Week 15-Extra Credit

In the beginning, this blog did not have much value to me. It was just something weekly that I had to do. Now I realize how important it was to me because it not only made me stop and admire my tree, but also the rest of nature around me. As students, we walk to class (probably the same paths) every day and never think much about the changing nature. Snow or rain might make us notice change, but week to week we may think that everything is the same, but it's definitely not. That is what this blog has made me realize. Time keeps fading past us, but nature is still there and if we don't stop to admire it then it will fade in time too.

Week 14-Economic Sustainability

The community around my entity could improve its economic sustainability if it wanted to remove the tree and other trees around this tree and add to the buildings and parking lots around it. Instead, the tree and environment is preserved, which does not improve the economic value of the area.

Week 13-Thanksgiving

I am thankful for this magnolia tree because when I see it then I know I'm home. I love when my family decorates it in lights for the holidays and it is very comforting to me. It has much aesthetic value for me.

Week 12-Sustainability

The tree itself does not contribute to social sustainability, but the way people react to it is socially sustainable. People want to preserve and maintain the health of this tree; therefore, they are affecting the environment justice and community as a whole, which is a sustainable movement.

Week 11-Environmental Sustainability

The surrounding environment of this tree is very manicured and not in its natural state. The sidewalk beside the tree could be altering the tree's natural growth. The environmental sustainability of this area could be improved by picking up any trash in the yard and insuring that the area gets clean water.

Week 10-Abiotic

This tree is very alive yet has several abiotic features that are vital for its survival and as well as for the environment around it. The air is one abiotic feature that is important for this tree to obtain CO2 and release O2. The soil is also an important abiotic feature for this tree because it give it nutrients that are important for the tree's health. Without either of these features or with contamination or either, the tree would not be like it is today.

Week 9-Halloween

The tree outside of my house has always been haunted by one little ghost. It is hard to see him sometimes but he is always there and watching whoever passes by. He has never harmed anyone, but he protects the house from any mean trick-or-treaters.

Week 8

This tree is home to many different mammals and organisms. There are always squirrels running around it, going about their duties. Without this tree, the ecosystem within this yard would be very different. Many birds, squirrels, and insects would not have a place to find food or be safe.

Week 7-Urban Sprawl

This tree has been affected by urban sprawl in many ways. The Alpha Chi Omega house was the first sorority to move to North Jordan, and with this movement came the movement of others. This tree has seen many changes to this area as well as additions to this sorority house. Each change can affect how much water, sunlight, and growth this tree can have as well as the lives of the organisms around it.

Week 6-Water

This tree appears to be very dry and even dead sometimes, but I know that it is watered every day or so by the house board. There is a hose or a sprinkler that waters it, and if not that then the rain supplies it with water as well. The yard is very flat so there is not much visible drainage, but the roots of this tree probably span out over the property to absorb any water it may need.

Week 5-Why?

I believe that the oak tree in my front yard it was planted there years ago when my sorority house was built. Many more houses have been added to the neighborhood as well as additions to my house; this tree has seen many changes. It remains here because it is valued by the Alpha Chi house. It adds to the feeling and beauty of our lot and makes our house different from others on Jordan.

Week 4

A tree with history such as this has faced years of storms and weather. As you can see, the tornado that hit Indiana University this summer also affected this tree as well. That is when this tree lost a large limb and it has changed how this tree looks completely.

Prediction

In four months, my entity will...have lost all its leaves after they turned golden and red. It is an old tree already, and I worry that through weather and time, it might not make it. This would change the appearance and beauty of the yard; therefore, I wish that this tree makes it through the winter.

Ecosystem Services Week 2

Trees are important aspects for the ecosystem and can be seen as provisioning services, regulating services, and cultural services. They can provide food as well as help with air quality and some pollination. This tree also provides a strong cultural service for the Alpha Chi Omega house because of its aesthetic values and the many generations of girls that it has stood before.

First Week

Aging trees have lasted through wind, snow, and storms.

They have outlasted generations and kept their stories.

Aging trees hold secrets and still have room for more.