had previously been available for commercial use, this was the first chance for homeowner's to give it a test run. Thanks largely to the efforts of Tom Sjodin, the news spread quickly and a number of homeowners opted to try Pointer. Based on casual observations (unscientific) of treated and untreated elms, it looks like the Pointer helped. Although this is good news, use restrictions (it shouldn't be used on the same trees every year), cost, and other considerations mean that we still need to pull together. Successful control will require community-wide cooperation and support. Leaders are needed! If you can help, please contact Beverly at info@smcf.org
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