Another late winter/spring storm is predicted for later this week through the weekend, and even if snow doesn't reach the valley floor, cold night time temperatures dipping down into the high 20s, low 30s are predicted.

This time of year is always iffy for many of our most cherished plants just waking up to the spring -- fruit trees, grape vines and early vegetable sprouts. The best gardening tip for these erratic events is to either bring your vulnerable plants indoors, or add protective wraps and water walls.

Dry Creek has various sized plant wraps, water walls and other protective products to help us get through the late storms that seem to inevitably threaten a smooth transition between winter and spring. If you haven't already, stop in and see what might be done to protect your plants from yet another approaching cold snap.

This time of year is hit or miss with new growth on local hardwood trees. The late winter storms that swept over the Sierra this past week caused die-back on some trees like the sycamore pictured. The young leaves are now crisp and brown and crumbling. But the damage isn't long-term. This particular tree was also hit last year by the sudden frost in early June, but it completely re-foliated itself by mid-summer.

New growth on ash, maple, mulberry, oak and other trees is certainly vulnerable, especially if the trees are exposed to freezing winds, or in low-lying areas where freezing air settles. But there's usually no need to panic. If a tree is burned by frost and freezing temperatures, usually its dormant buds will come to the rescue. So don't attempt to remove the damaged leaves. They will fall to the ground by themselves and unless the tree is especially weak or diseased, new leaves will appear by summer. The tree might even come back with a vengeance, developing more leaves than usual to compensate for the shock.

Last year's late frost did reduce fruit tree and grape production in certain parts of the valley. Hopefully the timing of this past event won't be a repeat of last year.

One of the most significant oaks in Nevada is the Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii). This slow growing shrub/tree is often seen growing in scattered fashion amongst the slopes and valleys of the Great Basin and Range. The species has an extensive range throughout Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. If left to themselves, Gambel Oak grow slowly in irregular shapes in thick groups, reaching a height of about fifteen feet in twenty years. In the wild, thickets expand by acorn seeds and root sprouts. The trees are long lived, easy to care for and remain small for many years. They enjoy regular, coarse soil, little fertilizer and regular light watering. The gracefully shaped leaves turn golden-brown to reddish-brown in autumn.

Two columnar maples are new to the yard. They're young and slim and just now about 12 feet high. Adorable. Here come the leaves after the seeds have formed.

Wikihow.com claims that maple seeds are edible. They are in fact a treat whether cooked, raw or dried. These more desirable small seeds from young trees are more delicate, sweeter than larger seeds from older, more mature trees. The seeds need to be extracted from their helicopter shells. Taste them raw to see if they tend toward bitterness. If so, more preparation is needed.

It's difficult to have a favorite tree, but columnar maples are topping the list for trees that conserve land space. The small footprint, the narrow profile, the beautiful bark, beautiful leaves, spectacular color display in autumn -- all is combined into this amazing tree, the maple. Columnar or not, living amongst the maples is just a fun way to live.

In the late afternoon, lounging after the sun has left the side yard, it's like fishing, sitting peacefully in the shade, comfortable, quite, watching, waiting, wondering with thoughts to and from no place in particular, gazing at the two new columnar maple trees. New to Reno, these trees, so far braving the Reno weather, digging in quite well, their first spring in this final location. What better life than leisure to watch the trees grow?

Worldwide, there are over one hundred and twenty different maple (Aceraceae) species. Indigenous to Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States and Canada, the maple is one of the most beautiful deciduous trees in the world. In fact, tourism with respect to maple trees is big business in areas of Japan, Korea, Canada and the United States. The trees offer perhaps the most spectacular display of autumn color of all deciduous trees. Their amazing color, their various shapes and sizes, their steady growth, as well as their tolerance of frigid winter temperatures helps the maple top the list of lasting favorites of gardeners, landscapers and bonsai enthusiasts. In the spring their early seed production signals the coming of warmer weather. Their distinct "key" or "helicopter" seeds invoke memories of childhood. Some species have silver-white trunks that catch light in such a dramatic way that they look as if illuminated from within.

The sap of the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) is used commercially for the production of maple syrup, now considered one of the world's super foods. Its dense, extra fine-grained wood is used for making pool cues, bowling pins, guitar necks and fine furniture. It is also used for making high quality charcoal for smoking various meats and fish.

This maple (pictured) lives at the The Wilbur May Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Reno. This week marks the Arboretum's 25th Anniversary (May 6th, 2011). If you haven't toured the Arboretum, it's a wonderful place to find some peace and quiet for an hour or two, and a good place to view trees and other plants that can be grown in our region.

Speaking of trees, Arbor day is an old national tradition, dating back to 1872. The celebration was started by J. Sterling Morton to remind Americans and all citizens of this planet the importance of trees in our lives, the relationship trees have to our health and to our sense of beauty and our peace of mind. The day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. Arbor day as a reminder is always important, but perhaps more important now than ever as our planet's forests are disappearing at an incredible rate. The World Resources Institute gathers statistics on deforestation. Research indicates that about eighty percent of the earth's old growth forests have already been consumed. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the rate of forest destruction has slowed somewhat during the first decade of the 21st century, but we are still losing forests the size of Panama (7.3 million hectares) each year.

This year, trees and forests are not only being celebrated on a single Friday in April, but the United Nations has designated the entire year as the International Year of Forests! The effort is needed to bring to the attention of intelligent and responsive humans everywhere the dire need for a more sustainable response to the forests that remain. In conjunction with the UN, this year the US Forest Service has its own upbeat awareness compaign called "Celebrate Forests. Celebrate Life." Certainly, with only twenty percent of the earth's old growth, self-sustaining forests remaining, may this year help us to visualize, promote and implement policies and practices that might reverse this drastic, tragic history. So to this: Happy Arbor Day! And, if you forgot to plant a tree, it's not too late! May the International Year of Forests be a wake up call for all of those who have the means to respond.

Check out photographs of ancient Oak, Spruce and Ash trees in Europe's last ancient forest, Poland's Bialowieza Primeval Forest. The forest is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of some 380,000 acres, one of the largest remaining old growth forests in all of Europe. The forest is threatened by global climate change and local resistance to protective park expansion that might ensure the forest's self-sustaining abilities.

John Strickland at Drycreek has a peculiar interest among his many horticultural interests: miniature trees. When you see his collection, you can see why. Each year he searches for true miniature and dwarf deciduous and conifer trees that would make any electric train enthusiast drool with delight. These trees are perfect for train hobbyists who have always dreamed of building a backyard railroad that wanders through a true to scale living world, something that brings out the kid in all of us. These trees are also perfect for those who like to create bonsai landscapes, miniature rock gardens, miniature parks and tree lined streets in tiny towns, and miniature hobbit forests whether in ground or in container. These little trees can be used, too, for creating small terrarium landscapes and are a wonderful way to get children interested in trees and gardening. The little landscapes change with the season and gardeners can decorate according to holidays and celebrations.

Some of the miniatures you might see coming and going through John's yearly collection are Boxwood, Cedar, Cotoneaster, Cypress, Golden Barberry, Hemlock, Juniper, Maple, Norway Spruce, White Spruce and many others. Drycreek also carries some beautiful containers for your hobby as well as miniature stones and ornaments. If you need tips on how to grow tiny trees, just ask John.

Oh, and Happy Arbor Day!

A recent study conducted by researchers at Florida State University and published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (The FASEB Journal. 2011;25:971.10) gives credence to what we've always been told about apples: eating them is good for our health. Luckily, apple trees are probably the easiest fruit tree to grow here in the high desert and the most productive. It's important that the variety match the climate, which means finding trees with a high chill requirement. It is also imperative that the trees be planted in a good location, in full sun, protected from fierce winds. And, because of the tendency for late springtime frost, a protected eastern or northeastern location can help postpone springtime budding by several weeks. For example, the tree pictured here lives in an eastern facing back yard in the old southwest section of Reno and is protected by homes on the south and west and is only just now beginning to bud. Certainly, finding the best microclimate for your fruit trees can make all the difference with production.

Other fruit trees that do well in our climate are apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums. Again, it's important to choose varieties that are compatible with our region. Talk to the experts at Drycreek. The nursery specializes in plants that thrive in our crazy climate.

Adding trees to the neighborhood has multiple benefits. Trees help filter urban pollution, they provide much coveted shade for those hot sun downer days of summer, they provide vertical visual interest, they provide protection from the wind. Plus, humans just tend to enjoy having trees around. Maybe it's the psychological pleasure derived from the texture and color, or perhaps for people in the desert, it's the oasis feeling they promote. The notion of 'sacred groves' is ancient and there are even studies that show how trees help us heal both emotional and physical wounds. Certainly it's a fact that people love trees. Certain trees, like the mighty Sequoias and the coastal Redwoods take on so much meaning that people even put their lives on the line to save them.

To memorialize the planting of trees can help create memories that unite people and place for a life time and even for generations. The ritual brings to life the otherwise metaphorical notion of putting down roots. They become, literally, the trees of life, the trees of our lives. We often hear statements like "My grandmother planted that tree" or "My father and I planted that tree." In this way, trees become part of the family.

An advantage to planting trees in one's own yard rather than in a public place is that you can tend to and protect the tree more easily. It isn't a selfish act, since the tree will be well cared for and as it grows your neighbors will begin to reap the visual and environmental benefits as well. Of course, if you love your neighbors, this is a good day to invite them over to help plant the tree, or at least to mix the cocktails while the gardeners plant the trees.

One of the tricks to planting trees for Earth Day -- whether deciduous trees like maples, fruit trees or conifers -- is to make sure the trees you plant are weather hardy for our harsh high desert climates. Find a place in your yard where the tree can grow without competition. Happy Earth Day!

If you love maple trees -- and who doesn't? -- and you want brilliant autumn color in a narrow space, the Bowhall Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a good choice. This rapid growing deciduous tree will reach 45 feet high with a typical spread of 15 to 20 feet. Native to North America, this wonderful tree grows into a well-formed columnar shape which makes it a good choice for street side plantings and other narrow spaces. It tolerates urban pollution and is hardy to -25 degrees. The Bowhall transplants easily when young and accepts a variety of soil types, from sand to clay. It will tolerate intermittent drought and also takes well to occasional flooding. It prefers full sun, but will accept a little shade. Resistant to deer, disease, and desert headwinds, the Bowhall is a good sport all around.

The tree sends out small red flowers (pictured) in April and May, then covers itself with the recognizable dark green, triangular 3 inch wide, 5 pointed leaves in summer. In early autumn, the tree makes a complete spectacle of itself with leaves turning usually from green to yellow-green to yellow, then to yellow-orange and then to bright red. Its tendency toward flashy exhibitionism can fluctuate in intensity from year to year depending on the weather and other subtle conditions, but even its less spectacular years are noteworthy. Stems and trunk are a dreamy silver gray.

Providing shade, stunning color and eye-catching vertical accent to almost any landscape, the Bowhall Maple is a tree to hug and fall in love with.