| An Oregon Homeowner's Guide to Tree Care |
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| Tree Care Program |
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By the Oregon Department of Forestry in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service
Over 60% of all Oregonians live in municipalities. As Oregon's population grows, this number will increase. Many Oregon communities have recognized their urban forest as a valuable asset which requires careful management. A comprehensive tree care program and the assistance of the Oregon Department of Forestry can make that vision a reality in your community.
Contact: Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310
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| OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION |
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The National Arbor Day Foundation publishes a series of Tree City USA Bulletins on a variety of tree care topics, including: Don't Top Trees, How to Hire an Arborist, Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place, How to Prune Young Trees, and many more. To join, write NADF, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410
USDA policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping condition. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250
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| PROPER TREE CARE |
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Proper tree care is a mystery to some. Plant a tree and nature will take care of the rest, right? That may be true in some rural forests, but in your yard and in your community, trees need a special kind of care. Trees need to be protected from...People!
Trees in our neighborhood contribute to the quality of our lives, and make our communities more livable. Urban trees clean our air, cool and shade our homes, and increase the value and attractiveness of our community.
If your trees had the opportunity, would they move to your neighbor's yard? If so, here are some tips you need to know about how to make your own yard safe for trees. Learning about proper tree care can prevent you from becoming your tree's worst enemy.
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| THE TRUTH ABOUT TREES |
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Debunking the Myths
- Most trees do not have a taproot
- Tree wound dressing is unnecessary
- Trees don´t need to be topped
- Cutting branches flush with the trunk will hurt the tree
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| PLEASE DON'T TOP YOUR TREES |
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Topping is the senseless practice of indiscriminately removing a majority of a tree's branches. Topping violates most commonly accepted methods of proper pruning. Topping is an assault on the health and natural beauty of your trees.
- Topping will not make trees safe, it actually creates hazardous trees.
- Topping makes a tree more susceptible to storm damage.
- Topping makes a tree more prone to insect and disease problems.
- Topping is (pick one) abuse, vandalism, dangerous, expensive, mutilation, ugly.
- Topping is a waste of money.
- Don't let this happen to your tree!
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| HOW TO KILL TREES |
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We have met the enemy and he is us!" --Pogo
- Plant a new tree improperly, without giving thought to what the tree will look like or how big it will get in 20 years.
- Walk away without a care.
- Bash it with the lawnmower; whack it with the weedeater.
- Compact the soil, then trench right through the root to put in a new cable, sprinkler, etc.
- Prune it improperly, flush cut it, keep it small and neat and looking like a ball on a stick.
- Top that tree, turn a 60 foot tall tree into a 16 foot pole with hatracks and a little green on it in less than a day.
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| HOW TO SAVE TREES |
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(6 easy ways to have the best looking trees in your neighborhood)
- Plant the right tree in the right place. For example, Dogwoods don´t belong in full sun, Douglas-fir shouldn´t be planted under powerlines.
- Water and mulch newly planted trees. Mulch with a ring of woodchips extending 2 feet out from the base of the tree.
- Protect trees from mowers, weed-eaters, and other equipment. Avoid growing grass right up to the base of the tree.
- The soil should be firm around the trunk, but don´t pack the soil tightly when planting. Mulch around the tree to avoid soil compaction and root suffocation. Leave roots alone.
- Prune according to accepted methods. Hire an Arborist when the job is too big.
- If you think a tree needs to be topped, you might be better off cutting the tree down and planting a smaller variety.
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| PRUNING |
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PRUNE CORRECTLY
Correct pruning is the best thing you can do for your tree. Here are the guidelines:
NATURAL TARGET PRUNING
- Locate the branch bark ridge (BBR).
- Find target A - outside BBR.
- Find target B - where branch meets collar.
- If B cannot be found, drop an imaginary line at AX. Angle XAC equals XAB.
- Stub cut the branch
- Make final cut at line AB (with powersaws make final cut on upstroke).
DO NOT:
- make flush cuts behind the BBR
- leave living or dead stubs
- injure or remove the branch collar
- paint cuts
The best time to prune living branches is late in the dormant season or very early in spring before leaves form. Dead and dying branches can be pruned anytime. Use sharp tools! Make clean cuts. Be careful with all tools. Safety first!
- Hire someone who is bonded, licensed and insured. In Oregon, Tree Service companies must register with the state, but that is no guarantee of quality.
- Ask for references and get more than one bid. Take your time and select a company you know is reputable.
- Ask for a Certified Arborist, someone who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture's Certification Exam.
- Beware of door-knockers. Most companies have business cards, uniforms, truck signs, etc..
- A good arborist rarely recommends topping, and should try to talk you out of it if you request to have a tree topped. Avoid tree toppers at all cost!
- When pruning trees climbers should avoid using spurs if at all possible.
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| OTHER LINKS |
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Source: " HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE FOR BEAUTIFUL, SAFE, AND HEALTHY TREES", U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
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