2003_Volume10_Issue2

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