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Trimming TREE HEALTH for
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In a tree pruning workshop at Montana State University’s Northern Agricultural Research Center March 19, Research Associate Roger Hybner offered tips on pruning practices for healthy trees. Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com Trees and shrubs are pruned for safety, plant health and aesthetic reasons, Hybner said. In other words, sometimes branches are trimmed to keep them from damaging property or people, or blocking a path or view. Sometimes the plant itself needs the help because a branch is growing in a direction that will end up weakening the structure or because a part of the plant is diseased or dead. Other times, a tree or shrub is trimmed to make it looked more balanced or to shape it. Pests, Mother Nature and poor manage-
FARM & RANCH ment can kill trees, Hybner said, but given their regenerative properties, "a tree is a plant that should never die." Two of the most common mankind-generated problems that threaten a tree's longevity are choosing the wrong plant species and choosing the wrong location. Hybner said planting trees and shrubs that are native to the area is the best aid to keeping plants healthy and thriving. But, when buying nonnative trees and shrubs, people should buy those rated for Winter Hardiness Zone 3 weather conditions, though he added that some Zone 4 species can thrive if they have adequate shelter from the harshest elements. While people can do well getting plants that are tolerant of the generally alkaline, clay-based soil most common in north-central Montana, he said other localized conditions can affect plants, as well. A nearby saline leach, a septic system’s drain field, or run-off from a feedlot can alter the chemical properties of the soil and the amount of moisture sitting in the soil. Two of the best ways to help choose the proper plant for an area are to look at what is growing well in a neighbor’s yard, he said, adding that local county Extension offices and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have suggestions and resources. The location a tree or shrub is planted might stunt or kill the plant, such as planting a spruce tree, which likes drier soils, near a septic system drain field. Trees planted under power lines or too close to a house or other building may need
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back. Keeping tools sharp is crucial, and when using a saw to cut large limbs, use a three-step method in which the first two cuts remove the majority of the limb and the third cut prunes the limb near the branch collar. The first cut is across the bottom side of the limb, out away from the branch collar. The second cut is across the top, at a point slightly farther down the limb from the first cut — a half inch is sufficient — and it cuts through the limb. The third cut trims the limb at the branch collar, without the weight of the limb to cause problems. • Frequently step back and view the tree from different sides to make sure the pruning is creating a balanced tree. • Limbs can be trained to a certain extent. A limb growing at less than a 45-degree angle away from the trunk should be removed or trained to grow out lower by bracing it away from the trunk or weighting the branch to make it droop.
trim a limb, leave it until the next year,” he said. “I’d wait until the tree greens up in the spring then tie some ribbon around the dead limbs so I know what to cut off next spring.” Be careful with trees that have not be kept up with regular pruning, Hybner said. They can have hidden weaknesses from rotted or poorly formed limbs or trunks. Branches being held down by a crossing limb can pop free once the ill-growing limb is cut off. And weak roots can give way. When trimming nonhedge shrubs, especially fruit bearing shrubs, he said, any main trunk that grows to more than 1” diameter should be cut down at the base of the shrub and younger growth allowed to freshen the plant. For people who want to plant trees, whether as a yard decoration or a windbreak, he recommended searching out native species but to stay away from “trashy” species, such as willow, which lose a lot of limbs every year. If the trees are to be planted in a shelter belt, and the landowner wants to cut down on the amount of pruning needed, Hybner
Old Growth, Unkempt Trees
Havre Daily News/Pam Burke Research Associate Roger Hybner and pruning workshop attendee Chris Anderson trim an apple tree at Fort Assinniboine March 19. The tree, which Hybner said was likely planted when the fort was built, shows the effects of time and lack of attention. Given the tree's poor condition, with many dead limbs and large patches of missing bark, Hybner said he would trim the dead limbs from the tree and only enough live growth this year to help encourage new, healthy growth without stressing the tree.
Whether it’s a single tree in the yard, or rows of trees in a wind break, sometimes the tree growth gets away from the property owner. All is not lost, though. Hybner said even trees that have a lot of dead limbs and stubs can be revived by pruning. He also emphasized the importance of sticking to the limit of pruning no more than 25 percent of growth in a year. In cases when it is hard to tell which limbs are alive and which are dead, he recommended waiting to prune “When in doubt about whether or not to
Havre Daily News illustration/Pam Burke • Numbers 1 and 2 illustrate the threestep method of cutting a larger limb to help ensure the weight of the limb doesn't leave a wound on the tree by tear bark as the limb is removed. Number 3 is the final cut at the branch collar. • Item A shows the stub of a limb left too long for the branch collar to form a callous over the cut. • Item B shows a callous forming over a pruned limb. Hybner said it takes about three years for the callous close over.
www.havredailynews.com recommended planting in tree clusters that include fruit-bearing shrubs. This creates a micro-habitat for birds, deer and other wildlife, that is left to grow as in nature. Only the ground around the clusters is kept grassfree. While this publication is most likely appearing after deciduous trees have begun budding leaves, summer is still a good time to remove dead growth and stubs, as well as suckers and diseased limbs. This is also a good time to examine the plants’ health and formulate a plan for future pruning of live limbs. Some of Hybner’s recommended sources: • “Pruning Made Easy,” by Lewis Hill. • MSU Cooperative Extension bulletins: “Pruning Deciduous Trees,” “Pruning Fruit Trees in Montana” and “What’s Wrong with This Tree?” • Arbor Day Foundation’s “Right Tree for the Right Place.” • Internet search of “Alex Shigo Tree Pruning” for links to a variety of articles, educational materials and videos. • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
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Pruning: Limit pruning to 25 percent or less of live growth in any year. n Continued from page 3 pruned off to give the tree a single, strong trunk, he said. The hole for the tree should be twice the diameter of the pot in which the tree has been growing, he said, because the roots need to be spread out in the hole. Preparing the tree for healthy root growth should include pruning the outside layer of the root ball — where thread-like roots grow around the inside of the pot — and the remaining stout roots spread out in the bottom of the hole. Any roots that cross another and can't be straightened need to be pruned, and the largest root should be pointing toward the prevailing wind to give the tree the most strength against the stress of repetitive and high winds. If the young tree has been grafted to a root structure, as apple trees are, the graft needs to be above ground, he added. Any branches growing in the wrong direction, as described in the side bar at right, should be trimmed, but Hybner cautioned that if the young tree has branches low on the trunk, those should be left on the tree. “I’ve never been comfortable with pruning a tree to a stick in this area,” said Hybner, who grew up north of Rudyard. Those lowest branches gather nutrition from the sun while the tree grows above. Each year after the first or second year, one layer of lower branches, starting with the lowest, can be trimmed off until the lowest branch is the desired height off the ground. Tree trunks always grow in height from the top of the tree, so the height a branch grows out from the trunk will always remain the same. A low-growing, 3/4-inch tree limb that is hitting people in the face will never get farther off the ground, but maybe one day it will be a 3” limb that really hurts to be run into. Keeping on top of the pruning will save hassles and save stressing the tree later by taking a major limb.
Pruning for Health Dead limbs and suckers can be trimmed from trees and shrubs any time of the year, but a few rules of thumb will help make pruning helpful rather than hurtful, Hybner said. • Pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs, including fruit-bearing, should be done after the worst cold of winter has passed and before the leaves bud out. The exception to this rule is that flowering shrubs that do not grow fruit, such as lilacs, should be trimmed after the flowers have died. Evergreens are trimmed after the first growth has started because the tree needs the pitch to be running to seal the wounds from pruning. Formal hedges have their own development and maintenance needs that homeowners will have to research. • Do not prune more than 25 percent of a tree’s live growth in any year — and less if the tree is already stressed from damage or disease. • Cut limbs at a 45-degree angle 1/8 to 1/4 inch past a node or bud. New growth will come from the bud or node, and any limb
Which Limbs to Cut Hybner recommended pruning in this order: • Dead limbs • Suckers — unless you are trimming overly mature growth from a shrub and suckers are needed to refill the plant's shape. • Limbs growing straight up, straight down, toward the trunk, or across another limb. • Unnecessary limbs and growth — including too many limbs in one area, an over-long limb or a double leader. • Diseased vegetation — which is trimmed back 6 inches from the last sign of disease. Cuttings with disease should be burned right away and all pruning tools cleaned with hydrogen peroxide before being used on another plant. left past that bud will turn into a dead stub and might get diseased or cause more limb death. • When trimming a limb from the trunk, don’t leave a stub. Cut the limb 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch from the branch collar, which is the fatter, swollen part of the limb where it connects to the trunk. That branch collar will grow, or form a callous, around the open wound left after a limb is cut off. • Be careful not to cut into or shave off the branch collar. • Do not rip the bark — it doesn’t grow
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Feeding the Young Tree People need to resist putting a lot of nutrients in the hole with the newly planted tree, Hybner said. This will discourage the tree from spreading out its roots in search of more nutrients. Trees need the roots to grow out to make the tree more stable. The soil should be mixed with 1/3 compost to 2/3 soil from the hole. Another recommendation from Hybner for developing strong roots is to avoid drip irrigation, which encourages roots to grow on the surface. It is better, he said, to give the tree a good soaking on occasion. And fertilizer spikes don’t work, he said. People will do more for their tree spending money on ground fabric around the base of the tree to keep grass and weeds away. These smaller plants will use up the tree’s nutrients and invite harm from weed-eating and mowing around the base of the tree. to be cut back in ways that are detrimental to the health of the plant, Hybner said. Trees that might otherwise be healthy are weakened because the top half, one side, or even a big V-shape in the middle, are lopped off to protect a power line or building. People should be aware of how tall and wide a tree or shrub has the potential to grow and plant them accordingly, he added. A dwarf variety of tree might be able to be planted under a high power line rather than a towering cottonwood, he said. A shrub planted next to a house, sidewalk
FARM & RANCH or fence should be a variety of low-growing plant tolerant of pruning and training, which should be done from the beginning, to keep the plant from blocking a porch or window view or invading the walkway or fence line. Hybner said he sees junipers and lilacs most often planted too close to buildings and walkways. It is better to err on the side of caution by planting farther away from structures than seems necessary, Hybner said, adding that his rule of thumb for a tree is to measure or step off the appropriate distance away from the nearest structure, then take two more steps away.
The First Pruning Pruning begins prior to planting a new tree or shrub, Hybner said, adding that this is the only time pruning includes the roots as well as the limbs. If the tree has a double leader — a trunk that splits into two branches, both growing upward — then one of the leaders has to be Havre Daily News/Pam Burke A young tree, planted in 2014 at Montana State University's Northern Agricultural Research Center, is shown before and after being pruned March 19 by Research Associate Roger Hybner and attendees of Hybner's tree pruning workshop. Among other improvements, the pruned tree, right, has more spacing between branches for healthier growth.
n Continued on page 10
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BLM Seeks Nominations to Resource Advisory Councils
ANN BOUCHER FOR FARM & RANCH The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for open positions on its Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the BLM on public land issues. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 45 days, until May 2. The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 39 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest or expertise in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers get the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.
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Hinsdale-based photographer Ramona Doebler captured what she describes as, "The third sure sign of spring: three toms strutting their stuff."
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Spotlight on the Stockyards
Hannah Lambrecht rounds up cattle bound for the sale at the Glasgow Stockyards on a chilly March 17.
The People, The Know How And The Products To Cover All Your
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“The BLM Resource Advisory Councils are an important forum for the community conversation that is a key component of public land management,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. “With representatives with different land use perspectives, the RACs give community members an opportunity to dig into local issues and explore possible solutions.” Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. Each of the 34 RACs has different positions open in the following categories:
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Continuing in our series about the people behind the hard work at Glasgow Stockyards, we asked veteran cowgirl Hannah Lambrecht to give the Courier readership some insight into what makes the job tick for her. Lambrecht got her start when her twin sister’s mother-in-law mentioned that the stockyards was looking for an extra hand. She started with their Thanksgiving sale of 2011, one of the stockyards’ biggest sales in history. Lambrecht's first day was 22 hours long, cold, and she wondered what, exactly, she’d gotten herself into. However, she was asked to come back a few weeks later, and jumped at the chance. The rest, she said, is history. When asked about who her role models were growing up, she mentioned her family. Her father taught her about the meaning of hard work, and her mother had great horse sense: both great examples for a young person who already had a fire to want to train and ride. Her mother-in-law, Kim Ferguson, is “a true cowgirl” and continues
to be a daily source of inspiration. The current calving and foaling season is her favorite. “I’m a sucker for baby animals, and it only gets better with branding time and farming.” Every day at the stockyards is different. Accepting change, and the ups and downs of each day with good humor is what helps everyone at the stockyards has a good time while they work. The great people, and the atmosphere they create, are what make the stockyard a place Lambrecht has enjoyed working at for four-and-a-half-years. A bonus for Lambrecht is to get to work her own horses, which is, admittedly, more fun in the warmer weather that is coming up. Predicting what will go right, or wrong, in any season, is a waste of time, as ranching comes with enough stress on its own without adding more to the mix. This no-nonsense approach also applies to Lambrecht’s advice for young people looking to succeed in a similar field: she says that much know-how is learned on the job, but that if you work hard, you’ll succeed, and you, “definitely learn fast from mistakes when it comes to cattle and horse-related work!”
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Women CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 been in operation for 100 years. There are currently three generations working at this time. They raise Herefords that have strong line-one genetics, and are focused on producing quality livestock. Jessica really enjoys working together with her husband haying, irrigating, moving cows, etc., but calving and anything
that offers her the chance to ride horseback are her favorite parts of the operation. Jessica feels that patience, flexibility, and a secure relationship with your partner are the most important qualities to have as a woman in agriculture. She said that you have to realize that the cows will always come first and you have to understand that total investment is what it takes to make it work. Remind yourself that your husband is only your husband for part of the year. You have to be independent and understand that you
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married into a unique agricultural lifestyle. When asked what piece of wisdom she would pass on to another woman in agriculture, Jessica said that it’s important to learn to love each other, even when you don’t like each other. Kristine Bowman is a woman in agriculture that married into a 4-generation farm family. She lives with her husband, two sons and one daughter on the Bowman family farm northwest of Hinsdale. Their operation involves farming pulse crops such as lentils and grain. They also have cows and irrigated hay ground. Kristine doesn’t have quite as active role in the day to day operations like other farm wives, but her role is important just the same. She cares for their children, provides meals and helps to move vehicles. She is available whenever possible. Three qualities that she feels are especially important for a woman in agriculture are
flexibility - plans are always changing; independence - because at times you are a single mom; and support through prayer - asking guidance as the operation must change as the needs of agriculture change. The piece of wisdom she would share with other women in agriculture is that it is important to understand that you are not only marrying the farmer, you marry the farm. You marry into a lifestyle, so be ready and accepting of the uniqueness of this role. The thing I’ve learned from visiting with women in agriculture is that to be “successful” you don’t have to have a certain size of operation, a certain number of cows or even be involved in the farming/ranching full-time. What you do have to have is a heart for agriculture, an investment in seeing your operation thrive and a determination and drive for making it better than the year before.
ANNUAL BULL SALE
APRIL 13, 2016 SELLING
100 YEARLING BULLS 80 ANGUS HEIFERS 10 F1 BALDY HEIFERS BASIN EXCITEMENT
Bulls Bred For:
BLM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Category One – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-ofway, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation. Category Two – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. Category Three – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large. A term on a RAC is for three years. The BLM-Montana/Dakotas has vacancies on each of its four RACs. Western Montana: Send nominations to David Abrams, 106 N. Parkmont, Butte, MT, 59701, (406) 533-
FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH 7617. Central Montana: Send nominations to Jonathan Moor, 920 NE Main Street, Lewistown, MT, 59457, (406) 538-1943. Eastern Montana: Send nominations to Mark Jacobsen, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT, 59301, (406) 233-2831. Dakotas: Send nominations to Mark Jacobsen, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT, 59301, (406) 233-2831. More information is available at www. blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/resource_advisory. html. This site also includes a link to the background nomination form. Please also visit us on the web at www. blm.gov/mt. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BLMMontana, or follow us on Twitter @BLM_MTDKs. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.
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Red & Black Simmental & Sim/Angus
Bull Sale May 5 • Glasgow Stockyards
Lunch at noon • Sale starts at 1 p.m. 40 Head Solid Head Solid Red 50 Black Head• 40 Black
15 Head Solid Red Composite yeARlINg BullS Thick – Meaty – Moderate Framed – Easy Calving A. I. Sires Represented Black Angus – Resource, Absolute, Rampage, Prophet, Ten X Red Angus – Big Iron, Box Beef Black Simmental – Upgrade, Catalyst Red Stabilizer – Cadillac, Total Package Black Stabilizer – Trinity,Yosemite This herd has produced the top rate-of-gain steer 7 of the last 8 years at the NE Montana Fair.
“Breeding Simmentals since 1969”
Don Nelson
Nelson Ranch Floyd Nelson, Jr.
(406) 367-5261 • cell 263-5261 188 Nelson Rd. • Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-2024 • cell 263-5251 PO Box 254 • Glasgow, MT 59230
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SY Clearstone CL2
14043 County Rd. 340• Fairview, MT 59221 Jim Vitt 406-798-3653 Dale Vitt 406-798-3398 406-480-5676 C e-mail djvitt@midrivers.com
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COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Audra Cornwell-Ortega wrangles more than livestock. Here, she's shown with her two girls, baby Avathe and Hayzle while feeding cows at her Aunt Peggy's place.
406-747-5217 | 406-489-0165 Cell Winter Wheat for Montana
Clearfield is a trademark of BASF. ©2002 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. Always read and follow label directions.
PVPA 1994—Unauthorized propagation PVPA 1994—Unauthorized propagation prohibited. Plant variety protection granted or prohibited. Plant variety protection granted or applied for Syngenta varieties. applied for Syngenta varieties.
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April2016 2016 April
Glasgow Stockyards, Inc. Linda & Mark Nielsen, Owners Iva Murch, Manager 263-7529 Dean Barnes, Yard Manager 263-1175 Ed Hinton, Auctioneer 783-7285
2016 Spring Schedule April – May – June
Serving AreA ✯ LiveStock ProducerS For 70 YeArS!
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FARM & FARM & RANCH RANCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Shipstead Talks to a Trio of Ranchers
ities that her family has developed is the ability to change roles as their operation grows. I asked Audra what she thought the most important qualities are for a woman in agriculture to possess. She stated that a good attitude, stamina and a sense of humor were important. I also asked her to share one piece of wisdom
1946 - 2016
April 2016 Bowles J5 Red Angus Bull & Female Production Auction - Selling 55 Red Angus Bulls, 25 Registered Red Angus Heifers & 20 Commercial Red Angus Heifers. See catalog at www. glasgowstockyards.com. Additional Consignments: * 30 Bangs Vaccinated Red Angus Heifer Calves; *30 Bangs Vaccinated Red Angus & Red Angus Composite Heifer Calves; * 40 Red Angus Steers; * 7 Red Angus Cow/Calf Pairs. Feeder Auction & All Class Cattle Auction. Eayrs Angus Bull Production Auction - Selling 50 Angus Bulls. Wiseman Red Angus Bull Auction - Selling 22 Red Angus Bulls and 11 Registered & Commercial Heifer Calves. See catalogs at www.glasgowstockyards.com. Bred Heifer, Pair & All Class Cattle Auction McRae’s Big Dry Angus Production Auction, Replacement Heifer & Feeder Special & All Class Cattle Auction Humbert - Fossum “North Country” Angus Production Auction, Anderson Bar Triangle Charolais Production Auction & All Class Cattle Auction
14 21 28 Thursday
5 12 19 26
May 2016 Nelson Simmental & Simmental/ Angus Composite Bull Production Auction, and “Going to Grass” All Class Cattle Auction Koenig Red Angus Bull and Female Production Auction, Fahlgren Angus Production Auction, Cow Calf Pair Special & All Class Cattle Auction All Class Cattle Auction All Class Cattle Auction
406-228-9306 P.O. Box 129 • Glasgow, MT 59230 gsi@nemont.net www.glasgowstockyards.com
Thursday
All Class Cattle Auction
9
Cow/Calf Pair Special & All Class Cattle Auction Huge Gun, Reloading, Ammo & Tool Auction - Scobey, Montana
16
All Class Cattle Auction
23
Pre 4th Dry Cow Auction & All Class Cattle Auction
30
NO AUCTION
Please call in consignments so buyers can be notified.
EAYRS ANGUS BULL SALE Thursday, April 14, 2016
Lunch at noon • Sale starts at 1 p.m. • Glasgow Stockyards Selling g rlin 50 Yea ulls B Angus
Performance to Profit
Humbert Angus
Fossum Angus
Lee (406) 783-5341 (406) 783-7771
Jim (406) 724-3327 (406) 724-7119
80 Yearling Angus Bulls Also Selling Yearling Heifers
Saturday
11
• Performance & Fertility Tested • Gentle Dispositions
Call for more information Dorothy – 230-1201 (cell) or Monte – 406-486-5684, 406-957-5684 (cell)
See WOMEN, Page 8
O C U H NT R T R Y NO
June 2016
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that she would share with a friend in agriculture. She stated that it was important to not be intimidated and to let go of any doubts. The agricultural lifestyle can be daunting and you can be your own worst enemy. So control what you can and “get to gettin’”! Jessica Nickels is another woman in agriculture in our area. She married into a long-standing successful family operation in September 2014. The Nickels family has
Women
Thursday
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Peformance Tested COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Jessica Nickels and Badger pause for a selfie while moving cows south of the spillway.
EPDs Length
Fertility Tested
Delivered
Growth
Glasgow Stockyards Sires Represented COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Kristine Bowman gives her son a birds-eye-view while at a family gathering in the Flathead. ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD FOR FARM & RANCH One thing I enjoy is visiting with, and hearing the stories of, other women in agriculture. When Farm & Ranch asked me to interview several women from our area, I was very excited. I hope that I can do justice to their stories and that you will be encouraged by their resiliency, determination and courage. Audra Cornwell-Ortega is the fourth generation of her family to be carrying on the tradition that her great grandparents started 125 years ago. She now lives in her childhood home with her husband and two
daughters. She and her husband work with their immediate family and cousins on their family operation that consists of a cow, calf and yearling operation. Before having kids, she was very much involved with all the day-to-day aspects of the operation - including haying, feeding, branding, riding, etc. Now that she has children she still is involved in those aspects, but has transitioned to doing more office, bookwork, and providing meals, while raising her daughters. One of the qualSee WOMEN, Page 7
YOU’RE READING HI-LINE FARM & RANCH – THE AG MONTHLY FOR NORTHEAST & NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA
Connealy Capitalist 1922 RA Identity A52 Humbert HD 2677 HAR Program 2938
Reg. #17585540 Reg. #16919860 Reg. #17386405 Reg. #17386433
RA Identity A52
CAR Incredibull 239 BT Final Product 1533 FAR Chisum 200 S Chisum 0338
Reg. #17378118 Reg. #17662629 Reg. #17359369 Reg. #16661694
BT Final Product 1533
“Two Breeders – With One Idea”
Breed cattle that work for us and our customers View bull sale data at Pelton Livestock Marketing & Consulting – www.billpelton.com
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FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH
April2016 2016 April
Glasgow Stockyards, Inc. Linda & Mark Nielsen, Owners Iva Murch, Manager 263-7529 Dean Barnes, Yard Manager 263-1175 Ed Hinton, Auctioneer 783-7285
2016 Spring Schedule April – May – June
Serving AreA ✯ LiveStock ProducerS For 70 YeArS!
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Women in Agriculture
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FARM & FARM & RANCH RANCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Shipstead Talks to a Trio of Ranchers
ities that her family has developed is the ability to change roles as their operation grows. I asked Audra what she thought the most important qualities are for a woman in agriculture to possess. She stated that a good attitude, stamina and a sense of humor were important. I also asked her to share one piece of wisdom
1946 - 2016
April 2016 Bowles J5 Red Angus Bull & Female Production Auction - Selling 55 Red Angus Bulls, 25 Registered Red Angus Heifers & 20 Commercial Red Angus Heifers. See catalog at www. glasgowstockyards.com. Additional Consignments: * 30 Bangs Vaccinated Red Angus Heifer Calves; *30 Bangs Vaccinated Red Angus & Red Angus Composite Heifer Calves; * 40 Red Angus Steers; * 7 Red Angus Cow/Calf Pairs. Feeder Auction & All Class Cattle Auction. Eayrs Angus Bull Production Auction - Selling 50 Angus Bulls. Wiseman Red Angus Bull Auction - Selling 22 Red Angus Bulls and 11 Registered & Commercial Heifer Calves. See catalogs at www.glasgowstockyards.com. Bred Heifer, Pair & All Class Cattle Auction McRae’s Big Dry Angus Production Auction, Replacement Heifer & Feeder Special & All Class Cattle Auction Humbert - Fossum “North Country” Angus Production Auction, Anderson Bar Triangle Charolais Production Auction & All Class Cattle Auction
14 21 28 Thursday
5 12 19 26
May 2016 Nelson Simmental & Simmental/ Angus Composite Bull Production Auction, and “Going to Grass” All Class Cattle Auction Koenig Red Angus Bull and Female Production Auction, Fahlgren Angus Production Auction, Cow Calf Pair Special & All Class Cattle Auction All Class Cattle Auction All Class Cattle Auction
406-228-9306 P.O. Box 129 • Glasgow, MT 59230 gsi@nemont.net www.glasgowstockyards.com
Thursday
All Class Cattle Auction
9
Cow/Calf Pair Special & All Class Cattle Auction Huge Gun, Reloading, Ammo & Tool Auction - Scobey, Montana
16
All Class Cattle Auction
23
Pre 4th Dry Cow Auction & All Class Cattle Auction
30
NO AUCTION
Please call in consignments so buyers can be notified.
EAYRS ANGUS BULL SALE Thursday, April 14, 2016
Lunch at noon • Sale starts at 1 p.m. • Glasgow Stockyards Selling g rlin 50 Yea ulls B Angus
Performance to Profit
Humbert Angus
Fossum Angus
Lee (406) 783-5341 (406) 783-7771
Jim (406) 724-3327 (406) 724-7119
80 Yearling Angus Bulls Also Selling Yearling Heifers
Saturday
11
• Performance & Fertility Tested • Gentle Dispositions
Call for more information Dorothy – 230-1201 (cell) or Monte – 406-486-5684, 406-957-5684 (cell)
See WOMEN, Page 8
O C U H NT R T R Y NO
June 2016
2
that she would share with a friend in agriculture. She stated that it was important to not be intimidated and to let go of any doubts. The agricultural lifestyle can be daunting and you can be your own worst enemy. So control what you can and “get to gettin’”! Jessica Nickels is another woman in agriculture in our area. She married into a long-standing successful family operation in September 2014. The Nickels family has
Women
Thursday
7
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Peformance Tested COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Jessica Nickels and Badger pause for a selfie while moving cows south of the spillway.
EPDs Length
Fertility Tested
Delivered
Growth
Glasgow Stockyards Sires Represented COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Kristine Bowman gives her son a birds-eye-view while at a family gathering in the Flathead. ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD FOR FARM & RANCH One thing I enjoy is visiting with, and hearing the stories of, other women in agriculture. When Farm & Ranch asked me to interview several women from our area, I was very excited. I hope that I can do justice to their stories and that you will be encouraged by their resiliency, determination and courage. Audra Cornwell-Ortega is the fourth generation of her family to be carrying on the tradition that her great grandparents started 125 years ago. She now lives in her childhood home with her husband and two
daughters. She and her husband work with their immediate family and cousins on their family operation that consists of a cow, calf and yearling operation. Before having kids, she was very much involved with all the day-to-day aspects of the operation - including haying, feeding, branding, riding, etc. Now that she has children she still is involved in those aspects, but has transitioned to doing more office, bookwork, and providing meals, while raising her daughters. One of the qualSee WOMEN, Page 7
YOU’RE READING HI-LINE FARM & RANCH – THE AG MONTHLY FOR NORTHEAST & NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA
Connealy Capitalist 1922 RA Identity A52 Humbert HD 2677 HAR Program 2938
Reg. #17585540 Reg. #16919860 Reg. #17386405 Reg. #17386433
RA Identity A52
CAR Incredibull 239 BT Final Product 1533 FAR Chisum 200 S Chisum 0338
Reg. #17378118 Reg. #17662629 Reg. #17359369 Reg. #16661694
BT Final Product 1533
“Two Breeders – With One Idea”
Breed cattle that work for us and our customers View bull sale data at Pelton Livestock Marketing & Consulting – www.billpelton.com
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April2016 2016 April
Women CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 been in operation for 100 years. There are currently three generations working at this time. They raise Herefords that have strong line-one genetics, and are focused on producing quality livestock. Jessica really enjoys working together with her husband haying, irrigating, moving cows, etc., but calving and anything
that offers her the chance to ride horseback are her favorite parts of the operation. Jessica feels that patience, flexibility, and a secure relationship with your partner are the most important qualities to have as a woman in agriculture. She said that you have to realize that the cows will always come first and you have to understand that total investment is what it takes to make it work. Remind yourself that your husband is only your husband for part of the year. You have to be independent and understand that you
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married into a unique agricultural lifestyle. When asked what piece of wisdom she would pass on to another woman in agriculture, Jessica said that it’s important to learn to love each other, even when you don’t like each other. Kristine Bowman is a woman in agriculture that married into a 4-generation farm family. She lives with her husband, two sons and one daughter on the Bowman family farm northwest of Hinsdale. Their operation involves farming pulse crops such as lentils and grain. They also have cows and irrigated hay ground. Kristine doesn’t have quite as active role in the day to day operations like other farm wives, but her role is important just the same. She cares for their children, provides meals and helps to move vehicles. She is available whenever possible. Three qualities that she feels are especially important for a woman in agriculture are
flexibility - plans are always changing; independence - because at times you are a single mom; and support through prayer - asking guidance as the operation must change as the needs of agriculture change. The piece of wisdom she would share with other women in agriculture is that it is important to understand that you are not only marrying the farmer, you marry the farm. You marry into a lifestyle, so be ready and accepting of the uniqueness of this role. The thing I’ve learned from visiting with women in agriculture is that to be “successful” you don’t have to have a certain size of operation, a certain number of cows or even be involved in the farming/ranching full-time. What you do have to have is a heart for agriculture, an investment in seeing your operation thrive and a determination and drive for making it better than the year before.
ANNUAL BULL SALE
APRIL 13, 2016 SELLING
100 YEARLING BULLS 80 ANGUS HEIFERS 10 F1 BALDY HEIFERS BASIN EXCITEMENT
Bulls Bred For:
BLM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Category One – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-ofway, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation. Category Two – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. Category Three – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large. A term on a RAC is for three years. The BLM-Montana/Dakotas has vacancies on each of its four RACs. Western Montana: Send nominations to David Abrams, 106 N. Parkmont, Butte, MT, 59701, (406) 533-
FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH 7617. Central Montana: Send nominations to Jonathan Moor, 920 NE Main Street, Lewistown, MT, 59457, (406) 538-1943. Eastern Montana: Send nominations to Mark Jacobsen, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT, 59301, (406) 233-2831. Dakotas: Send nominations to Mark Jacobsen, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT, 59301, (406) 233-2831. More information is available at www. blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/resource_advisory. html. This site also includes a link to the background nomination form. Please also visit us on the web at www. blm.gov/mt. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BLMMontana, or follow us on Twitter @BLM_MTDKs. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.
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Red & Black Simmental & Sim/Angus
Bull Sale May 5 • Glasgow Stockyards
Lunch at noon • Sale starts at 1 p.m. 40 Head Solid Head Solid Red 50 Black Head• 40 Black
15 Head Solid Red Composite yeARlINg BullS Thick – Meaty – Moderate Framed – Easy Calving A. I. Sires Represented Black Angus – Resource, Absolute, Rampage, Prophet, Ten X Red Angus – Big Iron, Box Beef Black Simmental – Upgrade, Catalyst Red Stabilizer – Cadillac, Total Package Black Stabilizer – Trinity,Yosemite This herd has produced the top rate-of-gain steer 7 of the last 8 years at the NE Montana Fair.
“Breeding Simmentals since 1969”
Don Nelson
Nelson Ranch Floyd Nelson, Jr.
(406) 367-5261 • cell 263-5261 188 Nelson Rd. • Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-2024 • cell 263-5251 PO Box 254 • Glasgow, MT 59230
NEW & USED TRUCKS AND CARS
Other Sires: H PRA 141 249 H Sitz Game Day 334Y H Sitz Impression 0512 H Dietz Viking 1183
All In One Convenient Location
Embryo Calves by:
440 Highway 2 West • Glasgow • Across from the Fairgrounds 406-228-9325 • 406-228-4381 • 1-800-255-1472 Family owned by the Newton Boys! Rent A Car See Doug, Andy, Terry, Kenny or Ted!
H Rito 054 GDAR H Candolier Forever 376 141 For More Information, Contact:
078 WINDY 377 JV
April 2016 April 2016
NEWTON MOTORS, INC.
1:00 PM •AT THE RANCH • FAIRVIEW, MT H Gentle Disposition H Calving Ease H Maternal Strength H Soundness & Longevity
DFA HERO 6017
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SY Clearstone CL2
14043 County Rd. 340• Fairview, MT 59221 Jim Vitt 406-798-3653 Dale Vitt 406-798-3398 406-480-5676 C e-mail djvitt@midrivers.com
Winter Wheat for Montana
SY Wolf
Decade
The New Top Performer
MSU/NDSU Release
» New high yielding two-gene herbicide tolerant variety
» Later maturity, good protein and excellent winterhardiness
SY Wolf
Control Weeds Before They Overwinter
AP503 CL2
» Good yields under 2015 disease pressure
For Sale At Private Treaty Performance Tested
» Excels in heavy residue
CLEARFIELD* Production System » Proven winterhardiness
Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls
Black & Red (mostly black) — Polled Yearlings & Two Year Olds —Satisfaction & Calving Ease Guaranteed—
Praise The Lord Gelbvieh
Dale & Cindy Andersen Reserve, Montana
406-286-5602
Cell: 765-7836 765-7834
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD / FOR FARM & RANCH
Audra Cornwell-Ortega wrangles more than livestock. Here, she's shown with her two girls, baby Avathe and Hayzle while feeding cows at her Aunt Peggy's place.
406-747-5217 | 406-489-0165 Cell Winter Wheat for Montana
Clearfield is a trademark of BASF. ©2002 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. Always read and follow label directions.
PVPA 1994—Unauthorized propagation PVPA 1994—Unauthorized propagation prohibited. Plant variety protection granted or prohibited. Plant variety protection granted or applied for Syngenta varieties. applied for Syngenta varieties.
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What do “low cost” ag suppliers
FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH
REALLY do for you?
When You Buy From Us, We Give You Added Value! Let's Work Together
We Can Only Continue To Provide Service In Our Communities If YOU Support Those Services! After The Initial Sale— WHAT Is Your "Discount" Supplier Offering You?
When you buy your chemical & fertilizer from us we can help you with . . . • Crop Scouting • Weed Identification Services • Soil Analysis • Crop Spraying • Application Recommendations • Fertilizer Application • And Much More
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BLM Seeks Nominations to Resource Advisory Councils
ANN BOUCHER FOR FARM & RANCH The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for open positions on its Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the BLM on public land issues. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 45 days, until May 2. The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 39 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest or expertise in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers get the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.
We Offer Many Services to Our Customers . . .
Bulk Fuel Delivery Tires - Batteries - Brakes 24 Hour Gas & Fuel Oxygen/Acetylene Tanks Full-Line Hardware Store
We Also Offer Full Commodity Marketing
Value Added Services . . . Use them to your advantage and Are You Getting This Kind Of Value Where You Buy?
!
Plus, if you pay in advance, earn a 6% premium Or 6% discount for cash at time of purchase! RAMONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH
Scobey • Flaxville • Peerless • Richland • Opheim • Four Buttes 487-2741
474-2231
893-4398
724-3353
762-3231
783-5519
Series on Glasgow Stock Hands Continues GINEVRA KIRKLAND FOR FARM & RANCH
PHOTOS BY WHITNEY PAJU / FOR FARM & RANCH
Needs . . .
Hinsdale-based photographer Ramona Doebler captured what she describes as, "The third sure sign of spring: three toms strutting their stuff."
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Spotlight on the Stockyards
Hannah Lambrecht rounds up cattle bound for the sale at the Glasgow Stockyards on a chilly March 17.
The People, The Know How And The Products To Cover All Your
maximize your yields!
FARM & FARM & RANCH RANCH
See BLM, Page 5
To All Of Our Patrons Across Our Trade Area
• • • • •
April2015 2016 April
“The BLM Resource Advisory Councils are an important forum for the community conversation that is a key component of public land management,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. “With representatives with different land use perspectives, the RACs give community members an opportunity to dig into local issues and explore possible solutions.” Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. Each of the 34 RACs has different positions open in the following categories:
We Have . . . A Full Agronomy Staff Available
• On Farm Tire Service • Shop Services & Minor Repairs • Oil & Filters • Feed (Crystalyx) • Lawn Care Items • Fencing Equipment
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Continuing in our series about the people behind the hard work at Glasgow Stockyards, we asked veteran cowgirl Hannah Lambrecht to give the Courier readership some insight into what makes the job tick for her. Lambrecht got her start when her twin sister’s mother-in-law mentioned that the stockyards was looking for an extra hand. She started with their Thanksgiving sale of 2011, one of the stockyards’ biggest sales in history. Lambrecht's first day was 22 hours long, cold, and she wondered what, exactly, she’d gotten herself into. However, she was asked to come back a few weeks later, and jumped at the chance. The rest, she said, is history. When asked about who her role models were growing up, she mentioned her family. Her father taught her about the meaning of hard work, and her mother had great horse sense: both great examples for a young person who already had a fire to want to train and ride. Her mother-in-law, Kim Ferguson, is “a true cowgirl” and continues
to be a daily source of inspiration. The current calving and foaling season is her favorite. “I’m a sucker for baby animals, and it only gets better with branding time and farming.” Every day at the stockyards is different. Accepting change, and the ups and downs of each day with good humor is what helps everyone at the stockyards has a good time while they work. The great people, and the atmosphere they create, are what make the stockyard a place Lambrecht has enjoyed working at for four-and-a-half-years. A bonus for Lambrecht is to get to work her own horses, which is, admittedly, more fun in the warmer weather that is coming up. Predicting what will go right, or wrong, in any season, is a waste of time, as ranching comes with enough stress on its own without adding more to the mix. This no-nonsense approach also applies to Lambrecht’s advice for young people looking to succeed in a similar field: she says that much know-how is learned on the job, but that if you work hard, you’ll succeed, and you, “definitely learn fast from mistakes when it comes to cattle and horse-related work!”
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Pruning: Limit pruning to 25 percent or less of live growth in any year. n Continued from page 3 pruned off to give the tree a single, strong trunk, he said. The hole for the tree should be twice the diameter of the pot in which the tree has been growing, he said, because the roots need to be spread out in the hole. Preparing the tree for healthy root growth should include pruning the outside layer of the root ball — where thread-like roots grow around the inside of the pot — and the remaining stout roots spread out in the bottom of the hole. Any roots that cross another and can't be straightened need to be pruned, and the largest root should be pointing toward the prevailing wind to give the tree the most strength against the stress of repetitive and high winds. If the young tree has been grafted to a root structure, as apple trees are, the graft needs to be above ground, he added. Any branches growing in the wrong direction, as described in the side bar at right, should be trimmed, but Hybner cautioned that if the young tree has branches low on the trunk, those should be left on the tree. “I’ve never been comfortable with pruning a tree to a stick in this area,” said Hybner, who grew up north of Rudyard. Those lowest branches gather nutrition from the sun while the tree grows above. Each year after the first or second year, one layer of lower branches, starting with the lowest, can be trimmed off until the lowest branch is the desired height off the ground. Tree trunks always grow in height from the top of the tree, so the height a branch grows out from the trunk will always remain the same. A low-growing, 3/4-inch tree limb that is hitting people in the face will never get farther off the ground, but maybe one day it will be a 3” limb that really hurts to be run into. Keeping on top of the pruning will save hassles and save stressing the tree later by taking a major limb.
Pruning for Health Dead limbs and suckers can be trimmed from trees and shrubs any time of the year, but a few rules of thumb will help make pruning helpful rather than hurtful, Hybner said. • Pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs, including fruit-bearing, should be done after the worst cold of winter has passed and before the leaves bud out. The exception to this rule is that flowering shrubs that do not grow fruit, such as lilacs, should be trimmed after the flowers have died. Evergreens are trimmed after the first growth has started because the tree needs the pitch to be running to seal the wounds from pruning. Formal hedges have their own development and maintenance needs that homeowners will have to research. • Do not prune more than 25 percent of a tree’s live growth in any year — and less if the tree is already stressed from damage or disease. • Cut limbs at a 45-degree angle 1/8 to 1/4 inch past a node or bud. New growth will come from the bud or node, and any limb
Which Limbs to Cut Hybner recommended pruning in this order: • Dead limbs • Suckers — unless you are trimming overly mature growth from a shrub and suckers are needed to refill the plant's shape. • Limbs growing straight up, straight down, toward the trunk, or across another limb. • Unnecessary limbs and growth — including too many limbs in one area, an over-long limb or a double leader. • Diseased vegetation — which is trimmed back 6 inches from the last sign of disease. Cuttings with disease should be burned right away and all pruning tools cleaned with hydrogen peroxide before being used on another plant. left past that bud will turn into a dead stub and might get diseased or cause more limb death. • When trimming a limb from the trunk, don’t leave a stub. Cut the limb 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch from the branch collar, which is the fatter, swollen part of the limb where it connects to the trunk. That branch collar will grow, or form a callous, around the open wound left after a limb is cut off. • Be careful not to cut into or shave off the branch collar. • Do not rip the bark — it doesn’t grow
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Feeding the Young Tree People need to resist putting a lot of nutrients in the hole with the newly planted tree, Hybner said. This will discourage the tree from spreading out its roots in search of more nutrients. Trees need the roots to grow out to make the tree more stable. The soil should be mixed with 1/3 compost to 2/3 soil from the hole. Another recommendation from Hybner for developing strong roots is to avoid drip irrigation, which encourages roots to grow on the surface. It is better, he said, to give the tree a good soaking on occasion. And fertilizer spikes don’t work, he said. People will do more for their tree spending money on ground fabric around the base of the tree to keep grass and weeds away. These smaller plants will use up the tree’s nutrients and invite harm from weed-eating and mowing around the base of the tree. to be cut back in ways that are detrimental to the health of the plant, Hybner said. Trees that might otherwise be healthy are weakened because the top half, one side, or even a big V-shape in the middle, are lopped off to protect a power line or building. People should be aware of how tall and wide a tree or shrub has the potential to grow and plant them accordingly, he added. A dwarf variety of tree might be able to be planted under a high power line rather than a towering cottonwood, he said. A shrub planted next to a house, sidewalk
FARM & RANCH or fence should be a variety of low-growing plant tolerant of pruning and training, which should be done from the beginning, to keep the plant from blocking a porch or window view or invading the walkway or fence line. Hybner said he sees junipers and lilacs most often planted too close to buildings and walkways. It is better to err on the side of caution by planting farther away from structures than seems necessary, Hybner said, adding that his rule of thumb for a tree is to measure or step off the appropriate distance away from the nearest structure, then take two more steps away.
The First Pruning Pruning begins prior to planting a new tree or shrub, Hybner said, adding that this is the only time pruning includes the roots as well as the limbs. If the tree has a double leader — a trunk that splits into two branches, both growing upward — then one of the leaders has to be Havre Daily News/Pam Burke A young tree, planted in 2014 at Montana State University's Northern Agricultural Research Center, is shown before and after being pruned March 19 by Research Associate Roger Hybner and attendees of Hybner's tree pruning workshop. Among other improvements, the pruned tree, right, has more spacing between branches for healthier growth.
n Continued on page 10
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In a tree pruning workshop at Montana State University’s Northern Agricultural Research Center March 19, Research Associate Roger Hybner offered tips on pruning practices for healthy trees. Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com Trees and shrubs are pruned for safety, plant health and aesthetic reasons, Hybner said. In other words, sometimes branches are trimmed to keep them from damaging property or people, or blocking a path or view. Sometimes the plant itself needs the help because a branch is growing in a direction that will end up weakening the structure or because a part of the plant is diseased or dead. Other times, a tree or shrub is trimmed to make it looked more balanced or to shape it. Pests, Mother Nature and poor manage-
FARM & RANCH ment can kill trees, Hybner said, but given their regenerative properties, "a tree is a plant that should never die." Two of the most common mankind-generated problems that threaten a tree's longevity are choosing the wrong plant species and choosing the wrong location. Hybner said planting trees and shrubs that are native to the area is the best aid to keeping plants healthy and thriving. But, when buying nonnative trees and shrubs, people should buy those rated for Winter Hardiness Zone 3 weather conditions, though he added that some Zone 4 species can thrive if they have adequate shelter from the harshest elements. While people can do well getting plants that are tolerant of the generally alkaline, clay-based soil most common in north-central Montana, he said other localized conditions can affect plants, as well. A nearby saline leach, a septic system’s drain field, or run-off from a feedlot can alter the chemical properties of the soil and the amount of moisture sitting in the soil. Two of the best ways to help choose the proper plant for an area are to look at what is growing well in a neighbor’s yard, he said, adding that local county Extension offices and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have suggestions and resources. The location a tree or shrub is planted might stunt or kill the plant, such as planting a spruce tree, which likes drier soils, near a septic system drain field. Trees planted under power lines or too close to a house or other building may need
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FARM & RANCH
back. Keeping tools sharp is crucial, and when using a saw to cut large limbs, use a three-step method in which the first two cuts remove the majority of the limb and the third cut prunes the limb near the branch collar. The first cut is across the bottom side of the limb, out away from the branch collar. The second cut is across the top, at a point slightly farther down the limb from the first cut — a half inch is sufficient — and it cuts through the limb. The third cut trims the limb at the branch collar, without the weight of the limb to cause problems. • Frequently step back and view the tree from different sides to make sure the pruning is creating a balanced tree. • Limbs can be trained to a certain extent. A limb growing at less than a 45-degree angle away from the trunk should be removed or trained to grow out lower by bracing it away from the trunk or weighting the branch to make it droop.
trim a limb, leave it until the next year,” he said. “I’d wait until the tree greens up in the spring then tie some ribbon around the dead limbs so I know what to cut off next spring.” Be careful with trees that have not be kept up with regular pruning, Hybner said. They can have hidden weaknesses from rotted or poorly formed limbs or trunks. Branches being held down by a crossing limb can pop free once the ill-growing limb is cut off. And weak roots can give way. When trimming nonhedge shrubs, especially fruit bearing shrubs, he said, any main trunk that grows to more than 1” diameter should be cut down at the base of the shrub and younger growth allowed to freshen the plant. For people who want to plant trees, whether as a yard decoration or a windbreak, he recommended searching out native species but to stay away from “trashy” species, such as willow, which lose a lot of limbs every year. If the trees are to be planted in a shelter belt, and the landowner wants to cut down on the amount of pruning needed, Hybner
Old Growth, Unkempt Trees
Havre Daily News/Pam Burke Research Associate Roger Hybner and pruning workshop attendee Chris Anderson trim an apple tree at Fort Assinniboine March 19. The tree, which Hybner said was likely planted when the fort was built, shows the effects of time and lack of attention. Given the tree's poor condition, with many dead limbs and large patches of missing bark, Hybner said he would trim the dead limbs from the tree and only enough live growth this year to help encourage new, healthy growth without stressing the tree.
Whether it’s a single tree in the yard, or rows of trees in a wind break, sometimes the tree growth gets away from the property owner. All is not lost, though. Hybner said even trees that have a lot of dead limbs and stubs can be revived by pruning. He also emphasized the importance of sticking to the limit of pruning no more than 25 percent of growth in a year. In cases when it is hard to tell which limbs are alive and which are dead, he recommended waiting to prune “When in doubt about whether or not to
Havre Daily News illustration/Pam Burke • Numbers 1 and 2 illustrate the threestep method of cutting a larger limb to help ensure the weight of the limb doesn't leave a wound on the tree by tear bark as the limb is removed. Number 3 is the final cut at the branch collar. • Item A shows the stub of a limb left too long for the branch collar to form a callous over the cut. • Item B shows a callous forming over a pruned limb. Hybner said it takes about three years for the callous close over.
www.havredailynews.com recommended planting in tree clusters that include fruit-bearing shrubs. This creates a micro-habitat for birds, deer and other wildlife, that is left to grow as in nature. Only the ground around the clusters is kept grassfree. While this publication is most likely appearing after deciduous trees have begun budding leaves, summer is still a good time to remove dead growth and stubs, as well as suckers and diseased limbs. This is also a good time to examine the plants’ health and formulate a plan for future pruning of live limbs. Some of Hybner’s recommended sources: • “Pruning Made Easy,” by Lewis Hill. • MSU Cooperative Extension bulletins: “Pruning Deciduous Trees,” “Pruning Fruit Trees in Montana” and “What’s Wrong with This Tree?” • Arbor Day Foundation’s “Right Tree for the Right Place.” • Internet search of “Alex Shigo Tree Pruning” for links to a variety of articles, educational materials and videos. • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
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Hi-Line
April 2016
FARM & RANCH
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Trimming TREE HEALTH for