Why are some trees painter white?

One of the best things about nature is that it’s always changing. Each season brings its distinctive colors, and with that comes joy and feelings of excitement. From pinkish blossoms to yellow leaves, nature is breathtaking all-year-round.

However, there are trees out there whose trunks are white, and that’s not because of the seasons, but because people paint them, and now you’ll learn why.

One of the reasons is because the white color protects the bark from sunscald, which is basically the plant version of sunburns, a condition that causes damage to the cambium layers and leads to dehydration. The white color acts like sunblock and prevents cracking.

In case the bark splits, it becomes more vulnerable to insects, fungus, and other diseases.

This painting is usually done during the winter when fluctuating temperatures from chilly nights to sunny days can damage the bark.

“This type of painting is typically done on thin-barked residential trees or orchards,” says Christopher Evans, extension forestry and research specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Painting the trunks white is said to moderate the daytime heating of the bark and lessen the chances of sunscald injury.”

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If damaged from sudden thaws and freezes, trees, especially those bearing fruit, are left in a vulnerable state. In cases of severe injury, the damage can be fatal and by applying heavy latex paint (or a specially designed formula) to a tree trunk can help protect trees from harsh winter weather.

Other reasons are that painter tree trunks are more visible, especially when they are planted near the road. This may prevent any accidents as drivers are aware there are trees out there.

Basically, it marks the tree in an inconspicuous way,” Ken Fisher, assistant forester for the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department, said. “A lot of people don’t even notice it, but it alerts our contractor that this is the tree we’re talking about. We’ve been using paint dots for 25 years or so now, so some trees have several paint dots on them.” 

Forest trees also get paint to indicate which of them is hazardous or safe, or simply mark private property.

“In some places, trees with nests of rare or endangered species are marked,” Evans says. “That is the case with the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker in the Southern United States. Their tree nests are generally marked with a white paint ring.

Basically, there aren’t any hard and fast standardizations for the use of marking paint in forestry.

That can lead to confusion when trying to generalize the meaning of different symbols and colors.

For example, an X often means the tree should be cut, and numbers show a tally before a harvest.

This is how to paint the trees properly.

Never use an oil-based paint, which will not allow the tree to respirate. It’s best to use water-based latex paint diluted to the ratio of one-gallon latex with four or five quarts of water. Look for paint with an organic base to avoid additives that could damage the plants.

You can apply the color using a paintbrush. If you don’t like to use white color, choose what suits you best, but avoid dark shades.

It’s enough to paint the trunks only once, but in case you reside in an area with extreme weather conditions, you may reaplly paint once a year.

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Little boy hugs pizza delivery man goodbye: Shortly after, the boy’s mother makes a tragic discovery

“You never know what someone is going through. Be kind. Always!”

Even the tiniest act of kindness can sometimes go a long way, and the following story, which tugs at our heartstrings, is the perfect proof of that.

A woman named Lindsey Sheely of West Warwick, Rhode Island, ordered a pizza one night. As she got out of the house to pick up her order, her two-year-old son Cohen rushed after her and gave the delivery man a hug. The little one simply stretched his arms towards the man, and the man was happy to give Cohen a hug back.

As this heartwarming scene was caught by a camera built into Lindsey’s doorbell, she decided to share it on her social media in order to spread some positivity. What she didn’t know, however, was that her son’s act meant the world to the delivery man.

As her video got shared many times, she received a message by a man named Ryan Catterson who said to be the delivery man her child hugged. He asked for a permission to share her video. She was of course glad he wanted to do that, but as she went through his profile, she realized that he lost his 16-year-old daughter Alyssa the week earlier.

“After losing my daughter the previous week, it hit me because it felt like she was there. It really meant a lot to me,” Ryan told WLNE.

Realizing the impact of her son’s hug on Ryan, Lindsay called it ‘a little blessing from God.’

“I believe in divine intervention and know that Ryan was the one who delivered our pizza for a reason,” she said.

That hug came at the right time and was exactly what this grieving father needed.

“It was almost as if the universe or my daughter had sent it to me,” he told NBC 10 News.

Lindsay says, “You never know what people are going through. This is a good example of that,” and we can’t agree more.

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‘Three’s Company’ star dead at 76

Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers dies aged 76, a day before her 77th birthday, after decades-long cancer battle.

She was best known for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company.

The news of her passing has been shared by her publicist R Couri Hay.

The statement he released said, “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.

“She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family.

“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”

It was in July of this year that the actress and businesswoman informed her fans that her cancer had returned.

“As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down.

“I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter.”

She also praised her husband, Alan Hamel, who she said had been by her side “every step of the way”.

“I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever”, she added. “My incredible family has been so supportive.”

Other roles she’s known for include Sheriff Hildy Granger in She’s the Sheriff, Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step, and more.

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Suzanne’s latest TV credits include co-hosting Candid Camera, her own talk show The Suzanne Show, and an appearance on Dancing with the Stars.

Among the rest, she published over 25 books, covering topics such as wellness, sex and weight loss, as well as her 1988 memoir Keeping Secrets.

Suzanne and her husband Alan were married for 46 years.

Before she passed away, he gave her an early birthday present. According to the couple’s friends, Alan gave his beloved wife “a handwritten love poem wrapped in her favorite pink peonies.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Somers and his loved ones at this time.

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Alarming update on US Olympic hero – ‘fighting for her life’ in ICU

Mary Lou Retton, a celebrated former Olympic gymnast, is “fighting for her life” in intensive care as she struggles with a rare form of pneumonia, reports claim.

According to a statement released by her family, 55-year-old Retton “is not able to breathe on her own.”

“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own, her daughter McKenna Kelley wrote.

“She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she is not insured.

“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.

“ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!”

Retton became a household name after she won the individual all-around gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, becoming one of the most famous athletes to have ever competed in the sport.

As result of her achievements, she appeared on numerous movies and TV shows during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1984, Sports Illustrated honored her as Sportsperson of the Year.

In an attempt to help the family with the medical bills, Retton’s daughter started a GoFundMe. Just how much admiration and respect people have for Retton is the fact that over 8,000 people made donation in a short period of time.

The initial goal was to raise $50,000, but so far the amount stands at a staggering $435,000.

People not only from the States but from other countries from the world have been sending their wishes for a speedy recovery.

Following her retirement from gymnastics, Retton became a motivational speaker. She also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under former President George W. Bush.

Latest update confirms that Retton’s condition is improving. “Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered. Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. Her fighting spirit is truly shining! Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing,” her daughter wrote.

We hope Mary Lou Retton will recover completely in the days to come.

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David McCallum hated this one thing about Mark Harmon on the ‘NCIS’ set – real reason revealed

Over the course of his long and very successful career, late actor David McCallum played a number of iconic characters.

With his parents being professional musicians, his dad, David Sr., worked as an orchestral violinist for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, his mother, Dorothy, as a cellist, everyone assumed McCallum would choose the same career path. Well, it’s not that he didn’t, because besides being a famous name in the film industry, he’s also a musician who released four albums with Capitol Records during the mid 60’s.

Speaking of his love for music, McCallum once said, “I always knew that I could turn to music if I failed as an actor.”

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Acting, however, became his passion the moment he stepped on stage for the first time.

“I played The Little Prince in Shakespeare’s King John, at one of those local things where people do skits and songs. Mine was the little prince having his eyes put out by this terrible man, and I acted it, evidently, very well, because I got a standing ovation. I wasn’t more than eight,” he recalled.

“And I said: ‘Hey, hey, hey, this is kinda cool!’ I don’t know if I consciously thought it, but I had found the place I wanted to be: on a stage, with the lights and make-up and the people. I’m exactly the same to this day; the feeling has never left.”

Initially, he attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, but left it for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

The Scottish born actor eventually left his home country in order to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. He had his breakthrough with the series The Man From U.N.C.L.E where he played secret agent Illya Kuryakin. For his incredible performance, he was nominated for two Emmy Awards.

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His most recent role was that of quirky Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the hit series NCIS in which he played alongside Mark Harmon and Cote de Pablo.

Sadly, McCallum passed away on September 25, 2023.

“David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world,” the NCIS tribute said.

“He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away.”

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McCallum once referred to NCIS as to his “Rock of Gibraltar,” mainly because of his working relationship with Mark Harmon. That feeling was mutual, to say the least.

“I’ll always remember David McCallum,” Harmon said in 2019. “And I thought that from day one here, because I thought how fortunate this entire cast, whoever it is, is lucky enough to work with him and watch his work ethic every day. And take from his experience, what he’s had in this industry, for a number of years, in different shows.”

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Harmon played practical jokes on everyone on set, but not on McCallum. Why? Because he didn’t have the nerve to do so.

In early 2016, David McCallum set up an AMA (Ask Me Anything) thread on the popular social media platform Reddit. Among the rest, they asked plenty of question about the cast of NCIS.

One person wanted to know if Harmon ever played a prank on McCallum, to what the actor answered: “Mark Harmon knows I am not the type to be toyed with.”

Harmon appeared in his last episode as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on Monday, October 9, 2022. He left the show after starring in 435 episodes – 18 less than David McCallum.

The two were not only co-stars but great friends as well.

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How to grow your own lemon tree from seed

Lemons are the most popular citrus fruits. They grow on trees and are in fact a hybrid of the original citron and lime.

Although consuming the fruit by itself isn’t the nicest way of enjoying its benefits because of its distinctive bitter and sour flavor, it goes well with cakes, juices, and as a refreshing lemonade.

A great source of vitamin C and fiber, lemons contain many plant compounds, minerals, and essential oils.

The good thing is that if you are a fan of lemons, you can now grow a lemon tree yourself. All you need to have is a single lemon seed.

We provide you with a step-by-step instruction on how to grow a lemon tree from seed.

1. Start with organic lemons.

The first step is purchasing an organic lemon because non-organic lemons have non-germinating seeds that don’t sprout. Simply choose a ripe lemon and extract its seeds.

2. Prepare potting soil

Go for a well-draining soil mix. A mixture of vermiculite, perlite, peat, and organic fertilizer provides adequate drainage and essential nutrients. Simply pour the soil into a bucket and water it until damp.

3. Chose the right pot

It’s essential that you get a pot large enough for your lemon tree to grow the way it’s supposed to. If you plant a single seed, then choose a pot that is about four inches wide and six inches deep, and make sure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

4. Prepare the seeds

In order to have your seeds ready for planting remove the slimy coating by gently washing them with water. Choose the plum-looking seeds and soak them in warm water overnight.

5. Plant the seeds

Fill the pot with the soil and make sure you leave about an inch of space from the rim. Next, create a 1/2-inch deep hole using your finger and place the seed inside the hole with the pointy tip pointing downward and the rounded part facing upward. Then cover the seed with soil.

6. Cover the pot

Cover the pot with a plastic wrap that is secured with a rubber band and poke small holes on it to let the air circulate.

7. Provide adequate warmth

The ideal temperature range for lemon seed germination is between 68°F and 82.4°F so make sure you place the pot beside a window or other warm location. Just make sure to avoid direct sunglight.

8. Water the soil

Make sure the soil is moist. Although the plastic wrap will do its job of helping retain moisture, if you notice the soil is dry then remove the plastic wrap, water it, and then place the wrap back.

9. Care for the seedlings

When you spot the seedlings, take the plastic wrap off and place the pot to a sunny location. The soil should be moist but not soggy. The seedlings should be exposed to sunlight at least eight hours a day. If that’s not possible, add some supplements.

10. Transplanting

Once the seedlings develop leaves and tails that are around 3.15 inches long, place them into another pot by creating a shallow hole in damp, well-drained soil. Pat the soil around the seedling to secure it.

11. Continued care

As the lemon tree grows bigger, you will need to transfer it to a larger pot, and later, do the same as it grows even bigger.

Once the tree starts to grow fruits, you will understand that this experience has been a rewarding one. Just the though of being able to pick fresh lemons whenever we feel like having one brings a sense of excitement.

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Optical illusion reveals what kind of lover you are

Optical illusions exist to trick our mind into believing that we see something that doesn’t really exist or into lacking to see the obvious.

Either way, they are fun and trigger discussions. They also make us think deeply about their meaning and about what they truly represent.

The following optical illusion can help you determine what kind of lover you are based on what figure you notice first.

Being aware of this fact is sometimes crucial in building a relationship with someone.

Every bonding with the person we love is mostly grounded on communication and mutual understanding. The feelings involved are of course a crucial part of the decision to be with someone or not.

The following test will also reveal your personal method of showing your love.

This knowledge can deepen the romantic involvement with your other half and help you understand and appreciate your partner even more.

Now take a look at the image and note the first thing you notice.

These are the explanations based on your answer:

The Face:

If the face is the first thing you notice, it shows that you are determined and have your goals straight in life. You always have a plan about your next move that you are ready to fulfill with unshakable confidence. You have a reputation that you are often correct and you are born to be a leader.

As a lover, you believe that finding the time to spend together with the person you love is crucial for a successful relationship. Having someone find the time for you besides their hectic schedule is a valuable love expression. But you are wiling to do the same and make your loved one a priority.

The Trees:

You are likely someone who experienced emotional heartbreak in the past and when there comes the time for a new love, you carry the baggage from your previous love experience. You are a sensitive individual and what doesn’t leave a mark on someone else can entirely take up your mind for a long time. However, besides the scars, you don’t lose hope.

As a lover, you believe that a relationship works best if you open up. When you share your pain and deepest fears with the person you are with, you experience something deep and meaningful. To you, even a shred of emotional availability is immensely appreciated.

The Wolf:

You are likely defined as someone passionate and someone who has no lack of confidence when it comes to initiating your love desires. You are also an initiator of a great party and now how to make people feel comfortable around you. Always at the center of attention with your wit.

Your love language is physical touch. You are passionate and the physical acts of intimate love-making mean much more than words to you. The reason for this is because you have learned much more from actions than you ever did from words. You show your love to your partner through sweet and tiny physical gestures. Playing rough occasionally is your thing, but it is the gentle cuddling and nuzzling that let your soft side shine.

The Moon:

You are a dreamer who loves dancing and writing, as well as appreciating other people’s expression of these forms of art. You find inspiration in the world’s creative and spiritual side.

You express your love through art. As a lover, all of your creative work has something from your loved one tied into it. If you write a poem, you consider it an act of dedication, while a painting incorporates elements of the way your partner looks like, such as the color of their hair or eyes. Before you express your love, you need to be sure it’s the right thing.

The House:

What you seek in a relationship is the security you feel at home. You are someone who finds happiness in being mostly at home with the one you love. A perfect scene for you is sitting in front of a fire, wrapped in a blanket and feeling the coziness of your place.

You show your love by providing for the person you are with. When they are hungry, you are happy to go to the kitchen and prepare a delicious meal for them. This small act is your secret and personal method of telling the person exactly how much you adore them and how much they mean to you.

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Harnessing the power of nettle fertilizer pesticide for sustainable agriculture

The stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica) is one of the six subspecies within the Urtica genus that is found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Used in various dishes, because of their similar flavor to spinach, nettle found its way into soups, pesto, polenta, tea, and more.

This plant appears in the spring and dies down in winter. For it to grow, it requires moist soil.

The research on nettle and its health benefits on the human body are limited, but what is known is that it is rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Nettle products are used to help reduce inflammation and improve hay fever symptoms. They interact with medications including blood thinners, diuretics, and lithium, but pregnant women are advised not to include it in their diet because of the increased risk of miscarriage.

Nettles are also a favorite food for many insects, many of which are extremely beneficial to home gardens, like ladybugs and pollinators. At the same time, they contain compounds like histamine, formic acid, and lectins that can serve as a natural pesticide against thrips, spider mites, and aphids.

Another widely spread usage of nettle is that of a fertilizers. As such, it’s mainly used on young plants to aid their growth. Once the plants grow, it would be for the best to turn to another fertilizer, but you can still use the nettle fertilizers with some plants such as cabbage and lettuce.

This is how to prepare it:

First thing first, you should harvest it using thick gloves because of the hollow needles of the plant which can cause stings and rushed that are harmless but still uncomfortable. Use small pruners or scissors to cut off the stalks of the nettles and pick enough to fill a five-gallon bucket. 

Chop up the nettle stalks into a mulch that would fill about half of the bucket. Next, fill the bucket with non-chlorinated water such as rainwater and mix it well. Then, cover the bucket but don’t seal it and then stir every couple of hours. When you notice bubbles, it means that the mixture is fermenting.

Make sure you keep the bucket outdoors because of the distinctive smell.

Around 10 to 14 days later, when the bubbling stops, it means the fertilizers is ready to use.

Using a strainer, a funnel, or a cheesecloth, strain the tea. The solids can be used for compost, while the liquid as a fertilizer for your garden.

This is how to use it:

What you should have in mind is that this fertilizer is extremely concentrated and should be diluted with water. The ratio is 1:10, or a one cup of fertilizer to 10 cups of water. Once you prepare it this way, use it directly to the base of the plants every three to four weeks. Too much exposure can cause fertilizer burn.

Another way to use the tea is as a foliar spray, using the ratio of 1:20 (one part fertilizer to 20 parts of water). When used as a spray, nettle tea can ward off pests. However, make sure you don’t use it on flowering plants.

If you want to try this but can’t find any nettle plants nearby, you can simply buy a nettle extract and use it the same way.

In case you touch the nettle with bare skin and you get rashes, this is how to treat it properly. First and foremost, in case you are allergic, don’t try anything at home but consult your doctor.

Don’t touch the rashes but let the chemicals dry out for around 10 minutes. Then, use a tape to get rid of any needles from the skin. Use a cool compress for relief, or dab (not rub) aloe vera, creams with hydrocortisone, or a baking soda and water paste onto the area. 

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