We asked our readers for eco tips from kids to enter a recent contest we had to give away some kid shopping bags.
And here are the really savvy and sweet Eco Tips from Kids:
We don’t throw garbage on the Earth and we pick up litter. We have a compost instead of putting it in the garbage. We use cloth diapers on our baby because they are softer and do not go in the garbage. We bring our own bags when we go shopping.
-Kaya, 6
More better than we are now.
-Corbin
By cycling.
-Kennedy, 3
Um, eat fresh food?
-Pip, 4
By not using paper and …read more

So, I’ve decided to go with a non-edible tree today. Maybe my appetite for munchies is low, being winter and all. My appetite for trees however is hearty as usual.
Today, the beautiful (and tiny) Royal Purple Smoke Tree:

This is not a tree I know a whole lot about – but it’s a great tree. I love the bright color and it’s so unusual with it’s puffy flowers. According to Direct Gardening the Royal Purple Smoke tree, “Grows only 9-10 feet tall. In early spring the Royal Purple Smoke Tree is covered with rich, purple foliage. In mid-summer, large plumes of …read more

Most of the time, at least in the U.S. you should plant trees in the spring or early fall. Many young trees have far too fragile of root systems to plant them in the winter. Some you shouldn’t even plant in the fall because they won’t establish by winter. Some trees however, are hardy enough to plant anytime, like the Red Flowering Dogwood. The Red Dogwood is not quite so winter hardy as it’s white flowered peer but still manages.
I love this tree because it offers color all year; not simply in the spring and summer. Plus, since it …read more

With Halloween quickly approaching I figured it’s time to hug us some Solanum Pumpkin Tree.

This is a bit of a cheat because the pumpkin tree is hardly a tree and more of a smallish plant. Solanum is simply the botanical name for a group of specific plants — many sub categories of Solanum exist. This sub category is known as; Pumpkin Tree, Pumpkin on a Stick, Hmong Eggplant, and many others.
In this case the adorable tiny pumpkin looking fruits make this tiny tree-like plant hug worthy.

Florists use this for fall arrangements and they’re also used in some …read more

“Autumn trees” are not so specific but this is my first real autumn in years so I’m excited. Fall is my favorite season (maybe because I’m a November baby). For those of you who don’t know my bio; I grew up in Oregon, lived in Humboldt, and then…. moved to New Mexico. I’ve been in New Mexico for the last three years and just this last winter moved back to the Great Northwest.
There is no autumn in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Not my kind of autumn anyhow, as in no gradual autumn. It goes from the summer blaze to winter cold …read more

Almond trees never look like I expect when they blossom. I don’t know why; I just never expect it. They are beautiful though.

I like almonds in chocolate but almonds have health benefits that far surpass their benefit to chocolate. To learn more visit Almonds Are In. Or you can learn how to make homemade raw organic almond milk — a way healthier alternative to cow milk.

Design Milk has this amazingly fly tree bookcase that I’m thinking a tree loving family might need. I love it.

Design Milk suggests it would be perfect for a child’s room which is a great idea. It does look kind of cool with the green books — sadly I fear my book collection is a tad less green and more eclectic in color.

I love this. I think the problem is that there are so many cool tree items. However, for one, it’s not very eco-friendly to want a lot of stuff. Two it’s not like my money grows on trees (ha ha). I had to go there. I’m a dork. Still, look at this — it’s beautiful.

I LOVE it, but you do not want to know how much it costs.

Klamath National Forest Old Growth Cedar Tree

Cedar, like sage is often used in home entryways to ward off bad vibes, bad spirits, and other beasties. This Legend of the Cedar Tree is a good story for families to share. Some of the best reasons to preserve our forests is the tradition that trees can represent to various cultures.