Most trees are not well adapted to saturated soil conditions.

With nearly daily rainfall this spring and summer — sometimes in record amounts — the ground became inundated with water. When excess moisture dramatically changes root environment, especially during the growing season, a tree’s entire physiology is altered, which may result in the tree’s death.

Water-saturated soil reduces the supply of oxygen to tree roots, raises the soil’s pH, and changes the decomposition rate of organic material — all of which weaken the tree, making it more susceptible to indirect damage from insects and diseases.

Additionally, with heavy rainfall there is erosion and sediment movement. Exposed roots or roots covered by excess soil add stress to plants. When rain finally stops, the tree’s system often has been so compromised that it can’t perform functions necessary to survival — so it just dies.

Altered processes

When the ground becomes completely saturated, a tree’s metabolic processes change quickly.

Photosynthesis shuts down within five hours; the tree is in starvation mode and lives on stored starches. Water moves into and occupies all available pores that once held oxygen. Any remaining oxygen is used within three hours. Lack of oxygen prevents the normal decomposition of organic matter, which leads to production and accumulation of toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxide.

Additionally, there is noticeable root growth loss within seven days. Roots only develop when soil oxygen levels are at 5-15 percent. Soon, pathogens attack decaying roots. Loss of root mass from decay and fungal attack leave the tree prone to drought damage. After two weeks of saturated soil conditions, the root crown area can have so many problems that decline and even death are imminent.

Sealed fate

Nutrient uptake is necessary for plants to function. However, in saturated soil, anaerobic organisms — primarily bacteria — replace the aerobic organisms that once existed in the soil. These bacteria convert nitrogen into forms unavailable to plants.

In addition, manganese, iron and sulfur become limited because the soil pH has increased, making the elements unrecognizable. With little to no functioning root system, trees in saturated soils do not have the means to uptake nutrients, even if they were available.

When a tree experiences anaerobic soil conditions, it will exhibit symptoms of leaf loss with minimal to no new leaf formation. This usually appears two to eight weeks after the soil dries out again. Many trees — especially more juvenile and mature trees — will not survive.

Well-established trees may still decline several years later, if they experience additional stresses such as drought or root disturbance from construction.

Preventive measures

Little can be done to combat damage caused by soil saturation. However, it is important to enable the tree to conserve its food supply by resisting pruning and to avoid fertilizing until the following growth season.

Mulch removal will aid in the availability of soil oxygen. It is a “wait and see” process. While water is essential to trees’ survival, it can also be a detriment when it is excessive.

Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Excessive water can doom trees

Recreational harvest of red snapper is open in the Gulf of Mexico’s state and federal waters.

In state waters — from shore to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf — the season will remain open through Oct. 21. In federal waters — 9 nautical miles out to 200 nautical miles — the season will remain open through Oct. 14. These supplemental recreational red snapper seasons are just for 2013.

The minimum size limit in state and federal waters is 16 inches; the daily bag limit is two per harvester, per day. There is no daily bag and possession limit for a captain and crewmembers on for-hire vessels.

Anglers must use circle hooks and de-hooking devices when fishing for any reef species, including red snapper, in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters. The requirement to use venting tools in federal waters was removed Sept. 3.

These rules help conserve fishery resources by increasing fishes’ chances of survival after being caught and released.

Click here and click on “Saltwater” and “Recreational Regulations" for more information on red snapper.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Recreational Gulf red snapper season open

Gluten has been a popular food topic lately. However, what about those food labels touting “gluten-free” ingredients? Are they accurate?

When you see a package of carrots labeled “gluten-free,” are they really gluten-free?

Yes, by nature carrots have always been gluten-free!

Is it necessary to say this about carrots?

No, the company just voluntarily uses this label. Unless you have gluten diet restrictions, it does not mean you are making a healthier food choice. 

But in order to understand the issue, let’s start with a definition.

Gluten is a protein composite in many grains and grain-based foods; it can even be in medications, cosmetics and supplements. 

Wheat, barley, rye, pasta, beer, spelt, couscous and bread typically contain gluten.

People with intolerance for gluten process it differently. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, it triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine’s villi.

The Food and Drug Administration, which recently finalized the definition of “gluten-free,” is regulating the term’s use on food labels.

According to the FDA, “the term ‘gluten-free’ now refers to foods inherently lacking gluten by nature or foods that do not contain any ingredient that is:

•A gluten-containing grain, like spelt wheat

•Derived from a gluten-containing grain that has not been processed to remove gluten, like wheat flour

•Derived from a gluten-containing grain that has been processed to remove gluten, like wheat starch, if use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million or more gluten in the food.” Foods that contain an unavoidable bit of gluten must keep that presence to less than 20 ppm.

Good gluten-free alternative foods include amaranth, quinoa, rice, soy, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, tofu, buckwheat, nuts, beans and seeds. 

More than 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, and countless others experience gluten intolerances and sensitivities. There are no known cures or treatments for gluten intolerance.

To avoid food products with gluten in them, as always, read the label carefully. Ensure that you do not miss a “may contain” statement where items were processed on the same machines with gluten-containing foods. Oats do not contain gluten but they are often processed with barley, which contains gluten.

Companies that manufacture only FDA-regulated foods and dietary supplements have one year to comply with the final regulations. The labeling guideline should make it easier for consumers to find foods that they can safely eat.

Brenda Smith is with the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: How to determine what is or isn't gluten free

CRESTVIEW — Former Crestview High School band members are sought to join the new Big Red Machine Alumni and Friends Association.

The non-profit group, organized by former Crestview High band members Graham Fountain, Al Aplin, Theresa Fleming Riley and Lane Holland, will hold its first public performance Oct. 18.

Fountain said Choctaw and Fort Walton Beach high schools have similar band alumni programs that are successful in raising funds for their respective bands.

Organizers took the plans for an alumni support group to current band director Jody Dunn, who embraced the idea.

"We're hoping to have as many alumni and directors and staff members, and anybody else who can claim they've been a part of the Big Red Machine as possible," Dunn said.

Crestview Mayor David Cadle, former band director, and late director Louis Lindsay will be honored for their service to the band and community during the event, Fountain said.

The association has also invited the daughter and grandson of Romulus H. Thompson, the band's 1938 founder, Fountain said.

"Although we have no idea yet how many alums will be in attendance, over 800 invitations have been sent out to former band members," Fountain said.

Fountain, a class of 1979 member who was a band captain and played first chair tuba, said alumni band organizers look forward to helping celebrate the Big Red Machine's 75th anniversary.

"This recognition has special significance because the first band in Crestview was also the first public school band program in the newly formed Okaloosa County," Fountain said.

The Big Red Machine Alumni and Friends Association "will strive to raise funds from private resources through the means of alumni band members and other citizens who wish to see the benefits the band program provides our young people continue," the group stated in a press release.

WHAT TO JOIN?

Crestview High School band or band staff alumni are invited to join the new Big Red Machine Alumni & Friends Association. Contact Al Aplin, al.aplin@aplinconsulting.com, 305-7122 or Graham Fountain, grahamfountain@cox.net, 830-0002.

Alumni Band schedule:

Oct. 17: 6:30-8 p.m., practice, Crestview High band room

Oct. 18: 4-5 p.m., practice, Crestview High band room

Oct. 18: 5-6:15 p.m., Alumni Band invitation-only reception; 6:30-10 p.m., Alumni band and Big Red Machine halftime performance

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHS alumni band forms; first performance is Oct. 18

CRESTVIEW — The Orlando Sentinel's drama critic wasn't overly impressed with the University of Central Florida's recent production of Steve Martin's comedy, "The Underpants."

Except for one performance, by a Crestview High School alumnus who is pursuing is bachelor's in fine arts in theater at the university.

See photo gallery of Hinton's UCF performances>>

"Only Jesse Hinton, who gave a solid dramatic performance in last season's 'Good Boys and True,' gets a chance to shine," Matt Palm wrote.

"It's the type of flamboyant farcical role … that requires an actor to dive in without fear. Hinton does just that and deservedly scores the night's biggest laughs."

Leading man

The 2011 CHS grad, who had previously stamped his talent for character acting on his hometown audiences, started snaring lead roles almost upon arrival on the Theatre UCF stage.

This accomplishment peeved his roommate, said Jesse's dad, Paul Hinton, First United Methodist Church’s contemporary worship director.

"Many of the students wait long periods of time to get a part in one of the plays but Jesse has had a major or lead role every semester and even a summer session," Paul Hinton said. 

"His roommate had a hard time with Jesse's progress because he would try out for the same stuff and get nothing. He finally started getting parts this past year, thank God."

Jesse's success doesn't surprise Annette Gebhardt, Crestview High's drama teacher and Thespian Society adviser, of which Jesse was president.

"Some of it is a natural gift, but some of it is something you can't teach," she said. "You either have it or you don't — and he has it. He not only has natural talent, but he works hard at it to continually improve himself."

In the director's chair

UCF faculty members also have noticed Jesse's talent. His performance in last semester’s "Good Boys and True” was nominated for the Irene Ryan Award for Acting, earning him a spot in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. There, he won Best Comedic Actor.

"He is easily one of the best and most talented students I have had the pleasure of working with after teaching theatre for over 25 years," UCF associate theater professor Mark Brotherton said. "As an actor, he is courageous, committed and gifted."

Brotherton named Jesse his assistant director for the school's November production, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment."

"I believe he has an imagination that is endless and will help establish the optimal environment for creative work," Brotherton said.

"Jesse has done his hometown proud!" Palm said in an email.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Critics taking notice of Crestview High alumnus’ performances (PHOTOS)