RNeighbors - More About Trees

Rake for the Sake of our Lakes and Streams

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:17:29 -0500

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

PLEASE KEEP YOUR LEAVES OUT OF THE STREET

Autumn’s falling leaves are not welcomed by their aquatic neighbors. If they fall or are raked onto the street, storm sewers will carry them to our lakes and streams. When leaves decompose in water, the nutrient phosphorus is released, promoting the growth of unwanted algae. Decomposition also steals oxygen from the water, impacting animal life.

Discovery of forest pest triggers state, federal response

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:14:46 -0500

The emerald ash borer could be devastating to Missouri trees.

WAPPAPELLO LAKE-State and federal officials are working overtime to determine the extent of an emerald ash borer infestation at Wappapello Lake and to develop a strategy for containing the problem.

The infestation came to light July 23 when U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists discovered seven suspicious beetles on traps at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Greenville Recreation Area in Wayne County. Officials with the USDA confirmed the identity of the insects Friday.

Collin Wamsley, state entomologist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, said his agency and the Missouri departments of Conservation and Natural Resources are prepared to deal with the infestation. Before proceeding, however, both state and federal agencies need to determine its extent.

Don't treat ash trees despite the presence of EAB in Wisconsin

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:12:13 -0500

Source: Jeffrey Hahn, entomologist, U of M Extension
Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extenison, (612) 625-0237

Don't treat ash trees despite the presence of EAB in Wisconsin
ST. PAUL, Minn. (8/25/2008)

With the recent news that emerald ash borer was discovered next door in Wisconsin, there is a greater sense of urgency to take some kind of action to protect Minnesota's ash trees. A natural reaction to this potential threat is to have insecticide treatments applied to your ash trees now before it's "too late." But is that really the best thing to do?

"The answer is an emphatic no!" says Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension entomologist. "Emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Minnesota, so chemically treating trees to protect them makes little sense."

Emerald ash borer found in Ozaukee County

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:51:54 -0500

The below information was posted by the Rochester City Forester, Jacob Ryg. For additional information call 507-328-2515 or email Jacob Ryg.

Emerald ash borer found in Ozaukee County
MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2008, 1:56 p.m.
By Lee Bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Newburg - Emerald ash borer, the destructive green metallic beetle that has killed tens of millions of trees since 2002 in the eastern United States, has been discovered on a private woodlot near the village of Newburg in Ozaukee County, officials said this afternoon.

Vegetation May Cut Crime in the Inner City

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:16:14 -0500

In a 2001 study in one Chicago public housing development, there were dramatically fewer occurrences of crime against both people and property in apartment buildings surrounded by trees and greenery than in nearby identical apartments that were surrounded by barren land. In fact, compared with buildings that had little or no vegetation, buildings with high levels of greenery had 48 percent fewer property crimes and 56 percent fewer violent crimes. Even modest amounts of greenery were associated with lower crime rates. The greener the surroundings, the fewer the number of crimes that occurred.

Where Trees are Planted, Communities Grow

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:39:14 -0500

Aaron led this group of volunteers in the Spring 2008 Northern Addition neighborhood community tree planting.

Residential common areas with trees and other greenery help to build strong neighborhoods. In a study conducted at a Chicago public housing development, residents of buildings with more trees and grass reported that they knew their neighbors better, socialized with them more often, had stronger feelings of community, and felt safer and better adjusted than did residents of more barren, but otherwise identical, buildings.

Local Walnut Tree Scam

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:44:45 -0600

The below information was writen by the Rochester City Forester, Jacob Ryg. For additional information call 507-328-2515 or email Jacob Ryg.

A citizen has brought this flyer to my attention and I thought I’d share some information with you.

Christmas Trees Delivered to Your Front Door

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:57:45 -0600

The article below was written by Jay Maier, owner of Maier Forest and Tree, an RNeighborWoods Partner.

The Christmas season is upon us. Think about the scenes of Christmas where you and your family make memories.

The fresh fallen snow on evergreen boughs.

Trees and Your Environment

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:51:09 -0600

The below information was originally published on the Clean Air Gardening website.

We're proud of the thousands of trees we have been responsible for planning through donations to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Here's a look at why we think that trees are important at Clean Air Gardening, and why we'll continue planting more of them.

Planting trees in your neighborhood really is one of the best things you can do for the local environment and for the planet. It’s no secret that trees help the environment, but you may be surprised by all the benefits that planting trees can provide. Besides producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air, trees have many other social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Rochester Rowing Club Tackles Silver Lake in a New Way

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:06:19 -0600

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Friday, November 10, 2007

Members of the Rochester Rowing Club have agreed to take on another challenge. While sweat is still a key ingredient, this task will need grabbers instead of oars.

Tree Roots and Sidewalks - Alternatives to Root Pruning

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:28:00 -0500

The below information was writen by the Rochester Forestry Division. For additional information call 507-328-2515 or email Jacob Ryg, the Rochester City Forester.

Root Barriers

Three Types

Deflectors– redirect root growth
Inhibitors– contain chemical compounds which prevent root development
Traps– root penetrates through fiber and is not allowed to grow radially

Top edge must be at least 1 inch above soil level to prevent roots from growing over top edge.

If plastic barriers are used they should be:

High density polyethylene
UV resistant– prevents deterioration of above ground portion
Thermal durability– doesn’t get brittle during colder months of the year
Connections should not be easily twisted or pulled apart

*Effectiveness is species dependent

The Mayowood Mansion Oak: A Case Study in Saving an Old Tree

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:48:08 -0500

The former home of Drs. Charles H. and Charles W. Mayo. Photo compliments of the History Center of Olmsted County.

The article below was written by Jay Maier, owner of Maier Forest and Tree, an RNeighborWoods Partner.

Rake for the Sake of our Lakes and Streams

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:54:55 -0500

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Friday, September 28, 2007

No matter how pretty, autumn’s falling leaves are not welcomed by their aquatic neighbors. If they fall or are raked onto the street, they will get washed into storm sewers and carried into our lakes and streams. As they decompose, phosphorus is released (the nutrient that turns our lakes and rivers green with algae) and oxygen is removed from the water.

Silver Lake Buffer Project Underway

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:05:34 -0500

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Monday, June 11, 2007

In three years, the new look of the native plants will be something like this.
Photograph courtesy of the Kestrel Design Group.

Park users that enjoy the trail around Silver Lake may start noticing some unexpected activities this week. Prairie Restorations, Inc. (PRI) has started the construction of the shoreline buffer of native vegetation that, once growing, will help reduce water pollution entering Silver Lake. The plants, shrubs, and trees will act like a filter to clean storm water that flows overland, into the lake.

MDA urges Minnesotans to join the fight against emerald ash borer

Mon, 21 May 2007 11:12:40 -0500

Information submitted by Mark Abrahamson, MN Department of Agriculture - Invasive Species Coordinator.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 18, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Schommer, Communications Director, 651-201-6629

MDA urges Minnesotans to join the fight against emerald ash borer Buy it where you burn it campaign designed to prevent spread of pests hiding in firewood.