Spruce Up Austin - 2011

Spruce trees in the Bandshell planted

by Spruce Up Austin stand out along a trail through the park. Thanks to a winter storm in April, Austin received a light dusting of snow.

Photo by Eric Johnson

Austin has a very special nature space right in the middle of the city — its very own Central Park.

The area has evolved, and thanks to Spruce Up Austin, it is now lined with trees and landscaped, and is a place for all to enjoy.

SPRUCE UP AUSTIN CELEBRATES 17TH YEAR

By MIKE RUZEK Spruce Up Austin

This is the 17th year Spruce Up Austin (SUA) has partnered with the Austin Daily Herald to create this Arbor Day Edition. This publication has given SUA the opportunity to promote its mission by the articles we present, and financial support has resulted in many trees planted. The SUA board of directors says ‘thanks’ to the Austin Daily Herald for the many years of support.

This year’s Arbor Day Edition is Spruce Up Austin had dedicated to the spruce tree. SUA has five board members, with planted many kinds of spruce over 46 years of combined the years and the pictures throughout service, leave SUA in the Arbor Day Edition highlight some 2010: of the SUA projects. Spruce trees give •Lee Bonorden a year-round look and require very lit•Lynn Cunningham tle maintenance once they are estab•Richard Dixon lished. SUA is going to make an effort •James Larson to plant more spruce trees by finding •Heather Vossler areas where groupings of three spruce trees would be a nice addition Spruce Up Austin would to the landscape. like to thank you for your We will continue to encourage the residents of Austin to plant more help to improve the trees. With the Dutch Elm disease, landscape of Austin. wind storms, development and the pending Emerald Ash Borer, our urban forest has declined significantly and the demise of the ash trees will add to a further decline. J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, once said, “The cultivation of trees is the cultivation of the good, the beautiful and the ennobling in man.”

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

These spruce trees are part of many spruce trees in Lions Park that were planted by Spruce Up Austin.

Eric Johnson/photodesk @austindailyherald.com

A large number of spruce trees planted by Spruce Up Austin like this one, occupy spots in Lions Park.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRUCE UP AUSTIN

IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE FOR AUSTIN PARKS KIDS AT PLAY STATUE, OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO PARKS

By GRETCHEN RAMLO

South Main Street, The Band Shell, Veterans Pavilion, Marcussen Ball Park, Rotary Park, Lafayette Park and Skinners Hill, the area is Austin’s very own Central Park! Very special “green space” right in the middle of our city. The center of all this land is the corner on South Main, also known as the former site of the Kelly family home.

You may have noticed this corner evolving over the last couple of years. Spruce Up Austin has planted trees and landscaped the center of this area. The Windom 4-H along with Dolan’s Landscape continue to improve the garden, the Park and Recreation has installed benches and assisted with the plantings and concrete work. The Windom 4-H will

take care of the ongoing maintenance. What a great partnership! The icing on the cake happened in the fall of 2010. A bronze statue of kids at play (how appropriate) was made possible by a combination of gifts from Anderson Memorial and a fund from the estate of Harold and Lydia Lein that were gifted to the Park and Rec. On Arbor Day, Spruce Up Austin will add to this area nine flowering crabapple trees of three different varieties and a grouping of three spruce trees.

This will bring the total trees and spruce planted to 35 since 2008.

The benches are a great spot to sit and relax and enjoy the views! We all hope you enjoy it!

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Spruce trees in the Bandshell planted by Spruce Up Austin stand out along a trail through the park after an April snowstorm.

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ZONTA PEACE STATUE FINDS A NEW HOME

By DARLENE THAISEN

It was a beautiful summer day on June 14, 2005, when the Austin Zonta Club members unveiled and dedicated their Peace Statue to the City of Austin. The statue was located near Mill Pond on Main Street.

In recognition of its 50th anniversary, the Zonta Club commissioned Jeff Anderson to create a sculpture that embodied the ideals and values of Zonta.

Anderson said, “These values are evident in all the symbols depicted on the sculpture. The hands represent Zonta’s service to mankind. The cube is multi-faceted, just as peace and peace keeping are multifaceted.”

The cube sits on a corner in a delicate balance, symbolic of all the delicate balances of all elements of peace and the efforts toward peace

April 8, the statue was relocated to the new Plaza on First park, located just south of the Mower County Jail and Justice Center.

During these turbulent times, we all have a desire for peace. Make the Plaza on First a destination to enjoy and appreciate the new park and peace stature. keeping.

“It’s so beautiful you want to touch it,” former mayor Bonnie Rietz said.

Because of flood mitigation efforts, the peace statue needed to find a new home. On

Jeff Anderson said, "The statue was chosen for its new location because of an engraving on one side that says ‘Peace through Equality and Justice.’”

Reitz, who has been involved in the Plaza on

First project, said, “It looks like it was meant to be there!”

The project was aided by Spruce Up Austin, which donated $1,000 for five trees.

Along with the cost of plants, other materials, labor and sales tax savings, Spruce Up Austin donated $1,548.

During these turbulent times, we all have a desire for peace. Make the Plaza on First a destination to enjoy and appreciate the new park and peace statue.

Right: The “Peace Statue” in the park outside the Mower County Justice Center. The Zonta club moved the statue from beside Mill Pond due to flood mitigation efforts.

SPRUCE UP AUSTIN 2010 ACTIVITY SUMMARY Spruce Up Austin completed its 21st year of existence in 2010. It was another good year of our continued work of beautifying the community. A dedicated board, terrific support by other volunteers, and excellent

working relationship with businesses and the Austin Parks and Forestry Department continue as strengths of Spruce Up Austin.

Spruce Up Austin was directly involved in projects where more than $8,560 was spent.

When volunteer time associated with these projects is taken into account and the internal work of the Austin Parks and Forestry Department, the value to the community amounts to more than $15,097. During the 21-

year history of our organization, the total value to our community exceeds $409,342.

Thirty-five trees and spruce were planted during 2010, bringing the 21-year total to 2,503.

Other activities in-

cluded the 16th annual Arbor Day edition, three yard-of-themonth winners, the garden tour, a public seminar, and the book signing event of author Ann Linnea.

SPRUCING UP VALUE •$8,560 spent in 2010 •$15,097 value to the community in 2010 •$409,342 value to community in 21 year history •2,503 total plantings

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRUCE UP AUSTIN

THE HONORARY SPRUCE

By MIKE RUZEK

Throughout the 21 years of operation, the success of Spruce Up Austin has depended on things such as a good partnership with Austin Park and Recreation, the cooperation of businesses, the willingness of this community to donate, and the various groups and individuals who have offered to help

plant. We are grateful for the support.

SUA has no paid staff and doesn’t rely on funding from any government agency. The most important part of the success is the long-term, dedicated board of 18 directors. At the end of 2010, the average length of service of the SUA board was 9.9 years. Several years ago, SUA decided to honor any board member who had

served five or more years by planting a spruce tree for them. So far, 28 trees have been planted in the area of the veterans pavilion. The front page shows some of the earlier plantings. All the spruce planted are associated with a name of one who worked many years to improve the landscape of Austin. This is SUA’s way of saying “thanks!”

MEMORY LIVES ON WITH AN HONORARY TREE

By KELLY LADY

Honor a friend or loved one by planting a tree for them in Austin. In the process, share your commitment to keeping Austin green, clean and cool for many years to come.

Planting an honorary tree for someone is a gift that grows. Your gift can be for a loved one, service recognition, birth of a child or anything you can think of. It is so easy to plant a tree for someone

through our program.

Your minimum tax-deductible donation of $150 pays for your tree planting and three years of maintenance.

Spruce Up Austin will work with you to find the perfect location and perfect tree for your honorary event. We will even help you plant the tree properly to give it the best start possible.

My late Norwegian grandmother loved to walk around Mill Pond. With the

help of SUA, we planted A Norway Maple there in her honor and have enjoyed thinking of her over the years while watching the tree grow.

All honorary tree plantings are permanently recorded on our display in the Mill Pond kiosk.

For an application, contact a SUA board member through the Chamber of Commerce. Or download an application from www.spruceupaustin.austi ncoc.com.

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Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

One of several spruce trees planted by Spruce Up Austin next to Mill Pond.

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CONIFER TREES WORK FOR SHELTERBELTS SEVERAL EVERGREEN VARIETIES GROW IN MINN. CONDITIONS

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE

By CHRIS STEPP

By GARY WYATT Reprinted from AGWEEK

ST. PAUL — Conifers are planted as shelterbelts, windbreaks, living snow fences and winter wildlife thermal cover on farms and in other rural areas.

They bear cones and sometimes are called evergreens.

The U.S. Postal Service issued four “Holiday Evergreens” stamps for the 2010 holidays. Many people have asked the University of Minnesota Extension Service if the trees shown on those stamps all can be grown in Minnesota. The answer is ‘yes.’

Let’s review some important characteristics for each of the conifers featured on the stamps:

Cedar Eastern Red Cedar is native to the southern half of Minnesota, hardy to zone 3B. Trees are small to

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medium in heigh, 25-50 feet tall with trunks up to 24 inches in diameter. Foliage can be prickly or sharp, scale-like shaped needles.

Red cedars thrive in poor soils.

They provide erosion control, cover for wildlife and are used for windbreaks. They aggressively can move into pastures, edges and grass plantings, but can be controlled by cutting the stump close to the ground. Berry-like cones are consumed by birds, and wildlife, which disperse the seeds. Aromatic, rose-colored wood is strong and used for cabinets and chests.

Spruce Blue Spruce was introduced from the central and southern Rocky Mountains, and is hardy to zone 3A. Trees are medium to large, 30-60 feet tall with a trunk up to 36 inches in diameter. Needles are one-quarter inch to 1 1/2 inches long with sharp tips. Color can vary by tree from green, bluish-green or silver-blue.

Cones are 2-4 inches long.

Blue spruce are shade-tolerant, slow-growing and longlived.

Mature trees can be disfigured or killed by cystospora canker or rhizosphaera needlecast disease. A recommended spruce which is tolerant of these diseases is the white spruce, also called Black Hills spruce. Black Hills spruce is used in ornamental and shel-

terbelt plantings.

Pine Ponderosa Pine is an introduced species from western North America, hardy to zone 3B. Trees are large, 40-70 feet tall, or taller, with a trunk up to 48 inches in diameter. Needles are 5-8 inches long, two or three per bundle, stiff and dark green. Cones are 3-6 inches long. These trees are moderately fast-growing and long-lived; however, they do not tolerate shade.

Fir Balsam Fir is native to northeastern and southeastern Minnesota, hardy to zone 3A. Trees are medium, 40-75 feet tall with a trunk 18 inches in diameter. Needles are linear-shaped, from 1/2 inch to 1 inch long and shiny green. Cones are 2-4 inches long, erect, and purple to purplish-brown.

Trees are shade-tolerant, slowgrowing, and popular for Christmas trees and decorative crafts.

They do not perform well in the hot, windy and dry locations of Minnesota.

Trees can be purchased from nurseries or county soil and conservation districts that sell trees for spring planting.

When identifying trees to plant in your landscape, refer to the Extension Service’s “My Minnesota Woods” website, www.extension.umn.edu/go/1057.

Minn. DNR

Minnesotans will have something new to celebrate this summer in addition to Arbor Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. The Minnesota Forest Service, now known as the DNR Division of Forestry, will be 100 years old on June 22nd. This anti-fire, pro-forest agency was established by the Minnesota Legislature in response to the historic BaudetteSpooner fire of 1910. This fire burned more than 300,000 acres of land and forest destroying thousands of trees including massive red pines.

One of the first steps that the Division of Forestry did was to launch a campaign to purchase land that could be set aside for state forests. They also started planting trees to replace the ones that were lost to fire and commercial logging. By the 1940s this forestry program with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps were able to plant more than 25 million pine and other native trees. This act also helped give birth to the 58 state forest areas that we enjoy today.

The red pine was also

designated as the Minnesota state tree in 1953 by a bill signed by Gov. Elmer Anderson. This” sturdy and majestic tree” as described in the bill, was very desirable for planting in connection with the reforestation program. It also helped lay the foundation for much of the wealth of our state.

The (DNR) Division of Forestry today, is still working hard today to reforest as much land as they can. Their goal is to never allow more trees to be lost to fire or logging than what can be replaced in a sustainable manner.

When we get together with family and friends this summer to do our traditional activities, look to add one more. You can help celebrate the 100 years of proactive efforts put forth by the (DNR) Division of Forestry by planting a tree. A good choice to plant would be a red pine which is our state tree and can live to be over 100 years old. I can think of no other tree to plant that would give better recognition to the past and future efforts of the Minnesota Forest Service.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRUCE UP AUSTIN

THE EVERGREEN TREE

NATIVE TREES KEEP AUSTIN GREEN YEAR-ROUND

By HOWARD NEPP Spruce Up Austin

Can you tell the difference between the three Minnesota native evergreens; spruce, fir or the pine tree? We tell the difference between deciduous trees by their leaves or bark, it is the same for the conifers only you look at the difference of the needles and cones not relying so much on the bark. They are all called evergreens because they keep their color even in the winter. This gives our landscape a green look year-round. They make great wind blocks, wonderful Christmas trees, and are being used more and more as the ornamental tree. Some spruce trees will grow 60 feet tall, 20 feet wide and live more than 200 years. Because of their size, some spruce species can be used as shade, which keeps the air around your home cooler. This will reduce the amount of en-

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Several spruce trees planted by Spruce Up Austin line Mill Pond. ergy used to cool or heat the buildings around which they are planted. Another benefit that a full-size spruce brings is erosion prevention. The root system can cover a large area and absorb water quickly, which reduces runoff and flooding. The needles

slow the rain as it falls, allowing more time to soak in and prevent soil erosion and flash floods.

Last year, the Park and Recreation and the County planted replacement trees along First Street NE, and among

them are five Baby Blue Eyes spruce. Spruce trees were also added to the project at the Habitat for Humanity and replacement trees in Todd Park. Spruce Up Austin also provided three spruce trees to the Cornerstone Assembly Church youth group to plant in Todd Park during its “Earthbeat” day.

Here are some facts taken from the Iowa State University Extension news. The “leaves” of conifers are of course their needles. On true pine trees, the needles are arranged and attached to the branches in clusters of two (red pine group), three (yellow pine group), or five (white pine group) needles per cluster.

Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches. Spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles are softer, flat and cannot roll between your

—Evergreen trees make great wind blocks, wonderful Christmas trees, and are being used more and more as the ornamental tree. fingers. All trees shed their needles, normally slow and in the fall. There is a difference in the cones. The cones contain the seeds, which are found between the scales. Pinecone scales are woody in nature, with a rigid feel. In contrast, spruce cones have thinner scales than pinecones, which give them a more flexible feel.

So next time you want to plant a tree, remember the spruce!

and participate in Mower County’s Recycling program. As a Mower County resident all you have to do is stop at the Environmental Services office at 1105 1/2 8th Ave. NE, Austin and pick up a set of three recycling bins.

Feel free to call if you have questions about recycling.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

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A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO ALL

By BONNIE MOGEN and JAN CHUICK Spruce up Austin

Spruce Up Austin is now in its 22nd year of existence. Over the years, countless individuals, organizations and businesses have supported us various in ways.

We would like to recognize a few of our 2010 supporters.

The Hormel Fo undat i on enabled us to replant trees that were lost in the Todd Park area following the previous summer tornado. The foundation has been a continuing contributor and supporter.

The Austin Daily

Herald's yearly contribution through the Arbor Day tab and the Austin Utilities yearly contribution helps us to continue our planting of trees and maintenance of area parks

never ending supply of mulch.

A new venture for Spruce Up Austin in 2010 was supporting Ann Linnea, author of “Keeper of the Trees.”

A portion of her book sales in Austin was donated to SUA. The Austin Chamber has given us wonderful support and made themselves available to us when needed.

To the countless volunteers, the nurseries, media involvement, sharing of yards by home owners, donators and to the Spruce Up Austin Board of Directors, we give a heartfelt ‘thank you!’

To the people who have helped make Spruce Up Austin possible, we give a heartfelt ‘thank you!’

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

These spruce trees planted by Spruce Up Austin line a small patch of land between Eighth Avenue NE and the Interstate 90 on-ramp at 11th Drive NE.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

and past projects.

This would not be possible without the partnership that we have with the Austin Park and Rec who provide us with man power, knowledge, equipment and our

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRUCE UP AUSTIN