2015 Annual Support Campaign
1
2015 Annual Support Campaign Please consider supporting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County by making a tax-deductible contribution. Your donation will assist us in providing research-based educational programs to thousands of Jefferson County residents in 2015. Thank you for your support! _____$15
_____$25
_____$50
_____$100 _____$250
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Other $_____________
Phone: _______________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ____ Zip: __________ E-mail:
_____
_____________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Please make my gift In Honor Of or In Memory Of (circle one): _______________________________________________________________
Would you like to receive our publications? If so, please check your areas of interest. ____ Agriculture & Natural Resources/Ag Classifieds ____Horticulture ____4-H Youth Development 2
Most of us have heard of the ‘deadly nightshade’- an evil, poisonous plant used throughout history by assassins and spies. Historically, the nightshade poison of choice was belladonna. It is native to Eurasia, but it does grow wild in parts of the U.S. All parts of the plant are toxic and contain the alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. The roots have the highest concentration of alkaloids, but the berrylike fruits are the most dangerous. They are shiny black in color with an initial sweet taste- this makes them attractive to children. Ingestion of just a couple of berries can be deadly. Belladonna was used by Roman soldiers to make poison-tipped arrows. Oil derived from the plant causes the pupils to dilate and this was used by Venetian women to make them appear more attractive. Belladonna was later used in medicine as an anesthetic. And, according to legend, belladonna is what causes the broomsticks of witches to levitate!
alkaloid, as does Horsenettle- which is doubly nasty do to its spine-like prickles. The invasive Chinese lanterns and tobacco are also members of the nightshade family. So with poisons, hallucinogens, and witch-craft what we have is one of the most feared plant families on the planet… but the potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper are also in the nightshade family! We eat all of these without a problem, except for maybe heartburn, or in the case of hot peppers, mouth-burn! All of these common vegetables (botanically they are a fruit - a berry) were looked at with great suspicion by Europeans because of their evil associates; people would not consume them. Another part of the problem was that potato, tomato, and pepper are native to the western hemisphere. Europeans were slow to accept these nutritious foods.
Because of this, the nightshades have acquired a nasty reputation, and rightly so. The family contains over 2,300 species that are most common in tropical and warm temperate regions like Central and South America. All of these species have toxic properties and some can be found growing as weeds right here in northern New York:
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are native to the Peruvian Andes where 200+ varieties were domesticated over 7,000 years ago. They were introduced to Spain by conquistadors where they spread through Europe. Because they were a nightshade people thought consumption would lead to leprosy or tuberculosis. Potatoes were an acceptable meal only for the poor or for livestock. This all changed as Europe’s population began to increase and high calorie foods were needed. In the seventeenth century potatoes became an important part of the European diet. Potatoes do have toxic qualities in the leaves and in the tubers. If the tubers are left in the sun they begin to turn green and produce solanine. That is why we store potatoes in a dark place. Consumption on green raw or cooked potatoes can lead to gastrointestinal and neurological problems.
Jimson-weed, also called Datura or angel’s trumpet is sometimes valued as an ornamental because of its large, white trumpeting flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous to livestock and humans; if ingested they can cause hallucinations. Touching the plant may cause a rash in sensitive people. The seeds are the most toxic, but they are enclosed in a prickly, egg-shaped capsule. The ground cherry (Physalis spp) also has poisonous leaves and unripe fruit. It is especially toxic to sheep. Interestingly enough, the ripe fruits are not toxic and are used to make jams and pies.
Tomatoes (Lycopersicon) are also native to the Peruvian Andes and were probably introduced to Florida and Europe by Spanish explorers. The leaves of tomatoes are toxic, and again, they were looked at with suspicion by Europeans. Thought to be associated with werewolves and witchcraft, tomatoes were avoided for hundreds of years.
Then there are a few other weedy plants that have the common name ‘nightshade’ - bittersweet nightshade, eastern black nightshade, and hairy nightshade (Solanum spp). The leaves and fruit contain solanine, a poisonous 3
Concluded on next page...
Wild Trees
They began to be accepted for livestock and as specimen ornamentals, but they weren’t used as food until the early 1800’s. Jefferson planted tomatoes in his gardens and experimented with recipes. According to an old story, tomatoes were accepted in the US in 1820 after Colonel Robert Johnson consumed a bushel of tomatoes in front of the Boston courthouse without dropping dead.
Paul Hetzler, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County
Fall is a good time for planting trees and shrubs. Also it's a good time for football, hunting, stamp collecting, and a host of other things, but that’s beside the point. Autumn is typically cool and wet, which is ideal planting weather, and in addition, garden centers and nurseries often mark down inventory to clear the slate for next season. While nursery stock may be planted any time the ground can be worked, outcomes are better (and prices lower) in the fall.
Peppers (Capsicum), which are native to the tropical western hemisphere, were introduced to Europe by Columbus. They became a substitute for the valued Old World black pepper (Piper nigrum). For this reason they were probably more readily accepted than tomatoes. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is native to India and was introduced to Europe and Africa by Arabs. It was then introduced to the Americas by African slaves. Thought to be a type of squash, they were called ‘guinea squash’. They were considered dangerous and were grown only as ornamentals. By the early nineteenth century southern cooks began using eggplant in recipes.
However, if you’ve had your eye on a wild tree that you’d like to dig up and plant in the yard, there’s a significant advantage to doing so now. Once all the leaves are off, established trees go dormant and are less likely to object if you dig them up and move them. Just make sure you have permission, or it’s not just the tree’s objections you’ll have to worry about.
As a toxic plant family, the nighshades have become a common part of our diet. Just think about how many foods you eat that contain either tomatoes or potatoes. Nightshades have come a long way!
Look for a specimen with a central trunk and wellspaced branches. It’s preferable to go for a small tree over an impressive one—small trees establish themselves more quickly with less transplant shock and more often than not will surpass the “impressive” tree in a few years. The root zone is at least twice the branch length and extends roughly twelve inches deep, so when you dig, go as far out as you can manage. Keep the roots covered when moving the tree.
RAINFALL 2014
The planting hole should be saucer-shaped and twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. It’s essential that the tree be set at the same depth it was growing originally and that the root ball rests on hard, undisturbed soil. Unless you’re planting in highly compacted soil or construction fill, the soil in the planting hole probably does not need any amendments. If additional organic matter is needed, though, go for some rich compost over peat moss, and definitely do not put any under the root ball. Mulch around the tree (pull mulch away from the trunk) and keep it watered right through midDecember. Hold off on any fertilizer the first year, and do not stake your new tree, unless you went for the really impressive eight-footer. Movement is what creates a strong trunk, much the way exercise strengthens us.
For the most rainfall in a 24-hour period, we have a tie this year. On August 20 Alan Horton of Theresa recorded 2.4 inches. On August 21, Carolyn Marlow of Brownville also recorded 2.4 inches.
Have fun rounding up those free wild trees, but keep it legal and don’t become a tree rustler. That can only be done when the leaves are on, anyway. 4
The eastern hemlock is an integral part of our northern forests. These long-lived (300 to 600 years!) and shade tolerant trees provide many ecological benefits. They prevent erosion by stabilizing soil; they help maintain cool stream water temperatures, which are critical for aquatic insects and brook trout; they provide habitat for neotropical migrant birds; and they are important for recreation.
The HWA can be controlled with insecticides, but timing is critical. Sprays are only effective when the crawlers are active and this is difficult to determine. Trunk injections are more effective but are expensive and must be done by an arborist or licensed pesticide applicator. Healthy, specimen trees can be protected, but we cannot protect all the hemlocks in a forest until effective bio-controls can be developed. (Research is underway and several HWA predators show promise.) Here are several things the general public can do to help in the fight against HWA: 1. Report any suspected infestations to your local Cornell Cooperative Extension. 2. Keep bird feeders away from hemlock treesbirds can vector the crawlers. 3. If hiking, be aware that transport of the crawlers is possible in March through June. 4. If purchasing hemlocks (eastern and Carolina), inspect the trees closely. 5. Maintain hemlock health and avoid drought conditions. 6. DO NOT fertilize hemlock trees with nitrogen! This will make the trees more attractive to the HWA and increase populations that may already exist in the tree.
Unfortunately these majestic trees are being threatened by a tiny insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Similar to an aphid, the adelgid feeds at the base of hemlock needles, depleting nutrient resources. Introduced to the US from Asia in 1924, the HWA has infested counties roughly along the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine. In New York it has moved into the southeast, Finger Lakes, and western parts of the state. The closet infestation to Jefferson County is in Cayuga County. The HWA is a parthenogenic insect, which means that the majority of the population is female. The adults are all female and they have female offspring. This leads to a greater reproductive output. Each female can lay 300 eggs and there are two generations per year. When the eggs hatch the crawler stage of the insect moves to the base of a needle, inserts a straw-like stylus and hunkers down. The crawler then covers itself with white cottony filaments which form a mass. At that point the crawler becomes resistant to insecticide applications. Under the cottony cover the HWA matures into an adult which emerges to reproduce.
Master Gardeners at Work in the Community Master Gardeners were on-hand at the Nature Center on Wellesley Island for ‘Autumn Fest’. Master Gardener Chris Greene helps children make herbscented sachets.
An HWA infestation is most easily recognized by the white, woolly masses along the twigs at the base of the needles. Feeding by the HWA leads to desiccation of the needles, stunting, bud mortality, and die back of twigs and limbs. This process makes the tree more susceptible to secondary insects, disease, and drought. Mortality occurs within 10 years.
Photo by Boni Shafer 5
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry
Confusion
Sue Gwise, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County Thanks to CCE’s nutrition department, here are a couple of cranberry recipes to try this holiday season!
1 12-ounce package (2 cups) whole cranberries 1/2 cup sugar 1 apple, chopped 1 cup water Dash of salt
Makes 3 1/2 cups
Directions: Wash berries and lift from water into a large saucepan. Add sugar, water, chopped apple and salt. Stir to mix ingredients. Cover sauce pan and set on heat. Cook only until berries start to pop. Remove lid and lightly stir, using care not to crush berries. Cook two minutes. Let the mixture boil up; then boil one minute longer.
A
staple of our holiday meals is the cranberry. Whether you have that special recipe for cranberry sauce, or you add the berries to stuffing and breads, or if you just slide it out of a can, most people will not go without this truly American fruit. If you speak to a botanist about cranberries you’ll have to use the Latin name for there are two types of plants that have the common name of ‘cranberry’: the lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and the highbush cranberry (Viburnum tribolum or V. opulus ‘Americana’). The lowbush cranberry is the one that adorns our holiday table.
For more recipes and healthy tips, like the Adopting Healthy Habits page on Facebook! 6
A member of the Heath Family, the lowbush cranberry is a true cranberry and is related to blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons. It is an evergreen, perennial groundcover that is native to the swamps and bogs of North America. Lowbush cranberries can be found wild from the Canadian Maritimes south to Georgia and west to Minnesota. The horizontal stems of the plant root along the soil surface forming a dense mat. Flowers appear in May and June and the fruit ripen September to October.
American variety, has very astringent fruit; plus it is not native so it doesn’t really contribute anything to our native ecosystem. Producers have recently been looking into using the tasty viburnums in commercial farms- referred to as ‘upland’ or ‘dry’ cranberry production. Native Americans used cranberries in foods, as a dye, and as medicine. Dutch and German settlers coined the name ‘craneberry’ because the flowers of the Vaccinium species apparently resemble the head of a crane. The first Thanksgiving probably did not include cranberries. Colonists learned of cranberries from Native Americans most likely at a later time. Native Americans also introduced colonists to pennicum, a high energy food that was also used by explorers and fur traders. Dried bison, moose, elk, or deer meat was pounded into flour and combined with dried cranberries. Sort of like a granola bar for the 17th century!
The lowbush cranberry is the one that is seen in TV commercials featuring the two people standing in a flooded field. Commercial lowbush cranberries are grown in fields that are flooded to facilitate harvest. The ripe berries float and are easily ‘raked’ up. Flooding also controls insects and prevents frost damage, but it is not necessary. You can grow your own cranberries and just pick them by hand which is not feasible for large producers.
Apple-Cranberry Stuffed Winter Squash
Lowbush cranberries are readily available and can be planted in the spring or fall. The plants prefer a soil that is acidic and high in organic matter. That is why you don’t see many wild cranberries in Jefferson County- our soils are too alkaline. They don’t do well in clay soils either, but in a raised bed where you can control the acidity and add lots or organic matter, low bush cranberries will grow very well. Just remember that cranberries have a fine, shallow root system- most of the roots are in the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. So be careful when weeding the first couple of years. Once the plants develop into a mat, heavy weeding shouldn’t be necessary.
5 acorn squash 1 12-ounce bag of cranberries, washed 4 large apples 1/2 to 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup quick cooking oatmeal 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 stick butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 to 3/4 cup orange juice, apple cider or apple juice
The highbush cranberry is also native to North America, but it is in the Honeysuckle Family and is related to the elderberry. These cranberries taste and look just like the lowbush, or commercial cranberry, but they are produced on a bush that grows about 15 feet tall. With their formal, rounded shape, highbush cranberries have been used primarily as an ornamental. In the landscape they work well as a hedge or screen. The red berries persist into the winter and contrast nicely against snow.
Directions: Wash squash. Cut 1/2 (lengthwise). Scoop out seeds and discard. If you want you can keep the seeds to rinse, drain and toast later. Microwave squash for 15 to 20 minutes. Take out and set aside.
White flower clusters, or cymes, are 3 to 4 inches across and develop in late May. The plants are hardy to zone 4 and are less fussy of soil conditions than lowbush cranberries. Just don’t plant them in dry areas—water stress will cause the plants to decline. They transplant easily and will tolerate partial shade.
Meanwhile, wash, peel, slice, and chop apples. Melt butter in large skillet. Add apples and cranberries to skillet. Sauté on low until apples just start to soften and cranberries start to burst; add juice, walnut and cinnamon. Heat one minute more and stir in oatmeal and brown sugar. Remove from heat and fill squash with mixture. Bake in baking pan in oven at 350° for 25 minutes more or until squash is tender and mixture is lightly browned.
The berries are edible only if you purchase the correct species and/or variety. If you intend to eat the fruit make sure you get Viburnum tribolum (American cranberrybush viburnum) or Viburnum opulus variety ‘Americana.’ If you get just Viburnum opulus, you will end up with the European cranberrybush. This species, without the 7
Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County 203 North Hamilton Street Watertown, NY 13601-2948
Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Permit #242 WATERTOWN NY
8
203 North Hamilton Street, Watertown, New York 13601 Phone: 315-788-8450 Email: [email protected] Web: ccejefferson.org www.facebook.com/ccejefferson
2015 Annual Support Campaign Please consider supporting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County by making a tax-deductible contribution. Your donation will assist us in providing research-based educational programs to thousands of Jefferson County residents in 2015. Thank you for your support! _____$15
_____$25
_____$50
_____$100 _____$250
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Other $_____________
Phone: _______________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ____ Zip: __________ E-mail:
_____
_____________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Please make my gift In Honor Of or In Memory Of (circle one): _______________________________________________________________
Would you like to receive our publications? If so, please check your areas of interest. ____ Agriculture & Natural Resources/Ag Classifieds ____Horticulture ____4-H Youth Development 2
Most of us have heard of the ‘deadly nightshade’- an evil, poisonous plant used throughout history by assassins and spies. Historically, the nightshade poison of choice was belladonna. It is native to Eurasia, but it does grow wild in parts of the U.S. All parts of the plant are toxic and contain the alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. The roots have the highest concentration of alkaloids, but the berrylike fruits are the most dangerous. They are shiny black in color with an initial sweet taste- this makes them attractive to children. Ingestion of just a couple of berries can be deadly. Belladonna was used by Roman soldiers to make poison-tipped arrows. Oil derived from the plant causes the pupils to dilate and this was used by Venetian women to make them appear more attractive. Belladonna was later used in medicine as an anesthetic. And, according to legend, belladonna is what causes the broomsticks of witches to levitate!
alkaloid, as does Horsenettle- which is doubly nasty do to its spine-like prickles. The invasive Chinese lanterns and tobacco are also members of the nightshade family. So with poisons, hallucinogens, and witch-craft what we have is one of the most feared plant families on the planet… but the potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper are also in the nightshade family! We eat all of these without a problem, except for maybe heartburn, or in the case of hot peppers, mouth-burn! All of these common vegetables (botanically they are a fruit - a berry) were looked at with great suspicion by Europeans because of their evil associates; people would not consume them. Another part of the problem was that potato, tomato, and pepper are native to the western hemisphere. Europeans were slow to accept these nutritious foods.
Because of this, the nightshades have acquired a nasty reputation, and rightly so. The family contains over 2,300 species that are most common in tropical and warm temperate regions like Central and South America. All of these species have toxic properties and some can be found growing as weeds right here in northern New York:
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are native to the Peruvian Andes where 200+ varieties were domesticated over 7,000 years ago. They were introduced to Spain by conquistadors where they spread through Europe. Because they were a nightshade people thought consumption would lead to leprosy or tuberculosis. Potatoes were an acceptable meal only for the poor or for livestock. This all changed as Europe’s population began to increase and high calorie foods were needed. In the seventeenth century potatoes became an important part of the European diet. Potatoes do have toxic qualities in the leaves and in the tubers. If the tubers are left in the sun they begin to turn green and produce solanine. That is why we store potatoes in a dark place. Consumption on green raw or cooked potatoes can lead to gastrointestinal and neurological problems.
Jimson-weed, also called Datura or angel’s trumpet is sometimes valued as an ornamental because of its large, white trumpeting flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous to livestock and humans; if ingested they can cause hallucinations. Touching the plant may cause a rash in sensitive people. The seeds are the most toxic, but they are enclosed in a prickly, egg-shaped capsule. The ground cherry (Physalis spp) also has poisonous leaves and unripe fruit. It is especially toxic to sheep. Interestingly enough, the ripe fruits are not toxic and are used to make jams and pies.
Tomatoes (Lycopersicon) are also native to the Peruvian Andes and were probably introduced to Florida and Europe by Spanish explorers. The leaves of tomatoes are toxic, and again, they were looked at with suspicion by Europeans. Thought to be associated with werewolves and witchcraft, tomatoes were avoided for hundreds of years.
Then there are a few other weedy plants that have the common name ‘nightshade’ - bittersweet nightshade, eastern black nightshade, and hairy nightshade (Solanum spp). The leaves and fruit contain solanine, a poisonous 3
Concluded on next page...
Wild Trees
They began to be accepted for livestock and as specimen ornamentals, but they weren’t used as food until the early 1800’s. Jefferson planted tomatoes in his gardens and experimented with recipes. According to an old story, tomatoes were accepted in the US in 1820 after Colonel Robert Johnson consumed a bushel of tomatoes in front of the Boston courthouse without dropping dead.
Paul Hetzler, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County
Fall is a good time for planting trees and shrubs. Also it's a good time for football, hunting, stamp collecting, and a host of other things, but that’s beside the point. Autumn is typically cool and wet, which is ideal planting weather, and in addition, garden centers and nurseries often mark down inventory to clear the slate for next season. While nursery stock may be planted any time the ground can be worked, outcomes are better (and prices lower) in the fall.
Peppers (Capsicum), which are native to the tropical western hemisphere, were introduced to Europe by Columbus. They became a substitute for the valued Old World black pepper (Piper nigrum). For this reason they were probably more readily accepted than tomatoes. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is native to India and was introduced to Europe and Africa by Arabs. It was then introduced to the Americas by African slaves. Thought to be a type of squash, they were called ‘guinea squash’. They were considered dangerous and were grown only as ornamentals. By the early nineteenth century southern cooks began using eggplant in recipes.
However, if you’ve had your eye on a wild tree that you’d like to dig up and plant in the yard, there’s a significant advantage to doing so now. Once all the leaves are off, established trees go dormant and are less likely to object if you dig them up and move them. Just make sure you have permission, or it’s not just the tree’s objections you’ll have to worry about.
As a toxic plant family, the nighshades have become a common part of our diet. Just think about how many foods you eat that contain either tomatoes or potatoes. Nightshades have come a long way!
Look for a specimen with a central trunk and wellspaced branches. It’s preferable to go for a small tree over an impressive one—small trees establish themselves more quickly with less transplant shock and more often than not will surpass the “impressive” tree in a few years. The root zone is at least twice the branch length and extends roughly twelve inches deep, so when you dig, go as far out as you can manage. Keep the roots covered when moving the tree.
RAINFALL 2014
The planting hole should be saucer-shaped and twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. It’s essential that the tree be set at the same depth it was growing originally and that the root ball rests on hard, undisturbed soil. Unless you’re planting in highly compacted soil or construction fill, the soil in the planting hole probably does not need any amendments. If additional organic matter is needed, though, go for some rich compost over peat moss, and definitely do not put any under the root ball. Mulch around the tree (pull mulch away from the trunk) and keep it watered right through midDecember. Hold off on any fertilizer the first year, and do not stake your new tree, unless you went for the really impressive eight-footer. Movement is what creates a strong trunk, much the way exercise strengthens us.
For the most rainfall in a 24-hour period, we have a tie this year. On August 20 Alan Horton of Theresa recorded 2.4 inches. On August 21, Carolyn Marlow of Brownville also recorded 2.4 inches.
Have fun rounding up those free wild trees, but keep it legal and don’t become a tree rustler. That can only be done when the leaves are on, anyway. 4
The eastern hemlock is an integral part of our northern forests. These long-lived (300 to 600 years!) and shade tolerant trees provide many ecological benefits. They prevent erosion by stabilizing soil; they help maintain cool stream water temperatures, which are critical for aquatic insects and brook trout; they provide habitat for neotropical migrant birds; and they are important for recreation.
The HWA can be controlled with insecticides, but timing is critical. Sprays are only effective when the crawlers are active and this is difficult to determine. Trunk injections are more effective but are expensive and must be done by an arborist or licensed pesticide applicator. Healthy, specimen trees can be protected, but we cannot protect all the hemlocks in a forest until effective bio-controls can be developed. (Research is underway and several HWA predators show promise.) Here are several things the general public can do to help in the fight against HWA: 1. Report any suspected infestations to your local Cornell Cooperative Extension. 2. Keep bird feeders away from hemlock treesbirds can vector the crawlers. 3. If hiking, be aware that transport of the crawlers is possible in March through June. 4. If purchasing hemlocks (eastern and Carolina), inspect the trees closely. 5. Maintain hemlock health and avoid drought conditions. 6. DO NOT fertilize hemlock trees with nitrogen! This will make the trees more attractive to the HWA and increase populations that may already exist in the tree.
Unfortunately these majestic trees are being threatened by a tiny insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Similar to an aphid, the adelgid feeds at the base of hemlock needles, depleting nutrient resources. Introduced to the US from Asia in 1924, the HWA has infested counties roughly along the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine. In New York it has moved into the southeast, Finger Lakes, and western parts of the state. The closet infestation to Jefferson County is in Cayuga County. The HWA is a parthenogenic insect, which means that the majority of the population is female. The adults are all female and they have female offspring. This leads to a greater reproductive output. Each female can lay 300 eggs and there are two generations per year. When the eggs hatch the crawler stage of the insect moves to the base of a needle, inserts a straw-like stylus and hunkers down. The crawler then covers itself with white cottony filaments which form a mass. At that point the crawler becomes resistant to insecticide applications. Under the cottony cover the HWA matures into an adult which emerges to reproduce.
Master Gardeners at Work in the Community Master Gardeners were on-hand at the Nature Center on Wellesley Island for ‘Autumn Fest’. Master Gardener Chris Greene helps children make herbscented sachets.
An HWA infestation is most easily recognized by the white, woolly masses along the twigs at the base of the needles. Feeding by the HWA leads to desiccation of the needles, stunting, bud mortality, and die back of twigs and limbs. This process makes the tree more susceptible to secondary insects, disease, and drought. Mortality occurs within 10 years.
Photo by Boni Shafer 5
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry
Confusion
Sue Gwise, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County Thanks to CCE’s nutrition department, here are a couple of cranberry recipes to try this holiday season!
1 12-ounce package (2 cups) whole cranberries 1/2 cup sugar 1 apple, chopped 1 cup water Dash of salt
Makes 3 1/2 cups
Directions: Wash berries and lift from water into a large saucepan. Add sugar, water, chopped apple and salt. Stir to mix ingredients. Cover sauce pan and set on heat. Cook only until berries start to pop. Remove lid and lightly stir, using care not to crush berries. Cook two minutes. Let the mixture boil up; then boil one minute longer.
A
staple of our holiday meals is the cranberry. Whether you have that special recipe for cranberry sauce, or you add the berries to stuffing and breads, or if you just slide it out of a can, most people will not go without this truly American fruit. If you speak to a botanist about cranberries you’ll have to use the Latin name for there are two types of plants that have the common name of ‘cranberry’: the lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and the highbush cranberry (Viburnum tribolum or V. opulus ‘Americana’). The lowbush cranberry is the one that adorns our holiday table.
For more recipes and healthy tips, like the Adopting Healthy Habits page on Facebook! 6
A member of the Heath Family, the lowbush cranberry is a true cranberry and is related to blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons. It is an evergreen, perennial groundcover that is native to the swamps and bogs of North America. Lowbush cranberries can be found wild from the Canadian Maritimes south to Georgia and west to Minnesota. The horizontal stems of the plant root along the soil surface forming a dense mat. Flowers appear in May and June and the fruit ripen September to October.
American variety, has very astringent fruit; plus it is not native so it doesn’t really contribute anything to our native ecosystem. Producers have recently been looking into using the tasty viburnums in commercial farms- referred to as ‘upland’ or ‘dry’ cranberry production. Native Americans used cranberries in foods, as a dye, and as medicine. Dutch and German settlers coined the name ‘craneberry’ because the flowers of the Vaccinium species apparently resemble the head of a crane. The first Thanksgiving probably did not include cranberries. Colonists learned of cranberries from Native Americans most likely at a later time. Native Americans also introduced colonists to pennicum, a high energy food that was also used by explorers and fur traders. Dried bison, moose, elk, or deer meat was pounded into flour and combined with dried cranberries. Sort of like a granola bar for the 17th century!
The lowbush cranberry is the one that is seen in TV commercials featuring the two people standing in a flooded field. Commercial lowbush cranberries are grown in fields that are flooded to facilitate harvest. The ripe berries float and are easily ‘raked’ up. Flooding also controls insects and prevents frost damage, but it is not necessary. You can grow your own cranberries and just pick them by hand which is not feasible for large producers.
Apple-Cranberry Stuffed Winter Squash
Lowbush cranberries are readily available and can be planted in the spring or fall. The plants prefer a soil that is acidic and high in organic matter. That is why you don’t see many wild cranberries in Jefferson County- our soils are too alkaline. They don’t do well in clay soils either, but in a raised bed where you can control the acidity and add lots or organic matter, low bush cranberries will grow very well. Just remember that cranberries have a fine, shallow root system- most of the roots are in the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. So be careful when weeding the first couple of years. Once the plants develop into a mat, heavy weeding shouldn’t be necessary.
5 acorn squash 1 12-ounce bag of cranberries, washed 4 large apples 1/2 to 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup quick cooking oatmeal 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 stick butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 to 3/4 cup orange juice, apple cider or apple juice
The highbush cranberry is also native to North America, but it is in the Honeysuckle Family and is related to the elderberry. These cranberries taste and look just like the lowbush, or commercial cranberry, but they are produced on a bush that grows about 15 feet tall. With their formal, rounded shape, highbush cranberries have been used primarily as an ornamental. In the landscape they work well as a hedge or screen. The red berries persist into the winter and contrast nicely against snow.
Directions: Wash squash. Cut 1/2 (lengthwise). Scoop out seeds and discard. If you want you can keep the seeds to rinse, drain and toast later. Microwave squash for 15 to 20 minutes. Take out and set aside.
White flower clusters, or cymes, are 3 to 4 inches across and develop in late May. The plants are hardy to zone 4 and are less fussy of soil conditions than lowbush cranberries. Just don’t plant them in dry areas—water stress will cause the plants to decline. They transplant easily and will tolerate partial shade.
Meanwhile, wash, peel, slice, and chop apples. Melt butter in large skillet. Add apples and cranberries to skillet. Sauté on low until apples just start to soften and cranberries start to burst; add juice, walnut and cinnamon. Heat one minute more and stir in oatmeal and brown sugar. Remove from heat and fill squash with mixture. Bake in baking pan in oven at 350° for 25 minutes more or until squash is tender and mixture is lightly browned.
The berries are edible only if you purchase the correct species and/or variety. If you intend to eat the fruit make sure you get Viburnum tribolum (American cranberrybush viburnum) or Viburnum opulus variety ‘Americana.’ If you get just Viburnum opulus, you will end up with the European cranberrybush. This species, without the 7
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