In a recent survey, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) asked leading landscape architects to name the top trends for 2008. Outdoor kitchens and fire pits were ranked as popular items, but many of the landscape architects polled noted an increase in requests for outdoor “great rooms.” (continue)

We've all heard the expression “experience is the best teacher,” and that is certainly true in arboriculture. Front line experience, coupled with scientific research, affects the accepted methods of care and, ultimately, tree health.
Pruning techniques are a specific area within arboriculture that is monitored and adapted as knowledge advances. What effect do recent findings have on accepted practices? (continue)

The potential nosedive in nitrogen oxides, mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions is not the only reason why Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) has spent $75 million to convert a portion of the Schiller Station coal-fired power plant to wood chips, but it was a good one.
The Schiller Station, located in the coastal city of Portsmouth, had operated three 50 MW coal-fired steam boilers since the 1950s. Now, one of the power generation units is burning wood biomass. In doing so, the Northern Wood Power Project has cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 70 percent, mercury by 90 percent and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) by 95 percent. (continue)