Home & Garden

Designed to splash, built to babble

It has been said that the shoemaker's children run barefoot. Bruce Gann's children are often barefoot, sitting pondside with their feet splashing in the water. But he doesn't make shoes, he makes ponds, and his children enjoy the full benefit of their backyard treasure.

State of Georgia forests in 2003

Georgia forests are well-managed and growing, but landowners and industry face global and home-grown challenges. A new government/private report finds Georgia's 24 million acres of forests "diverse, well-managed, and healthy" but says the forest community must overcome mounting challenges at home and abroad to remain a "critical contributor to Georgia's economy and overall quality of life."

Stressed-out trees create dangers

After years of drought, an abundance of rainfall has caused some area trees to be weakened to the point of collapse. Why? Because of weakened roots. When roots are healthy, the bulk of a tree's root mass is usually about 1 1/2 times the size of the drip line diameter and roots can extend out up to five times from the height of the tree. Typically, tree roots grow within the top 16 inches of soil.

Tree seedlings available

The Georgia Forestry Commission is now accepting orders for seedlings to be planted this fall and winter. Seedling price lists and application forms are available at all Georgia Forestry Commission offices and are available at www.gfc.state.ga.us.

No climate control? No kidding

Look closely at Tim and Wanda Michels' two-story brick house and it's clear that they make good use of their shady, north-facing front porch in University City, Mo.

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