Why you shouldn't move oak firewood

The Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is tiny beetle that’s infesting and killing oak trees in San Diego County. This beetle came from Arizona, where the environments have predators that naturally keep the beetle populations under control. Here in California, the only method of controlling the spread of GSOB is containment.

Cut wood that’s infested is still a threat, so don't move firewood, and follow some basic containment techniques to keep any mature beetles from escaping and reproducing.

Resources

University of California - Learn more about containment strategies, report GSOB sighting, download GSOB Field Identification Guide

University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources - Integrated Pest Management Program

San Diego Union Tribune - Beetles take a bite out of backcountry (Feb. 17, 2013), Oak deaths top 80,000 in San Diego County (Sept. 2, 2011)

California Firewood Task Force - Learn about the "Buy it Where You Burn It" campaign

Firewood Scout - Need to buy firewood? Find a vendor that knows where their supply comes from and has taken necessary precautions by seasoning the wood for two years or heat treating it.

California resources & info on Don't Move Firewood dot org

Weed Control

One of the most important phases in habitat restoration is weed control. Greg Rubin, President and Founder of California’s Own Native Landscape Design, Inc., has been working with native California plants since 1985.

His article on habitat restoration explains why weed control is essential to a successful native restoration.

Habitat Restoration

To quote Bert Wilson, owner of Las Pilitas Nursery, ecosystem restoration is defined as "a planting composed of 100% California native plants with components from the pioneer, sub-climax and climax communities. The ecosystem should represent the native appearance in the 1600's, have no alien, foreign, exotic components present (i.e. weeds, plastics, fertilizers, soil amendments, etc.), and maintained for 1-3 years with no water." Notice that Bert uses the word "restoration" and not "revegetation", which is no more specifically defined than covering the ground with vegetation. His protocols are stringent but straightforward, and we believe him to be among the great environmental ecologists of today. We have adopted his methodology, and the results have met with unparalleled success.

Weed Control: The Most Essential Step

Image source: Greg Rubin, calown.com

When working to restore native ecosystems, weed control becomes absolutely paramount. The dramatic effect is seen in this photo (above), comparing a mature Englemann oak on the client’s property with a neighbor’s tree in the distance. Notice that the tree in the foreground has had all weeds removed, whereas the neighbor’s tree is still choked in oat grass, mustard, fillaree, and brome (all non-native). The client’s tree is vigorous, it’s yellow color coming from the blossoms that are covering it. It is currently putting on 3 feet of new growth per year. The neighbor’s tree is barely surviving, no flowers (and no acorns-no babies). This photo really illustrates the concept of weeds vs. natives as an ecological switch-you either have weeds, or you have natives. They do not co-exist well. Next time you chance upon a healthy stand of chaparral, take a look inside. There are no weeds. If you can get to 70% canopy coverage with your native plant community, and you use good mulch and no "artificial life-support", then the natural weed inhibiting characteristics of your native landscape kick in.

Natives Come Roaring Back

Weed control spells the difference between success and failure on a native restoration. Note the health of the oak trees and the return of long dormant and volunteer natives back on to the clean site.

Native Landscaping Books

The California Landscape: The Homeowner's Design Guide to Restoring Its Beauty and Balance, by Greg Rubin and Lucy Warren, is available from Amazon.

Greg Rubin and Lucy Warren's new book The Drought-Defying California Garden: 230 Native Plants for a Lush Low-Water Landscape, is available from Amazon.

February Work Party

Planting Continues

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How'd we do? You decide! With the help of the Solana Beach ECO crew, we planted more than 100 natives:

• 9 Oak Trees
• 14 Sycamore Trees
• 66 Mulefat Shrubs
• 24 Willow Bushes

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“A special thanks to everyone who showed up and joined our friends from the Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club in habitat restoration by planting native trees. Check out their website to see photos of this amazing group helping to restore our native environment.”

— Stan Alstrum

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Plant locations are planned in advance and indicated with colored flags.

As a Partner of the DDHPL, the Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club has joined us at monthly work parties to actively restore our native habitat around Lake Hodges. Visit their blog to see more photos.

Interested in joining the action? Check our list of upcoming events - we'd love to see you there!

Find Free Firewood this Friday

Last weekend's biomass removal was a huge success, resulting in about 15 cords of firewood being removed by volunteers. As cleanup continues, firewood is still available.

Wood will be stacked at the lake entrance, between the gate and the bench and maybe a second stash near the porta potty. We will be adding to the stacks throughout the day, so if the area is empty you may want to check again later. It goes very quickly!