Po Box 397, Hailey, ID, 83333, Tel: (208) 788-1611, Fax: (208) 788-1610

www.SunValleyTree.com, info@sunvalleytree.com

ISA Certified ArboristsBill Josey RM-0715ATJeff Beacham PN-5864ANick Chickrell PN-6472ALiz Conrod PN-5912A

Millions of years before synthetic fertilizers ushered in the era ofhigh-yield intensive agriculture, natural composting createdevery bit of soil on earth. Balanced, fertile and self-

regenerating, this soil sustained all life. Today with man’s help, thecomposting process has been accelerated dramatically. Compost isbeing rediscovered as an importanttool to rebuild soils for farming,landscaping, nurseries, golf courses,and gardens.Over time soil becomesdepleted of nutrients andliving organic matter andit becomes essentiallydead. The addition ofcompost helpstransform dead soil intoa nourishing, livingmaterial. Becausecompost enhances somany differentqualities of soil, it ismost often considered acomplete soil conditioner,not just a fertilizer.Compost improves the structureof soil enabling it to better retainnutrients, moisture, and oxygen.Compost improves the structure ofall soil types, especially sandy andheavy clay soils. Furthermore, ithelps develop strong healthy rootsystems, key to protecting soils from windand water erosion.Applications of compost also provide an enormous variety of nutrientsto soil. It contains macronutrients, micronutrients, numerous traceelements, oxygen, and organic carbon. They all contribute to the living

micro-environment that plants need to thrive. The diverse elements incompost break down at different rates. As a result, nutrients arereleased over a long period of time. It’s truly the best organic slowrelease fertilizer on the market.Recent research has shown that soil amended with compost produces

plants with fewer pest anddisease problems. It helps

control the spread of diseasesand pests by supplying natural

checks and balances. Similarto humans, the healthier a

plant is, the better theyare prepared to resistdisease and pests.Organic compost top-dress applicationsincrease long-term soilhealth for a greenerand more sustainablelawn.

Many properties in ourvalley have depleted soils in

addition to significantstructure and nutrient issues.

Compost is the easiest, mosteffective top dressingamendment available - feeding

your plants and protecting theenvironment in one easy step. We

highly recommend annual top-dressapplications to trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers,

and vegetable gardens. A single application canprovide 50-100 percent of the annual nutrient needs of a residentiallandscape. Once available for only sports fields and golf courses, wenow offer this service for all types of landscapes. Contact us for moreinformation. You can be certain that we use the highest qualityorganic compost available.

March 2012

ISA-PNW Certified Tree Risk AssessorsBill Josey CRTA 528Jeff Beacham CTRA 868

Although it’s been a relatively mild winter in central Idaho, the January stormsthat came through delivered 2-3 feet of wet, heavy snow in valley locations.

This is the exact type of snow that causes the most damage to trees and shrubs.Consequently, we have been busier than ever this winter responding to calls aboutstorm damage. Reports of damage came from customers throughout the WoodRiver Valley.

For those who haven’t noticed anything major yet, you can definitely expectto find some damage to your landscape once the snow melts in spring. The extent of

the damage depends on the form and structure of the plant and the amount of water inthe snow. Some injuries result in aesthetic changes to the tree, in addition to an

increase in susceptibility to insect and disease attack. Therefore, it is important that thedamage be properly treated to maintain the health of the tree. Depending upon the severityof the damage, the remedy could be light pruning, shaping, or, in some cases, removal of theentire tree or shrub.

The sooner damaged trees and shrubs are taken care of, the better chance theyhave of recovery. Young, fast-growing trees and shrubs have the best chance to recoverfrom major damage. On the other hand, previously damaged or stressed trees are less likelyto recover. Injured plants should be closely observed over the next growing season todetermine the need for additional pruning or fertilization to encourage vigorous growth. Hiringa Certified Arborist is recommended in order to make proper repairs and reduce potential

hazards. You can rely on us to provide the specialized care your plants require after storms.

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We’ve been busy concocting and brewing our ownproprietary compost tea for sale and use in the Wood

River Valley. In order to ensure the best product specific toour local soil conditions, and at the best price for ourcustomers, we realized we had to produce it ourselves. Werecently received Idaho Department of Agricultureproduct registration for ArborCare Special-T®. Keep inmind that all compost teas are not created equally. The qualityof the tea is only as good as the compost and processes usedto make it. You can be certain that we use premium organiccompost and the most advanced production methodsavailable. ArborCare Special-T® applications providenutrients and soil building microbes to trees, shrubs, lawns,and other plants. ArborCare Special-T® is organically pHbuffered. We custom blend with other nutrients andcompounds (i.e. nitrogen, iron, mycorrhizae, etc.) based onthe specific needs of each site. Additionally, we can provideArborCare Special-T if you choose to apply it yourself. Visitour website or give us a call for more product information and

Introducing...

Compost tea is a liquid extract of compost thatcontains plant growth compounds and beneficial

microbes. Liquid extracts have been used for hundredsof years in agriculture to promote plant and soil health.These extracts have historically been derived from awide range of plant materials and animal manures,

using a variety of processing methods. Aerated composttea is a more recent concept that incorporates aeration

technology to create optimum levels of oxygen forgrowth and reproduction of beneficial aerobic

microorganisms. Compost teas are now being producedand used in large-scale agriculture, horticulture,

nurseries, lawn care, and gardens. While it does containnutrients, compost tea should not be thought of as afertilizer, but a complete soil conditioner to be used incombination with other best management practices.Think of it as building soil health over time, adding

beneficial organisms that aid in plant health and growth.

Wet January Storm Causes Damage Throughout valley

What does Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Really Mean?

IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management which is aprocess involving common sense and sound solutions fortreating and controlling pests. IPM is an important tool

used by many industries such as agriculture, forestry,landscaping, public health, home pest control, and invasivespecies management. IPM focuses on long-term preventionof pest problems whileminimizing risks topeople and theenvironment. Themain steps involved inIPM are identification,monitoring pestnumbers and damage,establishing thresholdsfor management, andselecting the leasttoxic, effectivetreatment(s).

Correct pest identification is arguably the mostimportant step in IPM. Identifying the pest is crucial toestablishing if it is likely to become a problem, whethermanagement is needed, and how to address it. Monitoringincludes checking the site to identify which pests are present,assessing their populations and what damage they’ve

caused. When we receive a call about a pest problem, thefirst thing we do is visit the site to correctly identify the pest.Quite often, what someone is describing over the phone isdifferent once viewed by the trained eye of a professional.Site visits help to determine existing pest problems or otherunderlying causes and what management approaches torecommend.

Establishing thresholds for management involvesworking with the client to make decisions based on theirconcerns, goals, and budget. Some clients may have ahigher threshold for damage than others. For example, mosthomeowners typically have a very low threshold for insectsthat kill trees. In contrast, they might have a much higherthreshold for nuisance pests like aphids. Ultimately, it’s upthe client to make the final decision based on the informationand recommendations presented to them by the professional.

Treatment options for every IPM program and eachparticular situation and client will vary dramatically.Furthermore, IPM is client derived and guided by the factorsof each situation and site. There are no standard operatingprotocols or “one size fits all” methods when employing IPM.Each unique approach is a result of an assessment by aqualified professional who then develops a solution to thatspecific problem and presents it to the client. IPM is aboutfinding the best and safest treatment of pest problems basedon client thresholds and direction.

During the past 14 years, IPM has always beenthe principal tool we use when conducting our pestmanagement work. Our IPM strategy employs everyavailable tool to hold pest damage to tolerable levels andweaves together conservation, cultural and physicalmethods, and highly selective control applications. Public

concerns over the use of pesticides areextremely important to us. Our IPM

strategy strives to satisfythose concerns as

well as gainingsatisfactorycontrol overdamagingpestpopulations.

We stronglybelieve that by

committing to ourmonitoring program, Plant Health

Care (PHC), many pest issues we deal withcan be prevented or limited in the severity of the damage.The objective is to improve the landscape’s vitality,appearance, and value. Our PHC programs involve regularsite visits by an ISA Certified Arborist to inspect and monitoroverall landscape health. You will find that having us on sitewill lead to a healthier and happier landscape.

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(1) What native species of pine typically requires fire to release its seeds?(2) Name the 14 Idaho towns named after trees?(3) What kind of tree did George Washington cut down?(4) What deciduous conifer tree is native to Idaho?(5) True or False? Paper can be recycled forever.

Stumped ?Tree Trivia

Mon

itor

Threshold

Identify Prevention

Chemical - the use of pesticides* to kill or deter pest establishment (synthetic or organic products, foliar & systemic applications)* We recommend treatments that are the least toxic, lowest exposure options available. These innovative, super-systemic

products offer a variety of novel applications methods such as bark and root flare infusion. Our goal is to eliminate over-head spraying when and wherever possible.

Cultural - practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, & survival (pruning, increasing soil health, adjusting irrigation)

Biological - the use of natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens, & competitors)

Mechanical - practices which kill the pest directly or make the environment unsuitable for it (erecting barriers, trapping, hand-picking, tillage)

No Control - monitoring and thresholds determine management is not neededAPPROACH CATEGORIES FOR MANAGING PESTS

Plant Health Care (PHC)Our PHC programs involve regular site visits by an ISA Certified Arboristto inspect and monitor tree, shrub, lawn, and overall landscape health.Individualized Programs Single Visits to Weekly Visits per SeasonCost Effective & Pro-active Environmentally Sensitive

Certified Arborist ConsultingWe offer a wide range of consulting services for private and commercialaccounts.Tree Protection for Construction Sites Tree Risk Evaluation & ManagementWritten Opinions & Condition Reports Tree Valuation & AppraisalExpert Witness Services

Your Full Service Solution: Serving Sun Valley and Beyond Since 1997

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Trim DepartmentOur ISA Certified Arborists follow bestmanagement practices for quality and safetyas established by the International Societyof Arboriculture.

Pest & Disease ManagementOur integrated pest management (IPM)strategy strives to satisfy environmentalconcerns as well as gaining satisfactorycontrol over disease and pests.

Lawn DepartmentWe design and implement custom lawnhealth and weed control programs to fit allcustomer needs.

Tree & Shrub Pruning Expert Removal Systemic Treatments Contact Sprays Fertilization Turf Weed Control Planting & Mulching Stump Grinding Plant Growth Regulators Fertilization Noxious Weed Control Aeration Monitoring Straps Chipping Spider Barriers Mosquito Control Insect & Disease Mgmt. Over-seeding Cabling and Bracing Holiday Lights Animal Repellent Sprays Tree Cages Tree Well Maintenance Soil Testing

Compost Top-dressing Compost Tea Injections & Bark Sprays Organic Options Compost Top-dressing Compost Tea

Po Box 397, Hailey, ID, 83333, Tel: (208) 788-1611, Fax: (208) 788-1610

www.SunValleyTree.com, info@sunvalleytree.com

Our lawn department continues to expand and advance our methodology andpractices to represent the best in the industry. Professionally managed by MikeChickrell, who holds a degree in Turfgrass Science from Ohio State University.

Our custom programs use ArborCare Special-T® compost tea combined with nutrients(nitrogen, iron, etc.) and other additives as needed for each site. Weed control isclient derived with options including 100% herbicide free, selective spot-spraying, andmore extensive applications when necessary.

Why compost tea? Nutrients already exist in the soil and once the soil isconditioned to a healthy level they become available to the turf. ArborCare Special-T®compost tea is organically pH buffered which allows for the release of nutrients likecalcium which is known to naturally control weeds in turf. If used with other sustainablepractices like aeration, top-dressing, and precise irrigation, compost tea will lead tomore sustainable turf and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and weed control.

Many lawns also need aeration and top-dressing with organic compost tocreate healthy, sustainable turf. Aeration and compost top-dress applications improvesoil structure, provide nutrients, manage moisture, regulate pH, and increase microbialactivity. A single application of compost can provide 50-100% of the annual fertilizing needs of aresidential lawn. It’s the most effective and natural top-dressing agent which feeds the grass andincreases the health of the soil in one easy step!

OrganicLawn Care