February 2023

A cousin of the November 2022 plant of the month, this tree is one of three cottonwood species native to our area. The Narrowleaf Cottonwood shares much in common with the Plains and Rio Grande Cottonwoods that have been growing here for millions of years. All cottonwoods contain Salicin, which is the basic ingredient for aspirin. People have been using cottonwood bark and leaves to relieve pain and reduce fevers for a long time. Narrowleaf Cottonwood trees may look a little more like the December 2022 plant of the month, though. Like willows, the Narrowleaf Cottonwood sends up many shoots at its roots, providing food for grazing bison and deer, and shelter for small rodents and birds. Like both the Plains Cottonwood and Coyote Willow, Narrowleaf Cottonwoods are important riparian area plants. Their root systems keep soil from washing away with water, while also helping to clean water. 

It may be more difficult to recognize the Narrowleaf Cottonwood during the wintertime, when its green leaves have turned yellow and fallen to the ground. The grove pictured above is near the Central Park Blvd. bridge at Greenway Park. It looks like the trees have died, with their bare branches. But deciduous trees have special adaptations to stay alive during the cold winter months. The Narrowleaf Cottonwood enters early rest in the fall, after a chemical begins the process of shedding leaves. Then, it enters winter rest, where the tree has different ways to prevent its living cells from freezing and dying. Finally, the tree begins after-rest in spring, as its buds develop growing activity. Budburst is the process by which trees start growing again. Budburst varies with different signals for the tree, but scientists believe trees have evolved to sense when to start growing new leaves based on an alternation of freezing and warmth, sunshine, and water (or "forcing" the things trees need to grow). There are even Citizen Science projects you can join to help scientists keep track of budburst as our weather changes. 

This year-long resident is the most common hawk in North America, with wingspans of 4 to 5 feet (females are larger than males). The Red Tailed Hawk is a swooping hunter, who may perch high in a tree (like our February Local Plant of the Month) or soar in circles above the ground until it spots its prey, then strikes from the air. The majority of this hawk's diet is small rodents. Red Tailed Hawks also hunt snakes, rabbits and small birds. Though not quite as fast as the Peregrine Falcoln (whose dives reach 240+ miles per hour), the Red Tailed Hawk's hunting dives have reached 120 miles per hour. Like other raptors, Red Tailed Hawks have a transparent third eyelid called a "nictating membrane," which they can use to shield their eyes from wind or protect their eyes while diving--while still being able to see through the eyelid! 

Red Tailed Hawks are often the "voice" of bald eagles in advertisements, because the hawk's piercing cry is considered more fierce than the bald eagle's lilting call.  These birds are also known for their dramatic flight when they find another hawk that they want to spend their life with (the hawks live on average for 20 years). The Red Tailed Hawks will lock talons high in the air, and spin in circles together as they descend back to earth. Red Tailed Hawk parents share the work of raising chicks. 

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Red Tailed Hawks are considered sacred to tribal nations like the Cherokee, where the Hawk is seen as a protector. Other indigenous cultures have viewed Red Tailed Hawks as a messenger from the Creator to people on earth. 

The next time you're walking to school, check the lamp posts and trees for this amazing bird. Email us (greenteam@thewcepta.com) and tell us whether it was light, or dark, or in between. To distinguish the Red-tail from other hawks in Colorado, check out this great resource.

Zero Waste Snack of the Month: Rice Cereal Treats!

Chosen by Green Team members, check out this delicious recipe and make your February snacks a bit more sweet for Valentine's month. You can even dip them in chocolate with sprinkles, as shown here (photo by American Heritage Chocolate from unsplash)

www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/best-ever-rice-krispies-treats.html  

If you're looking for a delicious homemade black bean burger recipe, check out this one from Sally's Baking Addiction. Guaranteed to not be mushy. Full of flavor. AND a delicious vegetarian dinner!

Composting Tip of the Month: Stack Those Trays!