Tre e C a re A d v i s o r N ew s l e t t e r http:// www.mntca.org
Dave Hanson and Gary Johnson, Managing Editors
Inside This Issue:
Volume 10 Number 2
Well, this springtime issue is taking a look at the ever popular Juglandaceae species in Minnesota.
The “Messy” Juglans By Dave Hanson
1 Those would be Black walnut (Juglans nigra) and Butternut (Juglans cinerea). Urging my feet to grow a bit, I have gingerly stepped into Mike Zin’s shoes and for the first walk, I stumbled across
Quick Hits By Dave Hanson
2
Putting Down Roots: By Cliff Johnson
3
Favorite Plants By Bruce Granos
4
2003 TCA Grads By Dave Hanson Black Walnut : Value by Meagan Keefe January 18th: Questionaire Results By Mike Sombrio Big Tree Registries: What’s That Smell? By Eric Mader Contacts
black walnut. Following that theme, I have included an article from the University of Minnesota’s own Meagan Keefe regarding the potential value of that walnut tree in your yard. Bruce Granos also mentions black walnut as one of his favorite trees for the landscape. Enjoy! The Walnuts (Juglans nigra and Juglans cinerea): The “Kings of Messy” By: Dave Hanson
you are looking at a tree full of
5 There are numerous trees that beautiful, tasty walnuts, you’re not complaining. On the other have the reputation of being hand, if it’s Saturday morning 6 “Messy.” I have heard comand you are out to manicure plaints about northern catalpa 10 and its beans, big leaves, and big that lovely green turf and there are walnuts dropping out of flowers. Then there is honeythat ______ tree, you are locust and those tiny leaves 12 complaining. Especially, during that you cannot rake up. Peothe heavy nut crop years. In 13 ple complain about cottonsimilar fashion to most nut wood with its drifts of cotton trees, walnuts may be pro16 and those darn oaks dropping duced every year but the heavy those little round acorns. nut crops are typically on a two However, two of the leaders in to three year cycle. generating complaints are undoubtedly – Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and its close cousin Butternut (Juglans cinerea).
ing preparations for winter and Juglans nigra - Winter form
doomed by homeowners attempting to garden the soils near a walnut tree. Many parts of the tree including leaves, nut husks, roots, and inner bark contain and exude the chemical hydrojuglone. Juglone, a toxin to many plants is produced when hydrojuglone breaks down and it can stay in the soil. So, to sensitive plants, the area immediately under the tree can be highly toxic and as you move beyond the drip line of the tree the toxins will diminish but are present throughout the
Unfortunately for black walnut and butternut, another trait tends to irritate and frustrate homeowners. Tomato plants
Now, if you are a squirrel mak-
just tomatoes, has been
root zone. Sensitive plants, see table below, can be affected if their roots are within ¼ to ½ inch of a walnut tree root.
know all about the covert allelopathic capabilities of walnut trees. Many a garden plant, not
Continued page 7
Page 2
Quick Hits Hey there Tree Care Advisors, whether you have home access or need to run off to a local library – check out the TCA website www.mntca.org. I am keeping things up to date out there and there are plenty of suggestions for volunteer opportunities.
So, one of the topics at the Shade Tree Short Course was “What’s Buggin’ You.” A brief look at several insect genera that tend to cause us some discomfort. The talk was fairly focused on black flies, ticks and mosquitoes. West Nile virus and Lymes disease are here. Some common sense rules to stay safe while at play in Minnesota: •
Wear long sleeve shirts and pants outdoors during peek mosquito activity time periods
•
Apply repellent sparingly only to exposed skin or clothing.
•
Keep repellents away from eyes, nostrils and lips: do not inhale or ingest repellents or get them into the eyes.
•
Avoid applying high-concentration (>30% DEET) products to the skin, particularly of children.
•
Avoid applying repellents to portions of children's hands that are likely to have contact with eyes or mouth.
• Black Legged (deer tick) Tick Photo: courtesy of http://www.mmcd.org/
Use repellent sparingly; one application will last approximately 4-6 hours. Saturation does not increase efficacy.
Another “friend” of mine is also back for another season, Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). It has been several years since my last experience with poison ivy (courtesy of my four legged friend), but that occasion was miserable. For my time in the woods, I have learned that long pants and non-lacing boots work very well. This combo keeps the ticks out too! Another key item in my arsenal (advertisement here) is Tecnu “Outdoor Skin Cleanser”a good oil (urushiol) remover for my hands and my clothing. Since discovering this product I have not been bothToxicodendron radicans Left: Winter form - White berries
ered with a miserable poison ivy attack. However; the best defense is to know what poison ivy plants look like all year.
on a woody stem Right : summer - leaves of 3
How many of the TCA “alpha” members have been counting the years? This is the tenth anniversary of the Minnesota TCA program! Congratulations to all of you on a successful venture
Page 3
Putting Down Roots - A column in the Chaska Herald. Fall good time to search for
search them out and study
The third sample is found eve-
natural garden art
them up close.
rywhere in southern Minne-
By Cliff Johnson,
One of the samples was a 6-ft.
sota. Whenever I have passed
Carver County TCA I asked participants in a recent
stem of gray dogwood (Cornus this sample around, it has been identified incorrectly as burning racemosa). Unless you’re fa-
class to identify three woody
miliar with gray dogwood, it
bush (Euonymus atropur-
plant samples. Everyone had a
would be difficult to identify
pureus). It actually is a branch
chance to examine each sample from just the stem. What I find from bur oak (Quercus macas it passed from row to row. interesting about gray dogwood rocarpa). The soft, corky, deeply ridged gray bark does When the samples had reached is its ability to grow a long the back of the room, I offered skinny stem without bending or somewhat resemble the breaking in the wind. The 6-ft deeply ridged bark of burning an autographed copy of my sample was only about 3/8-inch bush but up close, the two book to anyone who could nally awarded the book to a
in diameter at the bottom, thin- stems look quite different. I ner at the top. I have used the have also observed that some
woman who correctly identi-
stems to make trellises,
bur oak trees exhibit much
fied one of the three items.
wreaths and ornamental stars.
greater bark ridges than others.
identify all three samples. I fi-
In spring, I’ve even braided the Part of the difficulty in identify-
supple stems to create a more
A year ago, I had to cut down a
ing the samples was that they
unusual look.
bur oak that was growing too close to another and I was so
were out of context - I had removed the leaves and the
The second sample was incor-
fascinated by the ridgy bark on
only thing participants had to
rectly identified in my class as
the upper branches that I saved
go on was the woody stems.
bamboo. Yes, I admit it cer-
them for some future craft
I selected the three samples
tainly looked like bamboo. But project. They’re still hanging I wasn’t willing to accept bam- from a rope in my garage
from my yard to demonstrate
boo as a correct answer be-
them up close and utilize them in ways that accentuate their
(Poaceae/grass family) that can’t One other native plant with survive Minnesota winters. My garden art potential is Virginia
most striking characteristics.
plant sample was giant miscan-
Finding new ways of looking at and appreciating and using
thus (Miscanthus 'Giganteus'). I quefolia), also called woodbine have grown this 10 ft. grass for and American ivy. The pliable
woody plant materials has be-
years and appreciate its vigor-
vines of Virginia Creeper criss-
come sort of a hobby for me. I
ous growth, occasional flower-
cross my shaded lot to form a
awaiting some sort of garden-
how visually interesting various cause bamboo is part of a com- art inspiration. plants can be when we look at pletely different plant family
Creeper (Parthenocissus quin-
ing (3 years out of 10) and
1-ft. tall carpet of the plant’s 5straight, stiff bamboo-like canes lobed leaves. There’s no way to treasure -- creating natural that are strong enough for fishmeasure it, but I must have garden art from woody plants.” ing poles and useful in all sorts several hundred miles of this I point out that our yards and vine growing on my property. gardens contain countless ob- of craft projects. teach a class titled “Trash to
jects of art if we take time to
Virginia Creeper also climbs vertically and has completely
Quercus macrocarpa: corky ridges
Page 4
Putting Down Roots... covered my two arbors. It
roots of Virginia Creeper func- resourceful people have fabri-
grows up trees and up the
tion sort of like rawhide thong
walls of many homes and farm
when wrapped around joints of plants.
buildings with the aid of its
arbors and trellises. I secure
branched tendrils that become
the branches with screws or
What do you have growing
modified into disk-shaped suc-
wire, then use the vine wraps
around you that might be
tion cups on a wall. In the fall,
to camouflage the mechanical
shaped into an object of art or
leafy red strands of Virginia
fasteners.
something of practical use? Fall
Creeper appear to ignite the
cated from various common
is a good time to look around
ground as well as vertical
I’ve mentioned four plants that
your yard or neighborhood for
spaces where vines have
have interesting visual charac-
the raw materials that are just
climbed buildings or trees.
teristics and useful properties.
waiting to be crafted into natu-
Each time I attend an arts and
ral garden art.
A year ago, I discovered that
crafts show, I am amazed by
the vines and underground
the creations and crafts that
Favorite Plants for the Home Landscape: By: Bruce Granos fortress when stormy. Its can-
excellent trees, shrubs and
opy is fairly thin so sunlight can all, it’s not plagued by the dis-
plants available for the home
reach the ground to allow grass ease problems associated with
landscape. Each has their own
to grow. It turns a beautiful
characteristics that may or may yellow in the fall and makes
cones are a winter treat for
planting site. Plant material
leaves in a short period of time. hungry birds.
that makes a superb display in
The walnuts can be a problem
Large Shrub: American Cran-
one site may struggle in an-
with the marauding squirrels
berry Bush Viburnum
it, my neighbors do not appre-
sunlight available. The following ciate the tree as I do!
Spruce (Picea glauca ‘densata’)
Blue Spruce. Its many seed
raking easy by dropping its
the weather, soil and the
close relative of Black Hills
the too often planted Colorado
not work in your particular
other. Success also depends on and children and you guessed
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
be a bluish green color. Best of
There are literally hundreds of
“Wentworth” It is a heavily fruiting red berried shrub that reaches 12 feet
are my favorites. This list can
Evergreen: Black Hills Spruce tall and wide. With a little
change from year to year de-
This tree is actually related to
pending on how they do in my
our native White Spruce found be a small tree. The tree has
yard!!!
throughout Minnesota and
numerous large white blooms
Tree: Black Walnut
Wisconsin. It’s a tough, slow
in the spring with the leaves
This tree thrives in my back-
growing tree reaching 40 feet
turning a reddish purple color
yard. This tree sends down a
and sports a more slender, and in the fall. The quarter inch
large taproot which combined
dense appearance when com-
red berries cover the shrub all
with the extremely hard and
pared to other spruces. The
winter until spring so it can
valuable wood, stands like a
needles are short and tend to
Continued:page 9
work, it can also be trained to
Page 5
The Newest Tree Care Advisors Can you blame us? Just look outside! Spring has sprung, April showers (we hope) bring May flowers. There will soon be new, fresh, energetic little creatures running all over our yards, chewing up our plants, trashing our beloved perennials – Oops! Sorry! – I got off a little off track… Back to the new, fresh, energetic creatures – We have some new, fresh, and energetic Tree Care Advisors! Introducing the Graduates of 2003: Joseph Baltrukonis Ramsey Maureen Carlson
Hennepin
Diane Crea
Washington
Karen Dalton
Anoka
Sharon Decker
Hennepin
Jackie Jasperson
Anoka
Annette LeDuc
Hennepin
Lisa McDonald
Hennepin
Betsy McDonough Washington Laurie McRostie
Hennepin
Don Oberdorfer
Ramsey
John W. O'Reilly
Anoka
Theresa Rooney
Hennepin
Charles Shultz
Ramsey
Gail Soens
Dakota
Judy Stubbs
Anoka
Sara Tinetti
Dakota
Robert Wright
Otter Tail
Intro to pruning tools by Dave.
You’ll be seeing these folks at Master Gardener meetings, update sessions and out in your communities. So, give them a warm welcome and remember to greet them with our super secret handshake. And Hey, lets be careful out there!
Most of the TCA graduates are pictured below Watching Gary demonstrate pruning on a black walnut...
Page 6
Black Walnut: More Value as a Shade Tree By: Meagan Keefe
or not the tree is free of de-
how free the trunk is from de-
Homeowners often call the
fects. Another concern with
fects such as crookedness,
Forest Resources Extension
urban walnuts is what could
branches, holes, bumps, cracks,
office with questions regarding
possibly be in the trunk itself.
scars, insect or disease damage
their black walnut trees.
An old eye screw from a ham-
and wounds. The fewer the
Sometimes it is to ask why
mock may be in the tree un-
defects, the more valuable the
nothing seems to grow under
known to the current owners
tree. In general, the trees with
them, but more often it is to
and therefore could cause
a large diameter and a long
ask whether or not there is
harm to the person removing
trunk free from most defects
anyone out there who buys
the tree.
are the ones that have the greatest potential for being a
them. They have heard some-
valuable lumber or veneer tree.
where that these trees are
Trunk diameter is measured at
worth quite a bit of money.
4-1/2 feet off the ground. It
Unfortunately, this is not usu-
can be found by measuring
Most trees grown in an urban
ally true for walnuts grown in
around the circumference of
setting, however, do not usually
chanical damage and other prob- an urban setting.
the tree and dividing the cir-
exhibit these characteristics.
lems lower the trees timber
cumference by 3.14. Most buy- An urban tree doesn't have to
Trunks of urban trees are not always in the best of condition. Low branching, poor form, me-
value.
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) has
ers look for trees with a diame- compete with surrounding
often been used for furniture,
ter of more than 18 inches. A
art, gunstocks, and other wood few may purchase smaller diproducts because of the color, ameter trees if they are a part grain and ease of working with
of a group, but those with a
trees for light and therefore will often have a shorter trunk with many branches low to the ground. This gives the tree
the wood. While most logs are diameter of less than 15 inches are of relatively little value. turned into lumber, the best
little if any merchantable height.
logs are turned into veneer.
likely to have been injured or
Urban trees are also more
Veneer is a very thin sheet of
Tree height is also taken into
subject to disease than a tree
wood that can be used to
consideration. Merchantable
grown in the forest.
cover another species of wood height means the trunk height or plywood to give it the apfrom the base to the point
The biggest reason most buy-
pearance of another, in this
where major branches or trunk ers will not purchase urban
case, walnut. This allows wal-
forking begin. A buyer will
walnuts is the potential risk
nut looking products to be
look for trees that would con-
that they may contain objects
produced at a much lower
tain logs with a merchantable
imbedded in the trunk that
cost.
height of 8-10 feet (this is espe- could pose a substantial risk for cially the case for logs that may injury when removing and
Hidden dangers inside of trees. Photo taken at Cindy Ash’s “Tree House of Horrors�
processing the tree. If the tree
Whether the walnut will be
be used for veneer). In most
used for lumber or veneer,
cases more than one log is nec- is large enough for the owner
there are several characteris-
essary for consideration by a
to consider selling it for lum-
tics that determine whether or buyer.
ber, it could very likely have a
not the tree is valuable for sale,
foreign object from 25-50 years
including trunk diameter,
Tree quality is another consid-
ago in its trunk that the owner
height, branching and whether
eration. This is measured by
would not know about. Continued:page 9
The “Kings of Messy”, Continued from Page 1 I am sure you know the old adage, “three strikes and you are out.” Well, fortunately for black walnut I cannot think of a third strike in the messy department, but it may have a tough time in urban sites. Black walnut trees may struggle in urban plantings due to soils with low organic matter, with a tendency to be droughty and elevated pH can be bother-
Characteristics: Out of twenty Juglans species worldwide, six are native to the native to Minnesota: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) and Butternut (Juglans cinerea). Distinguishing these two close relatives takes just a little practice and the knowledge of what to look for.
approximately one third of an inch long and tannish in color.
Compare those characteristics with butternut’s green-gray to
Chambered Piths, Note colors.
reddish brown, stout, hairy twigs. Cut into the twig to find the dark colored (chocolate), chambered pith and take a close look at the monkey’s face for a hairline above the leaf
Both Butternut and Black wal-
factors, but the result is usually nut have deciduous, alternate, slower growth and reduced
Lesson: Winter Identification
United States. Two species are
some also. The species is tough and can handle these
The buds of black walnut are
Page 7
pinnately compound leaves.
potential (see Meagan’s article). Typically, the compound leaves
scar. The bud is a little darker
Nuts in Husks, Note the shapes
brownish color and approximately one half to three quarters of an inch long.
consist of an odd number of Black walnut is shade intolerant and thrives on deep fertile soils found in well drained bottomlands. Here the species can attain heights of 50 to 90 feet. The historic range of this species covered most of the east-
sessile leaflets (no petiole). Leaf margins are finely toothed and the fall color is yellow. On black walnut look for the terminal leaflet to be smaller than the other leaflets or the leaflet may be completely absent.
The fruit of both trees are hard
Nut shells: an internal look
shelled nuts encased in husks.
Top three photos: Walnut
The husks are bright green in
(Left) and Butternut (right)
the summer turning to a dark brown as they mature. Go ahead and peel a few with your bare hands. You’ll soon learn to appreciate the dark brown
ern U.S. including south-central and southeastern Minnesota.
Twig and bud characteristics
The National Register of Big
can refine the identification.
Trees gives champion status to
Black walnut has light brown to
a Juglans nigra on Sauvie Island,
orange-brown, slightly hairy,
Oregon with the following
stout twigs with a light colored
measurements: height - 130
(tan), chambered pith. The leaf
feet, crown spread – 140 feet
scars resemble a monkey’s face
and a trunk circumference of
with 3 bundle scars forming the
278 inches (23 feet 2 inches).
eyes and mouth. There is no hair line above the leaf scar – towards the end of the twig.
stain left on your hands that the early settlers appreciated also. This high quality stain, very hard to remove, can be obtained from the husks and from the inner bark. The stain was extracted and was used to color early American home-
Monkey’s Face: The leaf scar
spun textiles. Hence the term
shown here contains three “U”
“Butternuts” referring to some shaped bundle scars that make of the Southern Soldiers during
up the monkey face eyes and mouth. Note the eye brows (hair) on this butternut twig.
Page 8 products, cabinets, gun stocks
the Civil War.
and veneer. Due to the popular- Ok, ok – yes, squirrels like them
Bark characteristics on butternut
ity of both of these species they
will also help distinguish it from smoother, lighter gray colored bark on butternut than on black walnut. This is especially true on
colored bark.
Below: Rough, fissured, dark bark of walnut.
to two inch green (brown when
when timber producers per-
mature) projectiles hiding in the
formed door to door searches
lawn underneath the black wal-
which they offered large sums of only to the walnuts not products
bark of the black walnut tends to butternut
to find. There have been times
looking for good quality trees for nut tree. Yes, I am referring
the upper branches where the break up forming rough, dark
too.
have become increasingly difficult That brings us back to those one
black walnut. Look for a
Top: Smooth, gray bark of
dishes.
money or the timber was
from the family pet. The walnuts
“rustled” during late night ma-
are bothersome and hard to
neuvers.
rake. So, my advice to home-
Traditional uses:
owners, help the tree by spread-
Both species have long been fa-
In addition to its value as a tim-
ing mulch out to the drip line.
vored by cabinet makers. The
ber tree the trees produce a
Then the nuts are mostly out of
beauty of walnut wood is sur-
valuable nut crop. Butternut
the mowers way and the squir-
passed by few other species and
meats although sweeter have a
rels will be fat and happy.
once properly dried the boards
short shelf life before turn-
do not split or warp. Black wal-
ing rancid; therefore black
nut has been an important tim-
walnut meats are favored
ber species for generations. The and are found in a variety dark, chocolate colored wood is
of culinary delights, such as
often used for high end furniture deserts, salads and main Walnut Photos by Dave Hanson - University of Minnesota
Gray Squirrel Photo © donald reeve http://www.scarysquirrel.org/
Susceptible to Juglone: Resistant to Juglone: Cherry Crabapple Elm Hawthorn Locust Maple Red Cedar
Kentucky bluegrass Clover
Basswood (linden) Birch Hackberry Pine
Wild grape Black raspberry
Azalea Rhododendron Cotoneaster Potentilla
. For more information: http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nursery/430-021/430-021.html http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h407blkwal-tox.html
Alfalfa Bean* Blackberry Cucumber* Eggplant Domestic grape Green pepper Potato Tomato
Favorite Plants: Continued from page 4
Black Walnut Value: Continued from page 6:
look quite spectacular against
nials. This variety is hard to find
the snow. The berries are said
so when I see it, I buy it.
to be edible but I have never
Shade loving Perennial:
tried them. The birds tend to
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
leave them alone until late win-
An exciting easy to grow group
ter or spring so they must not
setting. It often makes little
of shade loving plants that are
taste the best. Children love
economic sense for a buyer to
underutilized by gardeners in
bring a crew and equipment in
favor of hostas. These plants
to harvest the tree. Also, most
make excellent “ammo” that
bloom in spring with blue or
urban trees grow fairly close to
can leave red stains on their
pink flowers. Like hostas, some
targets!
varieties have variegated leaves
Small Shrub:Bonica Shrub
or silver spots. Exceptional
Rose
varieties include Berries and
This shrub rose has three to
Cream, Spilled Milk, White
Although walnuts are not often
four inch pink blooms on canes
Wings, Moon and Stars and
considered the ideal shade tree
that can reach 3 to four feet if
David Ward. Like hostas, they
for the yard because the chemi-
this bush as it plentiful red fruit
The last factor is the difficulty and cost of coming to harvest one or two trees in an urban
houses, power lines and other structures that make it difficult, expensive and time consuming to harvest.
grow larger in clumps each year cal juglone they secrete discourages other plants growing and the plant itself is quite dismaking them easy to split for around them; this is often their ease resistant. One big problem new plants. hghest value to the homeowner. with it is that hungry rabbits Annual: Zinnia A large tree can provide shade, love it also and may take it These are one of the most easy beauty and real-estate value to a down to the ground before you and colorful annuals to plant in home that may not be recoveven know what happened. ered by trying to sell it for lumthe garden. Zinnia’s come in left alone. Its leaves are darker
Since it grows on its own hardy
many sizes and colors and can
roots, it comes back every
be directly seeded where you
spring bigger and better than
need color in mid summer and
before.
fall. The tall versions are fantas-
Sun loving Perennial:
tic for cutting. The plants will
Rudbeckia “Herbstonne”
also attract hummingbirds. This
East to grow super sized ver-
is an excellent flower for chil-
sion in the native black-eyed
dren to take care of and grow.
Susan family of plants. This fully
It’s guaranteed to bloom in full
hardy giant reaches 60 inches
sun. I plant them in my vegeta-
tall in full sun and is covered
ble garden to add some color
with yellow blooms from mid
and hide my usually unexciting
August to frost. It makes an
tomatoes!
excellent background plant to the shorter annuals and peren-
ber.
Zinnia elegans : Phot courtesy of Douglas C Needham, Oklahoma State University
Page 9
Page 10
January 18th 2003: Update Training Questionnaire Results January 18th was a banner day as far as TCA update
Have extra handouts on hand (4)
Introducing all people who are leading the sessions and let
sessions go. We had Tree
Know the facility you
Care Advisors and Wood-
are presenting in;
them talk about the
land Advisors from 19
size, location, (4)
upcoming sessions
Minnesota Counties. Part
Watch your time- fin-
Name tags
of the days activities in-
ish on time, better
Small groups
cluded responding to a
to be done a little
small questionnaire.
Don’t use slide “lists”
earlier than later (4)
Coming up with 10
“Helpful Hints for Conducting a Successful Session” were sought along with “Mistakes You Have Learned From.” Here is the list:
Communicate with participants prior to the event -more than once (3) Know your material (3) Reserve enough time
TCA/WA Programming
for Q & A (2)
Questionnaire Results
Use humor, make it a fun learning envi-
Helpful hints for con-
ronment (2)
ducting a successful
Encourage questions
session:
Relax, mistakes will
Know your audience level of knowledge
happen Having clearly com-
hints is a lot of pressure Bring water and hard candies No question is a dumb questions Make sure the weather is good Advertise-local radio and newspaper Reconfirm that you still have a facility reservation Confirm who will copy
municated expecta-
and pay for hand-
Be flexible have a con-
tions (i.e. leaders,
outs
tingency plan; time,
teachers of group
Get there early to see if
equipment failure
(s) you are visiting
the room is open
(5)
are expected to stay
on the topic (8)
Do buddy presentations Multiple training aids; example problems, experimental learning, handouts, illustrations (4)
with group) Get to the information quickly, avoid prolonged introductions. Provide participants with an outline
“Mistake that you’ve learned from:” Not being FULLY prepared, content and setup time (5) Having too much on one slide (3)
Page 11
January 18th 2003: Results continued Not knowing audience
does not exceed room
Buckthorn debate
expectations (3)
capacity
Dealing with city gov-
Time, too much info
“Future update training
ernments about tree
and not enough time or sessions:”
issues
rushing through too
Common tree diseases
What is new in Minne-
quickly (3)
(and insects); how to
sota forestry
Have a contingency
identify and treat them
Benefits of insects and
plan for Audio/Visual
(4)
fungi
equipment (2)
Tree ID (4)
Any TCA topic in
Make your material
The importance of soil
depth
“travel easy”
(4)
Root excavation
Bring an extra exten-
Ten things homeown-
Worms
sion cord…no matter
ers need to know about
what! (2)
What is new in the
their trees (3)
nursery industry
Having slides the right
How to teach youth
(plants)
side up and in order (2)
about trees (2)
Planting native plants
Communicating with
Bailey’s research (2)
the people who know
Tree Health (2)
the room your presenting in can save a lot of headaches; lighting (2) Not having enough handouts Not being flexible Rambling on and on and on…no interaction Shorten up intro and get to the content earlier People like stories Not being passionate about the topic Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” Make sure attendance
Tree risk assessment (2) Stewardship plan (2) Outdoor class discussing tree issues (2) Special concernspruning older trees Understory plant ID Management programs like CRP, WRP, NRCS Wildlife habitat Nursery wholesaler presentation Tree Trust presentation Great River Greening presentation
Air Knife Demonstration by Dave Leaonard at Saint John’s University in Collegeville.
Page 12
American Forests: Searching for America’s Big Trees National Champion, "the Wye
The Search is On for America's Biggest Trees
The National Register, spon-
Oak," was toppled by a storm
Does your community have a
sored by The Davey Tree Ex-
last June. News of the Wye
huge maple or massive oak
perts, has 826 species eligible
Oaks death made national head-
tree?
for listing, 99 of which do not
lines, calling for nominations to
If so, American Forests wants
have a champ. American Forests replace the giant tree. Today, almost a year later, American is searching for the champions
2003, the deadline for nomina-
of species ranging from the fire- Forests is still searching for a berry hawthorn and velvet elder new National Champion white
tions to American Forests;
to the desert apricot and
2004/2005 National Register of
sweetbay magnolia. Six states--
Big Trees.
Delaware, Kansas, Massachu-
to know about it before July 1,
Taking part in the hunt for big trees is easy. Once you find a Cover Photo Courtesy of : American Forests
big tree and identify its species
oak.
Since 1940, American Forests setts, North Dakota, Oklahoma has kept the National Register and Wyoming--and the District of Big Trees--a listing of the of Columbia do not have any
largest-known trees in the
champion trees listed on the
United States. The Register is
and measure it. National Cham- Register.
available on the web at
pion trees are ranked based on
www.americanforests.org. Visit
a point system, calculated by
The General Sherman giant se-
the site to view Big Tree Trivia,
adding the trunk circumference
quoia in California remains the
which highlights facts such as
at 4 and a half feet (in inches),
nation’s largest tree, but per-
the most notable trees, and
the height (in feet), plus 1/4 of
haps no other species has a
states and regions with the
its average crown spread (in
more sought-after title than the most champs, or to download white oak. Maryland’s previous nomination forms.
feet).
Minnesota’s National Champion Trees: Pine, jack Pinus
Kittson
banksiana
Public
Lake Bronson, Steve Morgan, Rick 1979
(state of MN)
MN
Olson DNRForestry
NATIONAL Pine, red (also called Clearwater
Public
Lake Itasca,
Sidney Frissell,
Norway pine)
(state of MN)
MN
Stephen McCool
1967
University of MN
Pinus resinosa NATIONAL COCHAMP Cover Photo Courtesy of : Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web Site
Spruce, white Picea Koochiching
Public
glauca
(state of MN)
Littlefork, MN Richard Stapleton
NATIONAL CHAMPION
For more information on Minnesota’s Big Trees visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/trees_shrubs/bigtree/index.html
1974
Page 13
What’s That Smell? Bacterial Wetwood in Elm Trees: Nope that’s Not Dutch Elm Disease. By Eric Mader
April 22, 2003
Minneapolis, MN- Dana Wickstrum knew something was wrong with her tree last summer when it began to smell. “It was totally gross, like something died. And then it began leaking a weird liquid all over the trunk. It was really awful.” The 38 year-old single mother was particularly concerned after a neighbor suggested it was Dutch elm disease and that the tree would probably have to be removed. “We have a pretty small yard, and losing that one tree would mean the kids wouldn’t have any trees in the yard. And right away I was like, okay, how much is this gonna cost?” Fortunately for Dana, it isn’t Dutch elm disease and it won’t cost a thing. Bacterial wetwood is a smelly, oozy, and harmless tree infection occasionally mistaken for Dutch elm disease (DED). Wetwood or “slime flux” infections occur when bacteria enters the heartwood of a tree. These causal organisms like Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas soon begin reproducing while existing in a non-decaying equilibrium with the host plant. Although the bacteria can enter through even small wounds such as insect holes, improper pruning, or other man-made injuries also may spread infection. Some research suggests that root grafts or root injury may be another common way the disease is spread. As time goes on, the bacteria produce
White streaks on the
various byproducts including respiratory gases and liquid fatty acids. The gases (backed trunk: a telltale symptom of bacterial wetwood by internal pressures as high as 60 pounds per square inch!) force the liquefied fatty acids through cracks in the trunk where various airborne yeasts compound the problem by feeding on the slime. It is these secondary organisms which often create additional odors. If you think it sounds gross, you’re not alone. The result of this condition can be dead grass near the base of the trunk (result of elevated pH), and the ugly white streaking commonly seen on most elm trees in Minnesota. Although wetwood infections are unsightly, and occasionally stinky, new research suggests that the condition may actually benefit the tree by inhibiting the growth of decay-causing fungi within the trunk. Although wetwood conditions may exist in trees which are also infected with DED, the two conditions are not connected (wetwood is a bacterial infection and DED is a
Page 14
What’s That Smell? fungal infection), and the presence of one does not indicate the presence of the other. It is also important to note that the symptoms of the two conditions are very different. For example while wetwood conditions are associated with leaking fluid and foul odor, DED symptoms are usually expressed by leaf wilting and browning causing the entire canopy to die. DED symptoms can occur at any time during the growing season, and can spread rapidly. There are several other diseases common to elms including elm yellows and bacterial leaf scorch. These are all serious conditions characterized by wilting and browning leaves. By distinguishing between leaking fluid and leaf wilting, most elm problems can quickly be narrowed down. Any leaf wilt on American elm trees should be monitored closely, and referred to a diagnostic professional. Interestingly, both DED and bacterial wetwood diseases are often vectored by the elm bark beetle (both the native and European species). Although various means of controlling the elm bark beetle have been investigated, including pesticides like Talstar or Chlorpyrifos, there are no magic bullets. Although elm wetwood is relatively harmless, similar wetwood conditions exist in many other species and occasionally present management problems for the timber industry by degrading the quality of lumber. The condition is most common
The elm bark beetles: vector both bacterial wetwood and dutch elm disease
among elms and poplars however. Wetwood symptoms in other species should be a cause for concern. Given the ubiquity of bacterial wetwood it is unlikely that any special measures will protect trees from infection. However, it is important to realize that infected trees are stressed and care should be taken to reduce additional stress to the tree. This includes proper pruning, maintaining nutrient and water levels, and avoiding physical damage such as banging into the side of the tree with your lawn mower. Frequent watering, especially during dry conditions is essential to maintaining the health of infected trees, and may reduce the flow of slime and secondary insect, or disease damage. This point can’t be stressed enough—adequate watering is crucial to tree health. While expensive antibiotic injection treatments for controlling wetwood infections do exist (one common brand is Mycoject), the most offensive symptom—the pungent slime can often be managed simply by spraying the trunk with a garden hose when it becomes problematic. In the past, folk remedies consisting of household cleaners applied to the bark have been suggested, however the overall effects of such cleaners applied to the tree are likely to be negative and are not recommended. Similarly, until recently many local
What’s That Smell?
Page 15
extension services recommended boring a hole into the base of the trunk and inserting a drain pipe. Such an action is likely to have minimal effect, and may actually weaken trunk structure as well as expose the tree to potential decay. It is also worth noting that in addition to the elm bark beetle, several other insects often exist on infected trees. Most notably these include June beetles and clearwing borers— which while they resemble wasps, are actually moths. The larvae of these borers are usually not problematic in small numbers although they do feed on the infected wood and can help accelerate tree decay and death when large infestations occur. Therefore, as stated earlier it is important to monitor wetwood infected elms for stress symptoms such as rapid wilt or crown dieback—conditions which might indicate additional problems. That said, a well maintained American elm with bacterial wetwood should present no problems for the homeowner who’s willing to give these great trees the little bit of extra care they might need. To Dana Wickstrum and everyone fortunate enough to have an American elm in their yard, that’s good news. Because after losing so many of our urban elms already to DED, it’s nice to know that some of our trees still have many years ahead of them. For More Information on Bacterial Wetwood 1.
2.
Partridge, J.E. University of Nebraska, Dept. of Plant Pathology Website. 1998. http://
Adult clearwing borers
plantpath.unl.edu/peartree/homer/disease.skp/hort/Trees/BacWetWood.html
resemble wasps, but
Olson, Mary W. Slime Flux or Wetwood. 1998. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
are actually moths.
Factsheet AZ1031. 3.
Rasmussen-Dykes, C., and Jacobi, W.R. Diseases:Bacterial Wetwood. 1995. Colorado State University. 2.910.
4.
Ip. D.W. Dutch Elm Disease. 1992. Canadian Forest Service Website. http://nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/ publications/leaflets/ded_e.html
5.
Haugen, Linda. How to Identify and Manage Dutch Elm Disease. 1998. USDA Forest Service. NA-PR07-98
Contact Phone Numbers Program Contacts:
Gary Johnson – 612-625-3765 or grjonson@.umn.edu Dave Hanson – 612-624-1226 or dlhanson@umn.edu Mailing Address: 115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Ave. North, St. Paul, MN 55108
TCAAG Members:
Paula Denman, Chair – 612-338-1871, pjdenman@mn.rr.com Bob Condon – 952-890-1228, bobnbunny@juno.com Laurie Drolson – 651-464-9829, ldrolson@yahoo.com Bruce Granos – 952-423-5211, bjgbjgbjg@hotmail.com Mimi Hottinger – 507-388-4838, mimih@mctcnet.net Barb Kirkpatrick – 651-490-9816, sambucus@attbi.com
County Contacts:
Anoka County (Patrick Weicherding) – 763-755-1280 or weich002@umn.edu Blue Earth – (507)389-8325 Carver County (Jackie Smith) - (952) 442-4496 or smith515@umn.edu Dakota County (Barb Stendahl) – 952-463-8002 or stend004@umn.edu Hennepin County (Bob Mugaas) – 612-374-8400 Olmstead County (Doug Courneya) – 507-285-8250 or courneya@umn.edu Ramsey County – (Doug Foulk) – 651-777-8156 Scott County (Jackie Smith) - (952) 492-5410 or smith515@umn.edu St. Louis County (Bob Olen) – 218-726-7512
Additional Reference Contacts:
Debby Newman (Info-U) – 612-624-3263 Don Mueller, DNR Forestry – 651-772-6148 or don.mueller@dnr.state.mn.us Great River Greening – 651-665-9500 Ken Holman, DNR Forestry – 651-296-9110 or ken.holman@dnr.state.mn.us Rich Hauer, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (certified tree inspector workshop coordinator) 651-296-0592 or rich.hauer@state.mn.us Paul Walvatne MNDOT – 651-284-3793 or Paul.Walvatne@dot.state.mn.us Tree Trust – 651-644-5800
How many of the TCA “alpha” members have been counting the years? This is the tenth anniversary of the Minnesota TCA program! Congratulations to all of you on a successful venture