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Trees
Our trees are one of our most valuable assets. They cool us on
hot summer days, slow down the winter winds, help keep our air
clean, provide us with lots of oxygen, and help to slow down water
runoff from rainfalls.
Most of us respond to the presence of trees in the Campmeeting
beyond simply observing their beauty. In this grove, we feel serene,
peaceful, restful and tranquil.
Leaf Collection service is provided by the Superintendent
of Grounds.
- Rake leaves into piles by the side of the street
- Separate sticks and pine cones from leaves
For proper management of our trees, as required
by our Rules & Regulations,
it is important that you contact the Superintendent of Grounds
or the Office whenever
you wish to plant, trim, or cut down a tree.
If the tree is under electric power lines, on
your property, and requires trimming, the Superintendent may direct
you to the electric company, Met-Ed.
Here is a link to a handy Form
to Request Work on Trees under Power Lines
Our Memorial Tree Program has
resulted in the planting of over a hundred trees during the past
few years. Your donations of $100 goes toward the purchase and
planting of an appropriate tree, and a plaque at its foot with
your dedication, as space becomes available in the grove that is
conducive for new growth. Contact the
office or the Superintendent of Grounds for details.
Wooded Trails abound around us.
Gov Dick Trails to the South and East of us
in Clarence
Schock Memorial Park, offer a network of intersecting,
winding, hilly paths. At the top of the hill is the Tower.
The famous Horseshoe Trail goes through here.
 •
To explore these trails, get a map from mtgretna.com,
walk out Kephart Ave through the gate into the Heights and...
• Follow First Ave to just after the bend at the end, on unpaved Oak Ave,
where a short trail on your left will lead you to Trail #5.
• Or turn right from First Ave onto Maple Ave, and you'll find the spring
at Gov Dick and a trail that leads straight up to the Pinch Rd parking area,
and Trails #5 and #2.
•• Most of these trails have steep inclines, and offer an added attraction
to avid sports cyclists.
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail provides an easier
walk or a bike ride on this old, well maintained tree lined railroad
bed, replete with restful seating benches.
• To explore this trail, get a map from mtgretna.com,
follow Timber Rd briefly to the big bend, then bear right onto
the narrow paved road that leads to the trail.
•• Slopes are gentle, and hardly noticeable.
You can connect between the trails at Old Rt 72, or by crossing the
road from the Rt 117 Parking Area, and going West a hundred feet
to a trail that leads to the Leb Valley along around mile 7.5.
Our Trees
Our trees are quite hardy, however, as with all trees, they are susceptible
to damage and disease, so anything we do to keep
them healthy and to keep them from damage will help us to enjoy
our grove for many generations to come.
The information
below, from outside sources, is being provided to help increase our
knowledge and awareness of our trees.
Tree Trunk Health
Outer Bark - Protects the tree from
diseases and pathogens.
Phloem - Just inside the bark,
this is where nutrients produced by the leaves thorough
photosynthesis flow to the rest of the tree.
 Cambium -
Growth takes place here, each year
adding a layer to the sapwood, and growth to the bark as
the tree expands in girth.
Xylem - Water
and other nutrients from the roots flow through these layers,
also called sapwood, which eventually become heartwood.
Heartwood - Having
become naturally infiltrated with gums and resins, these old
layers of sapwood are no longer able to transport nutrients,
but make up the bulk of the tree.
Help protect the bark by removing strings of
lights, other decorations, vines, or attachments that might
create openings in the bark through which disease and pathogens
can enter. Eventually, things attached to trees become embedded
in the bark and cut off some of its crucial food supply.
Help protect the base of the tree by mulching around it, and by
installing tree pit guards, bollards, or other obstacles to keep
your tree from being damaged by car doors, bicycles, dogs, etc.
Mulch
Mulch provides a better way for the roots
to get their oxygen from the air, and to better capture rainwater
runoff from our streets and walkways.
Ongoing: Mulch from 2" away from the
tree trunk, to as far as the outer drip line or further. Mulch
no more than 3" to 4" deep. Use wood chips or licorice
root mulch.
Annually: Re-mulch to replace old mulch that has turned to
dirt. Set aside the mulch and gently loosen the top 3" of
soil, to allow more water and oxygen to penetrate. This is where
most of the tree's root hairs are and how the tree absorbs water
and nutrients. Add new mulch as needed.
What not to do
Don’t pile up mulch (or
dirt) against the trunk. Keep the trunk root flare exposed, so
as to prevent moisture and insects from accumulating around the
bark. Dyed red mulch is not recommended.
Don’t pile or lay anything on the dirt that will compact/harden
it.
Don’t place trash bags or anything that may leak potentially
toxic substances into the soil and onto the roots.
Don’t build a sealed raised box around your tree. This
prevents the tree from receiving important rainwater runoff
and encourages a secondary weaker root system.
Don't add soil under the tree's canopy. Keeping it at the original
level will maintain the roots at the proper distance from the surface
for better water and oxygen absorption, and will keep the base
of the trunk from being attacked by boring insects.
Pets, Salt, Fertilizer, Flowers
Pet
feces and urine are toxic to tree roots.
For snow melting on walkways and road surface near the tree
pit, use environmentally friendly alternatives to salts, like clean
kitty litter or sand.
As a rule of thumb, do not fertilize your tree. Fertilizer is not
a food; it is more like a prescription drug. It’s far better
to give your tree systemic care and leave fertilizing to the
experts for when the tree is sick.
It’s best not to plant flowers at the base of a tree during
its first year of growth. Most perennials may not be appropriate
for your tree pit area. Their roots will grow to compete with the
tree for water and other nutrients. It's ok to later plant annuals
as long as you plant on the original unaugmented level of dirt.
New Tree Care
To encourage root expansion, water
slowly and deeply around the root area.
How often:
- During the first two years, water once a week.
- During drought twice a week.
- From spring until the first frost.
How much:
- About 15 gallons per watering.
With a hose:
- Let it drip at the lowest setting for an hour, moving the nozzle
from time to time so that soaking occurs all around the tree.
-
Test
the setting by seeing how long it might take to fill three 5-gallon
buckets.
With a 5-gallon bucket:
- Poke a few small nail holes at the bottom of a clean 5-gallon
bucket.
-
Place
over area along the outer edges of the roots, fill with water,
and let drain.
-
Repeat on other sides of tree.
Even if it rains:
- An inch of rainfall may amount to as little as 1 gallon, so
you're still advised to water your tree.
The first two summers are critical for a newly planted tree.
After the first year, any supporting stakes should be removed.
Pruning
Proper pruning makes for a healthier trunk and branches, and
keeps trees safe near our houses and where we walk.
Trees that have just been planted should only be pruned for
damaged, dead, or dangerously positioned branches. After the
third year, pruning should be limited to a maximum of one-third
of the branches.
Pruing by "topping" is unhealthy for the tree. The massive loss
of foliage temporarily starves the tree and keeps essential nutrients
from reaching the roots. It generates many large wounds that
take longer to heal, and allow diseases and insects to enter.
It generates a lot of small branches, which grow quickly and
create the need for more frequent pruning. Besides, a topped
tree really looks ugly for a couple years, and its life is shortened
substantially by the process. For these and other
reasons, topping a tree is not recommended.
Get in the habit of keeping an eye up for dead and damaged branches
that will need pruning.
Because our grove consists of mostly older, large trees, pruning
should be left to expert arborists.
It is important that you consult with the Office or
the Superintendent of Grounds before having any actual work done.
Caring For Your Trees
Trees are a
lot like people. They need to maintain good health
and avoid stress. Become conscious of your trees
and aware of their needs. Caring for your trees is
similar to caring for your own body. The healthier
your immune system is, the stronger you are to fight
off infection. Trees function in the same way. The
healthier the tree is, the more likely it will be
to fight off pests and disease.
To help keep your trees healthy, recognize changes in leaf
size and color. Many times these changes are symptoms of
a developing problem. Look up into your trees for dead
limbs. Dead limbs are dangerous and need to be removed.
Examine the trunk and large limbs for signs of cavities.
Cavities are evidence of structural weaknesses that may
result in hazardous situations. Check the base of the tree
for mushrooms that may indicate root problems. Inspect
the foliage for possible insects or diseases. Observe the
structure of the tree. Tight crotches are structurally
weak and may require special attention. Roots are the support
system of the tree. Root zones must be protected.
It is also important to understand the different insects
that can pose potential threats to your trees. The most
common pests include boring, chewing, and sucking insects
that cause damage by attacking the trunk, stems, bark and
roots of trees; chewing insects that cause damage by chewing
and feeding on the leaves; and sucking insects that cause
damage by sucking sap from leaves and twigs.
Even with precautionary maintenance, sometimes trees still
cannot guard themselves against destructive pests and diseases.
One of the most important management techniques you can
use is to be proactive in your total forest health care
to help prevent damage or disease before it strikes.
By caring for all parts of the trees from the roots to
the branches you are providing them with the best defense
mechanism against harmful insects.
Northeastern Ohio Forestry Association Newsletter
Nov 2004 |
PATrees.org
- All About Trees of Pennsylvania
TreeCareIndustry.org
- About Tree Care in General
Arbor
Day Foundation - Tree Identification Guide
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