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 by not littering.
-Cedar

We have to plant lots of trees because they make the earth green and give us oxygen. And everyone should get a dog and clean up their poop.
-Deb’s son, 5

If people litter picking up their trash, help uummm people learn to love the earth like I do, make a garden and turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth.
-6 year old

By cleaning it by picking up all the trash and throwing it away. Go to the beach and plant stuff to make it from falling in the ocean. Recycle paper and plastic. Yeah that’s how you help the earth.
-7 year old

We should drive cars less, take shorter showers, plant lots of flowers and take care of the animals.
-Alex

I think teaching people to be nice to trees.
-3 year old

Well you need to think! Don’t throw away good trash you can reuse. Don’t leave the water running when you brush, use both sides of the paper when you draw and alway be kind to animals and nice people!
-Noah

We could walk places. We could recycle. Turn lights off. That is what Grandpa always tells me to do.
-Debbie’s daughter

They should have a contest for who can pick up the most amount of trash and whoever does wins an award and a puppy.
-Amber’s daughter

I think we should keep the air and the water clean for the fish and the sharks.
-EGirl

do NOT act like sepiroth (she’s a Final Fantasy nut)
-Nine year old

By giving away toys.
-3 year old

Not hurt God’s creatures
-Alicia’s daughter

Goo.
-Evie

Started singing the Jack Johnson song from the Curious George Soundtrack…”reduce, reuse, recycle.”
-Arden, 6

Doos, Use, Cycle.
-Rena, 2

Just drooled at me when asked.
-Guinn, 8 months

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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 feathery flowers appear. These smokey-purple panicles form a veil of blooms so dense you can hardly see the branches. This cloud of purple smoke has an enchanting fairy tale look and lasts from mid-July until October. The hardiness and dense growing pattern of the Royal Purple Smoke Tree makes it ideal for growing in exposed locations. Plant 4′ apart for windbreaks or hedging. 25 plants will make a breathtaking 100′ purple hedge.”

I like this one from Floridata – at Cincinnati’s Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum:

Close up – lovely!

A really nice tree to brighten our winter days.

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I love this tree because it offers color all year; not simply in the spring and summer. Plus, since it only grows to around 25 feet you can plant it, even in small spaces or right by your home.

Color in the fall…

You know you want these flowers.

For the kiddos today I found this great leaf chart from the School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Extension in Alabama. The chart illustrates most of the genera of trees found in the U.S., or the 55 most common leaves you’ll run into. This would make a great chart for nature walks — of course better once leaves are all back on the trees.

Here’s what the chart looks like.

To see the entire chart and all 55 leaves visit the School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Extension. There’s lots more to see about trees and nature at this site as well.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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 Asian dishes.

While carving is out of the question this is a great family plant. Kids love them! You and your family can learn how to grow your own little pumpkin trees from this place or that place.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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 seemingly overnight. There are no fall rain showers and there are no brightly colored streets of golden, orange, and red trees. It’s a sad, sad deal. Not to put down New Mexico — but…

I think it’s kind of like when people from other parts of the country move to Oregon and get so depressed because of all the rain. Well, I got depressed in New Mexico due to the lack of rain and trees. It’s like I had reverse seasonal affective disorder.

Here are some things I missed about autumn when I lived in the land of few trees and two seasons…

The gradual change from summer to fall; it gets a little chilly, a little more, then one morning you need a warmer hoodie. But real autumn never goes from summer tank tops to winter coats overnight.

Autumn frost!

How grilled cheese, tomato soup, and orange spice tea taste on autumn nights.

Weekend drives that look like this:

The smell in the air. When you smell real autumn you know it. It’s a mix of trees, rain, cold, apples, spice, and smoky fires burning… it’s tight and fresh and always reminds me of pumpkin fields and Halloween.

How blue and cold the sky looks.

That crispy feel in the air — before it becomes freezing but when it’s already cold enough to shiver. Night walks in this kind of air are nice.

But when you get right down to it… it’s all about the trees. Golden, orange, red, and brown. Autumn trees glow and are hands down the best part of the season. I think everyone should go and hug an autumn tree today.

More autumn delights soon to come; including art projects for the littles, organic treats, and how to green the season. Also, don’t forget to look for the amazing Blogtoberfest that our Family and Relationships Channel has planned — you’ll love it and maybe even win some prizes!

What are some of your favorite things about autumn?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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.

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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.

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

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

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.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family