4th Quarter, 2013 - In This Issue:

2013 Urban & Community Forestry Grantee Showcase. Photo Credit: Alix Rogstad, AZSF

National Champion Chihuahua Pine Location: White Mountains  Circumference: 122 Inches Height: 90 Feet Crown Spread: 34 Feet

The Chihuahua pine is an evergreen conifer, native to North America. Its natural range is as far South as Oaxaca, Mexico up to Southeast Arizona. Commonly mistaken as a Ponderosa pine, the Chihuahua pine has very dark bark, cones that are typically 1.5 - 2.5 inches long, and needles that are 2.5 - 4.5 inches long.

Providing mulch around the base of your tree will not only enhance the appearance of the landscape around your home, but will improve soil conditions and maintain moisture.

Properly applying much will also help with reducing the establishment of weeds and in turn limit the risk of weed whacker and lawn mower damage.

However, mulch MUST be applied properly. Apply no more than 2-4 inches of mulch out to the trees drip line and make sure the mulch is pulled back several inches away from the trunk. 

Proper and improper ways to apply mulch. Artwork: John C. Richardson

For more information on proper mulching techniques, view the Trees are Good Guide on Proper Mulching. 

Forest and Woodland Insects and Diseases Presentation in Portal, AZ.

Pinyon Needle Scale Presentation in Payson, AZ

Photo Credit: Bob Celaya

Happy Autumn!

We passed the autumnal equinox in late September, which means the days will begin to get shorter and the temperatures will slowly cool. Living in Arizona, this also means that we will soon be seeing an influx of winter visitors to our state. I encourage you to take every opportunity to show them the unique and beautiful trees found here.

 

In celebration of TREES, we proudly unveiled the new Arizona's Magnificent Trees program at the Arizona Community Tree Council's (ACTC) 20^th Anniversary Conference held in Prescott on Friday, 13 September. Along with program partners - ACTC and the Arizona Native Plant Society - we honor trees in a very big way! Over the coming months, we encourage you to submit nominations for your favorite trees in each of the recognition categories: Champion, Heritage and Witness. Please visit our website to explore the program, obtain nomination forms, and to see pictures of the currently recognized trees.

 

Last but not least, our program has seen a few changes over the summer. First, Kyle McCatty accepted an excellent opportunity with the Colorado Forest Service in July. Although we miss his enthusiasm for the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) and Forest Health programs, we wish him success in his new adventures. Second, we welcomed a new member to our team in September: Wolfgang Grunberg. Wolfgang will take on the responsibilities associated with our Integrated Urban Forest Resource Inventory (Urban FRI) project, which will initially work with pilot communities across the state to implement and capture urban forest inventories.

 

As always, you may contact us at any time if you have questions regarding our on-going programs or projects.

 

Please enjoy reading through our latest newsletter; share it with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors; and - above all else - enjoy the coming leaf changes and harvest activities that come with this season.

 

--Alix

The newly branded logo of Arizona's Magnificent Trees. Thanks to NSB/Keane for the Magnificent branding!

From a mesquite that was used to shackle lawbreakers in the 1890's to a recently discovered Chihuahua pine that is now recognized as the largest in the country, Arizona surely does have MAGNIFICENT trees!

 

A wonderful partnership with the Arizona Community Tree Council, and The Native Plant Society has revamped three tree recognition programs and formed Arizona's Magnificent Trees. This program aims to increase community awareness and get the people of Arizona more involved with trees.

The Champion Tree Program - Provides recognition to trees that are determined to be the largest of their species in the state and in many cases across the nation. Their height, circumference and spread each contribute to their magnificence as they represent the great state of Arizona and the communities in which they reside in a BIG way!

The Heritage Tree Program - Provides recognition to trees that hold proven cultural or historical significance. Trees in this category may have been planted in memory of a person or event; be a gift to the community from a sister community around the world; or be cherished community tree where significant events occur.

The Witness Tree Program - Provides recognition to trees that have been verified to be as old as the State of Arizona, February 14, 1912. Trees in this category help create a "sense of place" for local residents and they are a connection from the present to the past.

Get involved! We are actively looking for trees that fit the criteria of our programs and would love to recognize more MAGNIFICENT trees!

 

Explore your backyard, neighborhood, and local forests and submit a nomination form of your favorite. 

This is the second in a series of urban tree utilization articles.

Stickered lumber air-drying at AP Sawmill in Flagstaff. Photo Credit: Patrick Rappold

Inside roundwood lattice structure of the gazebo at the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. Photo Credit: Patrick Rappold

Patrick Rappold is the Utilization and Marketing Specialist at the Arizona State Forestry - Flagstaff District Office. He can be reached at 928-774-1425.

Adult Emerald Ash Borer. Photo Credit: forestryimages.org

For the first time, the destructive Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in Boulder, Colorado. This detection was confirmed by the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory and is now the western-most occurrence in the United States. 

 

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect with the ability to kill stressed and healthy ash trees within 2-3 years after they have become infested. The larval stage of this insect feeds in the phloem just below the bark. The phloem, which provides water and nutrient transport throughout the tree becomes damaged, resulting in tree health decline and eventually death. 

EAB Exit Hole.  Photo Credit: forestryimages.org

The adult EAB is roughly 3/8- 5/8 inch long, has metallic green wing covers and can be easily misidentified with other beetles. After it emerges from the bark, it leaves behind easily distinguishable D-shaped exit holes.

 

The EAB is responsible for the death of millions of ash trees throughout 21 states since its initial discovery in 2002. Being aware of its infestation signs and reducing the transportation of firewood can help prevent the spread of this insect. 

EAB Galleries. Photo Credit: Christopher Asaro, forestryimages.org

View the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Media Release on EAB for info on their recent detection and infestation signs.

 

For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer please visit emeraldashborer.info or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

 

 

John C. Richardson is an ISA Certified Arborist and the Editor of Urban Tree Talk. He is currently a Forest Program Specialist at the Arizona State Forestry - State Forester's Office in Phoenix, AZ. He can be reached at 602-771-1420.