Taking Root is a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting and promoting urban forests in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. It brings together individuals, organizations and businesses across the region to support its reforestation and education programs.
On Feb. 25, the organization held its 10th annual Great Tree Summit, a free public event all about the celebration, protection and propagation of trees. This year, the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy hosted the event in the Mess Hall nestled within the Fort Thomas Tower Park.
The organization has a number of tree planting projects and annual events geared to both professionals and the public. These include the summit and an annual professional development event for foresters and others in the field. Taking Root also hosts several educational events for area schools and local groups and works with its partners to distribute trees to the community.
Participants at the Great Tree Summit heard from Keynote Speaker Joe Boggs, assistant professor at Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Department of Entomology.
Boggs’ presentation, “Weird Things in the Woods” focused pests, fungi and other things affecting trees, both benign and dangerous. From the emerald ash borer to squirrels and even to disc golf damage and overwatering, he covered a lot of ground. He gave examples to help people identify some of the more common conditions and pests.
Boggs was joined by Chuck Keller of the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy, who outlined his organization’s efforts to protect the urban canopy and green spaces within the city.
“Let’s face it, we are in the business of building community,” Keller said. “And that’s what everybody here is doing. In some form or another, we are building community. But how we do it is always interesting.”
He noted his organization is all volunteer. The conservancy has about 25 acres under its protection and is looking for more. They put an emphasis on education and work with schools and community groups in Fort Thomas.
“We have learned that everybody has a unique relationship with the planet. Whether it’s through art, science, music, literature, whatever it will be… And we want to find that and foster that and bring them into some action of strong conservation and preservation,” he said.
Participants also heard from Betsy Kruthoffer, rare books librarian at Lloyd Library in downtown Cincinnati. The scientific museum and research library holds some of the earliest and rarest books and manuscripts on botany, early medicine and science subjects.
Kruthoffer shared a history of the facility. Three brothers, John Uri, Nelson Ashley and Curtis Gates Lloyd, were pharmacists who manufactured and studied botanical drugs in the late 19th century. They amassed a large number of antique and contemporary books on the medicinal use of plants and related subjects. Their collection became the Lloyd research library and museum.
“So what is in the Lloyd Library? Our core subject is medicinal plants, which is very specific and very weird. There’s no place else really quite like it. But it all goes back to the Lloyd brothers’ research interests and their professional work. We include a lot of subjects…mycology, pharmacy, chemistry, natural history, horticulture, alternative medicine,” Kruthhoffer said.
She invited participants to visit the museum. The current exhibit, “Sylvan Roots” is devoted to the historical study of trees. Sylvan comes from the Latin word for wood or forest, she explained. The exhibit runs until March 24.
Participants also had the opportunity to hear from local groups and learn about volunteer opportunities. Some organizations represented were the Boone County Arboretum, Ohio Valley Forest Fellowship, the Campbell Conservancy and the Northern Kentucky Urban Forestry Council. Local garden and tree care businesses were also on hand, including Ammon Nursery and Bartlett Tree Experts, sponsors of the event.
For more on Taking Root, go to takingroot.info. Next year’s Great Tree Summit is planned for Hamilton, Ohio.