GardenDC Podcast Episode 204: Natural Tree Care

In this episode, we talk with Basil Camu, co-owner of Leaf & Limb tree service, about natural tree care. The plant profile is on Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia) and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events and this week's garden tasks in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Hollyhock Memories from Christy Page of Green Prints.

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If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 87: Winter Tree Care

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-87-winter-tree.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 187: Mad About Mulches

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-187-mad-about.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Natural-Tree-Care-e2mphqj

SHOW NOTES: 1:17 Welcome Basil Camus, co-owner of Leaf and Limb – a tree care company in Raleigh, NC 1:51 Basil was not born with a green thumb, he found an affinity for trees later in life 2:32 Basil shares his academic background and how he became involved in tree care 6:51 What is Basil growing in his garden? Native meadows, pocket forests, and thickets 8:05 Basil talks about Thickets and using them for privacy in a yard 10:41 What is the process for growing saplings for plum trees? 14:02 Spacing is important when planting saplings 17:14 Basil shares where you can get seeds for native saplings 18:50 Kathy shares where to get seeds in the Washington, DC area 19:46 What are the dangers of containerized or balled and burlapped trees? 20:57 Where did the title for Basil’s new book, “Wasteland to Wonder,” come from? 25:53 Growing certain trees is tough because of the rules set by HOA and the city government 27:24 Basil included QR codes in his book to give the readers deeper information 28:45 Basil talks about soil tests. Should it be the first thing you do? 31:19 What can you do if the soil is deficient? 33:58 Kathy and Basil talk about the compost tea debate. Does it do anything? 36:06 What are the benefits of spraying homemade compost tea on foliage? 39:32 What are Pocket Forests and how can you grow them? 41:13 Try to get a mix of trees, not a monoculture 44:03 What do you do when your older trees are starting to decline in health? 48:03 “Trees drop limbs, it’s part of being a tree,” Basil said 50:05 Get Basil’s book “Wasteland to Wonder” for free online at https://www.leaflimb.com/wonder/ 50:55 Basil gives his final advice – you can impact change! 51:51 Plant Profile: Brugmansia 53:34 What’s new in the garden this week? Surprise lilies and gherkins have formed 54:37 This week’s garden tip on squash and melon growing 55:17 Upcoming events in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area – Visit the Montgomery County Master Gardeners demonstration garden at the Montgomery County Fair in Gaithersburg. The Maryland Native Plant Society is hosting “Maryland Trees Under Attack: What We Can Do” with speaker Faith Campbell on August 27th at 7:00 p.m. Register at mdflora.org. Support the podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... and email Kathy at kathyjentz@gmail.com to earn a GardenDC embroidered patch. 57:11 Check out Groundcover Revolution by Kathy Jentz for low-maintenance alternatives for lawns on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 58:40 Check out the Urban Garden by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 59:34 Christy Page from GreenPrints on Hollyhock Memories: Dancing With the Ladies, a story by Ellen Sampson

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Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Interview Edit and Show Notes: Josh Panepento

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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You can get Basil Camu's book, "From Wasteland to Wonder" at: https://www.leaflimb.com/wonder/