A TREE SYMPOSIUM
On February 10th, five representatives from Tiffin, including members from the Tiffin Shade Tree and Beautification Commission and other city personnel attended an all day conference in Dayton. Three hundred interested people from all over Ohio had come to see and hear “A Cut Above – On Tour: A Tree Pruning and Selection Symposium.
Most of the morning and early afternoon presentations were about square pegs in almost square holes: matching the tree with the site and cost-effective pruning with an on stage demonstration of proper pruning techniques. An afternoon walking tour was conducted on the University of Dayton Campus with discussions and identifications of their campus plantings. A second walking tour was at the Old River Park where tree hazards and pruning were discussed.
Concerning pruning, the following recommendations were made:
A major point of the symposium was that trees like all living things need energy. A tree’s energy comes from the sun, captured by the leaves, and that energy is transferred to all parts of the plant, including the roots. Energy is required to wall off and repair wounds. With fewer leaves, eventually the roots will die, the weakened tree will be unable to repair wounds which will provide entrances for wood rotting fungi and bacteria. Trees did very well for hundreds of millions of years without human intervention.
In Tiffin topping and excessive pruning is still too common. These trees will die a slow premature death, probably not surviving more than l5 or 20 years. They will look unsightly, lower the value of the property , hasten storm damage and provide business for the tree removal people.
The policy of the Ohio Power Company is to remove all limbs above the power lines, and those that have any possibility of falling into the lines. These trees are doomed and will need to be replaced with species that will be 20 feet or less tall when mature. Two large white ash trees, very healthy and sound with absolutely no reason to be “pruned” were topped about 16 years ago. One was removed last year and the other will probably go this year. These trees were as old or older than Heidelberg College.
Selecting a tree to fit the space is of primary importance. Trees that grow to a maximum of 30 feet tall may be planted l5 feet away from utility lines, and any size may be planted 25 feet or beyond. Large trees that mature above 40 feet should be planted 20 feet or more away from a house. Plant trees at least 15 feet away from sewer or gas lines.
More than 800 trees were planted by the city of Tiffin in the last three years. Another 400 are scheduled for l999. Most of the city streets have been surveyed for planting sites. These l200 trees should almost complete the needs in the original survey. More attention now can focus on landscaping, parks, replacements and beautification.
William Fountain, Extension Horticulture Specialist has listed l0 ways to make a tree love you.
-- Percy