Ep 130. A Pet Painted Turtle, Beech Leaf Disease

This episode is a continuum of the last. We chat about a beloved Pet Painted Turtle and her lovable owner at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice, who lifted our hearts. 

Then we talk about the Beech Leaf Disease dilemma and its cause and touch on remedies, not the least of which is Holding onto Hope with an analogy of how Fall leaves live forever.

Related Stories (and Episodes) and Helpful Links    

Worrisome Beech Leaf Disease 

Beloved Beech Trees 

 Ep 45. Beloved Mr. Beech

 Saving Snapping Turtles Lifts Spirits 

Ep 129. Saving Snapping Turtles Lifts Spirits

Rhode Island University's Beech Leaf Disease 2023 Update 

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in.

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Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
                              AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
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Transcript

Ep 130. A Pet Painted Turtle, Beech Leaf Disease

Sat, Oct 14, 2023 5:21PM • 8:35

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

beech, leaves, garden, hope, trees, beech trees, nematode, turtle, love, disease, beloved pet, snapping turtle, turtles, fall, give, snapping, painted turtle, dilemmas, mary stone, garden, nature, inspiration

00:00

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I'm Mary Stone, and welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries. It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from Mother Nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

00:23

Hello there, it's Mary Stone on the screen porch after a chilly night. It was like 40 degrees, and I didn't sleep out here. It's warming up to 65 again; that fall shift is going on so lovely. Thanks to those who reached back about Saving Snapping Turtles Lift spirits. It's heartwarming to hear how many of us love turtles and would have stepped in to help the large snapping turtle cross the road safely. Blaine wrote, Mary - love the snapping turtle piece. Your Podcast gives me hope for a broken planet.

Thank you, Blaine.Let us never give up hope that more will be kinder to the gifts of our dear earth and all that live in it. I appreciate all that you do and share to help our mission. You may recall we spoke with Blaine in Episode 123, Keeping Lighting Pollinator Friendly. And of course, he shared his stunning photographs on our Woodcock Dance Making a Meadow story that was featured in Episode 101.

01:22

A kind reader wrote in, "Why they utility glove in the mouth?" Cesar likely devised the idea to keep the turtle from struggling to bite. It worked. She seemed calm and dropped the glove and dove back into the pond when he placed her on the ground—a happy outcome. Thank you for reading the column and listening to the Podcast; that goes for you, kind listeners. 

01:46

One of the stories I didn't get to share last week is about a patient's pet at the Karen Anne Quinlan Home for Hospice. Myrna named the turtle Julie when her son found her in July five years ago. He stopped to save the Painted Turtle from being hit on the road. Ken Roberts and I so enjoyed our weekly visits with Myrna - she was such a delight. Julie was very well fed all during her months there. One of the caregivers who tended to the tank noticed scales from her shell peeling off with the new growth below. She was such a fun turtle to watch. Months later, I wore my turtle necklace and leaned over to greet Myrna. She was not able to speak much anymore. She smiled and pointed to my necklace and then to Julie and the aquarium next to her with a smile on her face. It was a precious moment.

02:38

We met her son a few days before Myrna passed away, and we shared how much we enjoyed visiting his mom and chatting and how much she loved the gospel music and the classic hymns. I asked him why it was this that she loved turtles and Julie so much. He said we always loved turtles, and often, we'd find baby snapping turtles that mom would bring in and raise until they began to snap at her. And then we'd let them go. So when the Painted Turtle came along, it became a beloved pet. It's true. The Painted Turtles make excellent pets because they are so docile in nature but live 20 to 40 years. So it's a commitment, as is any pet.

03:20

One of a Kind caregivers adopted Julie and said Julie went through grieving as pets do. I witnessed it years ago when I lost Sadie, her littermate; my dear Sara grieved with me. 

03:34

Anyway, as I look around, I see the leaves changing, but many have dropped dry, never having changed color, likely due to the spring drought followed by our wet summer. Tired leaves fall early. At the same time, many are still fully green, and there's hope for glorious fall colors to come.

03:52

Also, leaves are not dead when they fall. They are merely in transition to the next vital role in their life. After photosynthesizing and giving life to the tree they will decompose and put nutrients back in the soil for the next season of growth, much like our generations to come. The gifts you give and the love you share pass forward, and in so doing, our spirits live forever. 

04:16

Speaking of leaves... I love the crow sound. Speaking of leaves, I'm worried about Mr. Beech, the tree that graces the front of her home and protects us from the summer sun. I adore viewing it from the bedroom window each morning. This season, it contracted Beech Leaf Disease caused by a nematode that has spread aggressively. According to the University of Rhode Island, Beech Leaf Disease is a serious threat to our Native American Beech Trees as well as the Ornamental European Beach. The disease has spread quickly from Ohio since it was first detected in 2012. And now it's in 12 states and one Canadian province, Ontario. 

04:57

Beech Leaf Disease is caused by a foliar nematode. Nematodes, by the way, are microscopic worms, so you cannot see them. We don't know where they came from or how they spread so quickly, but they think birds are likely involved in transporting the nematodes. The site says that some fertilization strategies are encouraging that use a phosphate product known as Polly phosphite 30. I'll put a link in the show notes because there were some other strategies they spoke about.

05:27

It makes me think of all the ash trees we've lost with the emerald ash borer, and I worry that the beech trees will have a similar fate. Although I'm not giving up hope.

05:38

Beech Leaf Disease starts with a few leaves having dark bands between their veins. As the disease progresses, more leaves become affected, and the dark bands become darker. The leaves look leathery, and the edges brown and curl.

05:54

I am so concerned about Mr. Beech and the smaller young trees around our property. But I hug Mr. Beech and tell him you'll be okay. You're strong and have endurance. And you'll ride this out as you did last fall when a large limb came tumbling down. It made me sad because it followed after we pruned the branches that were overcoming the roof. And so I believe the tree had to regain balance and drop that huge branch.

06:22

Typically, Mr. Beech holds on to many leaves during the winter that turn golden brown. I enjoy the dance in the winter wind from my window. So I asked myself, once the diseased leaves drop to the ground, should I gather them and put them in the regular trash to prevent spread so that the nematode doesn't get into the soil? Or is it a hopeless cause? No, never give up hope. And never forget the power of our minds and hearts. I'll pick up the leaves. Garden Dilemmas, AskMaryStone.com. 

06:57

So I know this story was a kind of a mix of the continuum of the turtles and the story of Myrna and her beloved pet, Julie, and how leaves go through cycles. And sometimes trees do, too. So, I do hope that the beech trees are spared. But you know, it's interesting, as I look around the forest here and see where trees have fallen, new trees are colonizing that are benefiting from the nutrients of the fallen trees and leaves before them. So you see, the cycle of life never really ends; it continues, which always gives us the feeling of hope. 

07:35

So, thanks so much for coming by. I always look forward to our time together, and I hope you have as well. If so, I would so appreciate it if more of you provide a review or give us a five-star rating if you feel so inclined because, for some magical reason, the more we have, the more will find us to learn and grow and the Garden of Life. Thanks again. See you next time on the screen porch. Listen to the crows. I think I should write a story about crows. What do you think? Have a great day. 

08:05

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook or online at Garden Dilemmas.com and on Instagram at hashtag Mary Elaine Stone. Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries is produced by Alex Bartling. Thanks for coming by. I look forward to chatting again from my screen porch. And always remember to embrace the unexpected in this garden of life. Have a great day.