Ethiopia Leads the Charge against Deforestation

Although the act of deforestation plagues just about every area of the world, the country of Ethiopia has decided to take a strong stand against it. In the past, the Ethiopian government has placed bans on deforestation, but that did nothing to stop people from illegally cutting down trees. Today, they have a new plan… Read more »

Are you celebrating Arbor Day?

Earlier this week, people from all corners of the puerile world celebrated Earth Day. Today is another eco-friendly day. Yes, it is the last Friday in April and that means one thing: Arbor Day! Arbor Day’s mission is a simple yet ambitious one: to celebrate trees, particularly by planting and nurturing them. Founded in 1972… Read more »

The United Nations Forum on Forests: what we can do to help

At Cold Stream Farm, we recognize the importance of trees and forests, how they are necessary for our survival. After all, over 1.6 billion depend on forests for their livelihood. The United Nations is on board. The United Nations Forum on Forests recently concluded its tenth session, which is timely, considering we are losing forests… Read more »

Trees cool the fire in our heads

In the first stanza of Yeats’ “The Song of Wandering Aengus,” he writes, I went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head, And cut and peeled a hazel wand, And hooked a berry to a thread; And when white moths were on the wing, And moth-like stars were flickering out,… Read more »

The battle between Michigan deer and cherry trees

It would be an understatement to say that cherries are important to Michigan culture and its economy. Traverse City, for example, prides itself on being the “Cherry Capital of the World.” Not only does it host the National Cherry Festival, the city makes the world’s largest cherry pie. Michigan, you can argue, is a cherry-producing… Read more »

Revitalizing Detroit Through Urban Reforestation

What is the quickest way to revitalize a dilapidated and beaten-down city? Start planting trees. This process is called urban reforestation. Urban reforestation is, simply, planting trees in urban environments for the purpose of city beautification and renewal, improving air quality or replacing urban trees that may have been destroyed by a natural disaster such… Read more »

The ash tree is in danger

At Cold Stream Farm, we believe in keeping trees healthy and strong. Unfortunately, there are many threats to trees. Have you heard of the emerald ash borer? Many describe it as a scourge. It is a green beetle native to Asia. It appeared in the United States sometime in the 1990s and is now present… Read more »

Where to Plant Trees to Save Energy

When planting trees, finding the right kind of tree and the right location for the tree is great for energy conservation. According to, “Planting Trees For Energy Conservation: The Right Tree in the Right Place” by Michael Kuhns, Extension Forestry Specialist with Utah State University, planting a tree can result in energy savings. Planted in… Read more »