University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources Minnesota Tree Care Advocate People helping trees help communities. Minnesota Citizen Pruner Training MINNEAPOLIS Ashley Reichard, Volunteer Programs Coordinator - 2017
OCTOBER 11 TH SCHEDULE Program Overview & Introductions Pre-Training Survey Working with the Public & Safety Managing Brush & Tools of the Trade Tree Identification & Pruning Restrictions Types of Removals Pruning Fundamentals Poor Pruning & Compartmentalization Pruning in Minneapolis Training Day 2 Content Post-Training Competency Assessment
Minnesota Citizen Pruner PROGRAM OVERVIEW
WHO S WHO UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Gary Johnson - directs and administers the program; oversees development and delivery of education and program operations. Contact: johns054@umn.edu Ashley Reichard - UCF Volunteer Programs Coordinator organizes and relays program information to volunteers. Contact: info@mntca.org Calli Cloutier City of Minneapolis Staff: Seasonal staff (May-November) to assist with events Contact: CCloutier@minneapolisparks.org
COMMUNICATIONS Websites: www.mntca.umn.edu E-mail Contact: citizenpruner@mntca.org or info@mntca.org
MINNESOTA TREE CARE ADVOCATE Minnesota Tree Care Advocate is an organization of volunteers throughout the state all dedicated to the benefits and health of community forests and helping the public realize those benefits. www.mntca.umn.edu It includes three community forestry programs: Tree Care Advisor (1993) Citizen Pruner (2013) Tree Steward (2016) Tree Care Advocates are people helping trees help communities.
IMPORTANCE OF MINNESOTA CITIZEN PRUNER Volunteers manage small branches near the ground while tree care professionals can focus on larger branches higher in the tree canopies A.K.A. Budget Cuts Vital for clearing sight lines, blocked sidewalks, health of the tree in the future
MINNESOTA CITIZEN PRUNER Pilot program began in 2013 in Rochester, MN Now in 15 communities throughout the state. To learn more, visit: http://www.mntca.umn.edu/citizen-pruner Connection with the University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources and Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
CITIZEN PRUNERS CREED To uphold volunteerism as a way to meet the urban forest needs of Minnesota To represent the program with dignity and respect by being a positive spokesperson for the program and the city To be courteous, civil, and respectful. To promote tree care best practices.
CERTIFICATION & RECERTIFICATION Certification: Open book competency assessment which you will pass by answering correctly 75% of questions Good for 3 years if completing required hours each year Recertification: 10 volunteer hours or 3 city hosted events each calendar year (submitted hours online to MNTCA) Pass renewal competency assessment every 3 years You will be contacted by Program Coordinator Digital or physical access to the assessment
Minnesota Citizen Pruner WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC & SAFETY
WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC People will be interested in what you are doing Show them your Citizen Pruner ID Explain that you passed a Competency Assessment and that you are a volunteer for the city of Minneapolis If you receive any negative response to your pruning or planting, cease immediately and inform your city contact
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC The public will see you as a source of knowledge. They may ask you to look at their private tree. Refer them to the Tree Owners Manual or recommend consulting a Certified Arborist. They may have a question about their boulevard tree. Connect them with their city contact. They may ask you when their sidewalk will be replaced or another city question. I m a volunteer. I m not employed by the city.
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE Typically 10-15 feet from curb Park trees Public property grounds If ever unsure contact city representative
SAFETY Don t prune trees that are within 10 feet of utility lines Keep both feet on the ground Be aware of your surroundings this includes where the branch you are pruning will fall and where you and others are in relation to that branch Follow the dress code
Minnesota Citizen Pruner MANAGING BRUSH & TOOLS OF THE TRADE
MANAGING BRUSH Manage brush safely for citizens Keep it cleared from the street and sidewalk Place brush a safe distance away from fire hydrants and intersections.
MANAGING BRUSH (CON T.) Managing brush for your city Make as few piles as possible so that pickup is easy Place all pruned ends on the same side and if possible, face the street If brush it to large to fit with pruned ends facing the street, pile the brush parallel with the street.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Bypass Pruners Curved Blades 1-inch Cutting Capacity Handsaws 2-inch Cutting Capacity Close all tools when you are not using them for your safety and others safety.
TOOL CLEANING PROCEDURE Clean off all debris and dirt with soap and water Disinfect with rubbing alcohol Spray blade with penetrating oil or water-displacing spray to prevent rusting
Minnesota Citizen Pruner TREE IDENTIFICATION & PRUNING RESTRICTIONS
RESTRICTIONS? Correctly identifying the type of tree about to be pruned is the first crucial step in pruning trees. Different species of trees are susceptible to diseases at different times of year. Pruning trees at the wrong time can lead to infection.
AMERICAN BASSWOOD
BASSWOODS WHY? Love to sucker!
OAKS
OAKS
OAKS
OAKS
OAKS WHY? Safe to prune typically between November through March Pruning at the wrong time of year may lead to infection of oak wilt. If you MUST prune during risky period, spray wound immediately with shellac. Reference: www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu
ELMS
ELMS WHY? Prune when possible between November through March People believe spring and summer pruning leads to Dutch elm disease infections. Not proven scientifically, but try telling that to someone whose mind is made up.
ASH
ASH WHY? Typically can be pruned September through April Pruning shouldn t take place during Emerald Ash Borer flight season Reference: www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu
HONEYLOCUST
HONEYLOCUST WHY? Avoid wet weather when pruning. Prune during heat of summer or from late fall to late winter. Nectria canker is spread through insects and pruning tools.
CRABAPPLE
MOUNTAIN ASH
CRABAPPLE + MOUNTAIN ASH WHY? Best to prune from late summer through early April. Susceptible to Fireblight, a bacterial disease that can be spread via pruning tools. Spray tools with 70%+ rubbing alcohol and flame between cuts to sterilize and prevent infection.
Minnesota Citizen Pruner TYPES OF REMOVALS
REMOVALS YOU CAN DO IN MINNEAPOLIS Tree Stem Protections Systems Mulch Volcanoes Suckers Sprouts Included bark Co-dominant leaders Crossing or rubbing branches Good spacing between branches Deadwood Temporary branches
SUCKERS Suckers develop at the base of the trunk or off the tree s root system. Can occur because of being planted too deeply Some trees are naturally prone to suckering Can block sight lines, sidewalks and streets.
SPROUTS Fast-growing, often very upright branch that emerges from the tree trunk Can block site lines creating safety issues Sprouts form weak branch unions.
REMOVALS TO BE REPORTED TO MPRB Tree Stem Protections Systems Mulch Volcanoes Suckers Sprouts Included bark Co-dominant leaders Crossing or rubbing branches Good spacing between branches Deadwood Temporary branches
TREE STEM PROTECTION SYSTEMS Protects trees from weed whips, lawnmowers, animals and herbicides. If left on too long can girdle stems and restrict water and nutrient uptake.
MULCH VOLCANOES Mulch piled too close to the tree stem/trunk. Creates environment that promotes Stem Girdling Roots, insects, and diseases.
INCLUDED BARK Bark grows in between a branch union which prevents branch from attaching correctly Forms a weak union
CO-DOMINANT LEADERS Describes two or more main stems that are about the same diameter and emerge from approximately the same location on the trunk. The closer in size a branch is to the main stem, the more likely it is to fail. Remove
CROSSING/RUBBING BRANCHES Collision or potential collision of two branches Can slough bark and injure the cambial layer of the branch, which makes the branch more prone to decay or disease
GOOD SPACING BETWEEN BRANCHES Vertical space between branches should eventually be 12 inches for fruit or small stature trees, and 18 inches for medium and large stature deciduous trees Without proper spacing, it s more likely that branches will begin to cross or rub.
DEADWOOD Branches that are completely dead with not live tissue left on. The larger the tree, the larger the deadwood, and the larger a problem they could cause Before After
TEMPORARY BRANCHES Trees grow outwards, not upwards, so branches that you see now will remain at the same height until you or a storm remove them. The average is clearance needed is 14.5 feet in height.
Minnesota Citizen Pruner PRUNING FUNDAMENTALS
PRUNING BRANCH MATERIAL Identify branch collar Locate the branch bark ridge Avoid cutting into the branch bark ridge or the branch collar. Branch Bark Ridge Branch Collar
PRUNING BRANCH MATERIAL: <1 INCH DIAMETER Hand support branch Identify the branch collar Prune sprouts just beyond the branch collar because it makes a smaller wound that does not injure the main stem.
PRUNING BRANCH MATERIAL: 1-2 INCH DIAMETER Three-cut method: 1. Make a shallow cut on the underside of the branch 1 or 2 feet out from the branch union. 2. Make a top cut all the way through the branch slightly farther out than the first cut to leave a short nub. 3. Remove the nub by cutting just outside the branch collar. 2nd Cut 3rd Cut 1st Cut
PRUNING SUCKERS Suckers should be pruned as close to and as parallel with the ground as possible. Suckers that form on the base of the trunk should be pruned similarly to sprouts. Prune small suckers growing out of the trunk s base with bypass pruners just outside the branch collar or area of swelling (if present). Whenever possible, saw away from the trunk to lower the risk of injuring the stem.
FRUIT TREE PRUNING Fruit trees will tend to grow: Too many interior shoots Large branches Dense canopy Prune late winter to early spring or late July to August Thinning cuts vs. heading cuts Shoots vs. spurs have an equal balance Look for branches that angle up or are parallel to the ground Shoot is to the left of the arrow, spur to the right Flower buds on pear and apple trees
Minnesota Citizen Pruner POOR PRUNING & COMPARTMENTALIZATION
BARK RIPPING Occurs when the three-cut method is not used to remove large branches. Happens when pruning cut is made by starting the cut on the top side of the branch. The branch fails because it doesn t have enough support, causing the bark at the base of the branch to tear.
FLUSH CUTTING Occurs when a pruning cut is made close to the stem and removes part of the cambium layer, the stem s living tissue. This inhibits the flow of water and nutrients up the stem, and can affect branch development in the canopy and can cause decay.
STUB CUTTING Occurs when a branch is not pruned just outside the branch collar. Takes longer for the tree to grow new wood and bark over the wound.
PRUNING IS WOUNDING Trees don t heal The larger the wound the larger potential problem Callus tissue seals/covers wounds CODIT ability to limit decay from wounds Pruning wound One year later
CODIT COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF DECAY IN TREES Plugs up tissues to prevent the transport of diseases and decay in the stem. Plugging also prevents the transport of water and nutrients. Some trees species are better than others. If pruned correctly, new growth will form over the wound quickly.
Minnesota Citizen Pruner PRUNING IN MINNEAPOLIS
PRUNING EVENTS Calli will notify of you of upcoming Minneapolis scheduled volunteer pruning events Locations and times will vary to allow opportunities for all to get involved If you have any questions regarding volunteer events, contact Calli at CCloutier@minneapolisparks.org
INDEPENDENT PRUNING IN MINNEAPOLIS See Citizen Pruner Independent Training Guide 2017 on MNTCA website Direct questions to the MPRB Forestry Department Wear a safety vest & carry your Citizen Pruner ID card Pre-approve location with MPRB contact before pruning Track hours and pruning data with Citizen Pruner Field Form Send scanned copy to citizenpruner@mntca.org forestry@minneapolisparks.org Be aware of brush pickup needs by Forestry Staff Consolidate brush piles for quick pickup Report locations & share maps of exact locations brush was left Take photos (before & after) for educational materials &
DATA COLLECTION
ENTERING HOURS http://www.mntca.umn.edu/resources/educationvolunteer-hours-reporting
Minnesota Citizen Pruner QUESTIONS
RESOURCES Zins, Mark. Deborah Brown. Pruning Trees and Shrubs. University of Minnesota Extension. 2009. www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg0628.html Johnson, Gary. Benjamin Cooper. Tree Stem Protection. University of Minnesota. www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2009/12/tree-stem-protection/ University of Florida. Cleaning the Canopy. 2011. www.hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/cleaning.shtml Hazard Trees: Danger Overhead. Tree Care Tips. www.treecaretips.org/hazard_trees/why_branches_fall.htm USDA Forest Service. How to: Prune Trees. Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. NA-FR-01-95. 2012. www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/htprune-rev-2012-screen.pdf Marx, Harold. Tree Decay: An Expanded Concept. USDA Forest Service. Agriculture Information Bulletin Number 419. April 1979. www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/misc/treedecay/pg12-19.htm Growing Fruit Trees in Maine: Pruning. University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits. https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/pruning/ University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener. Pruning. Microsoft Office PowerPoint. 2013. North, Eric. Pruning is Wounding Microsoft Office PowerPoint. 2013.
DAY 2 TRAINING DETAILS Thursday, October 25 th 6:30pm to 9:00pm Outdoor field practice session Dress for the weather wear boots, long pants, jackets, etc. Bring gloves for hand protection Safety goggles, glasses, or sunglasses for eye protection