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The Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee’s mission is to advance Minnesota’s commitment to the health, care and future of all community forests.

Inside ThIs Issue2 Perspectives Column

4 Mystery Tree

5 urban Forest health: Common Tansy

7 Clip and save: how to Buy Firewood

11 Dispel-A-Myth: The Public Never Listens

13 A Venerable Oak

15 Calendar

Visit MnSTAC on the Web at www.mnstac.org

COMMUNITY FOREST PROFILE

ADVOCATE • Spring 2008

Spring 2008 VOl. 10, NO. 2

By Dave Hanson

A milestone has been reached and milestones are to be celebrated. Minnesota’s Tree Care Advisors (TCA) have been serving their communities for fifteen years!

The TCA program had modest beginnings in 1993. Many members of this “Alpha” class are proud to have been on the cutting edge and they are still active with the program today.

Minnesota TCAs have contributed over 52,500 hours in fifteen years to urban forestry projects in Minnesota. Translating this to real dollars is accomplished with statistics from www.independentsector.org. Independent Sector set the 2005 Minnesota volunteer value at $18.25 per hour. So, in those terms, that translates to over $985,000 of value to the State of Minnesota. We can also look at the market value of services rendered. So, using the going rate for college level seasonal employees of roughly $10.00 per hour still yields a whopping value of $525,000.

Minnesota TCAs are involved in a wide range of activities as explained below:

Planting hours: TCAs often consult on questions of landscape design, tree selection, tree pruning, winter care, planting, and other tree topics. This category also includes time spent at planting projects, research projects at the University of Minnesota and other “hands on” activities.

Tree Care Advisors continued on page 3

Minnesota’s Tree Care Advisors Celebrate Fifteen Years!

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Minnesota TCAs provide assistance on University of Minnesota, TRE nursery research projects.

Words from the Woods—Some Thoughts on Professionalism

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PERSPECTIVES COLUMN

Spring 2008 • ADVOCATE

By Stephen Nicholson

Many of you are already aware of the changes being made to MnSTAC. These changes, and those yet to come, have their genesis in a long process that began with input from active MnSTAC members and crafted (sometimes painfully) along the way by the Board of Directors. I wish to publicly thank my colleagues on the Board for their diligence and Ken Simons for his leadership. I hope you will take an opportunity to do the same.

One of our important goals is to keep MnSTAC relevant by providing meaningful networking and educational opportunities. Let’s face it, we all pretty much get along and enjoy each others’ company. I’ve never noticed a problem there. I call it camaraderie. And I believe that camaraderie grows from our collegiality. Wikipedia describes it thus—“collegiality can connote respect for another’s commitment to the common purpose and ability to work toward it.” Doesn’t this describe us, MnSTAC, quite well? And doesn’t this speak volumes about how we can work together even as we disagree?

I personally believe quite strongly in this idea of commitment to a common purpose as I struggle with my ability to work towards it. In a small way, the MnSTAC Forums help me with my ability and as my ability grows, so does the strength of my commitment. But the reverse is also true; without commitment, what happens to my abilities? What happens to my career?

Many of us have wisely chosen a career in our industry. You probably hope, as I do, that if your current job doesn’t work out that your career will carry on. It likely will, but only if you stay committed to your career and the profession that supports that career. Your MnSTAC colleagues can help by respecting your commitment along with their own. We can do this by supporting our organization: participating in the broad range of educational opportunities (Forums) that strengthen our abilities, volunteering for our new committees focused on strengthening our organization and promoting our message. We don’t have these committees yet but eventually the call will go out. Please listen. On the other hand, if for you, it’s just a job, then my message isn’t for you. But you can’t have it both ways. If you enjoy the camaraderie, the collegiality, then where is your commitment?

Perhaps the message is quite simple. If you support your profession, it will have the strength to support your career. Your job is a part of something bigger—your career. Your career is part of something larger still—a profession. Jobs can be ephemeral or transitional but your career can last as long as you wish and the profession will back it up. Even if you want it all to be about you, it’s your career, your profession. Commit to them through participation. Your colleagues will be there.

Stephen Nicholson is a MnSTAC board member and a Certified Forester© with Kunde Consultants in the Twin Cities.

He can be reached at [email protected].

ADVOCATE • Spring 2008 3

Often TCAs work quietly within their communities. Gordon Herbst in Mankato works on committees and educational programs. Norm Erickson is known as “Southeast Minnesota’s buckthorn buster.” Some TCAs, such as Dianne Booth in Cook County and Bill Meyers at Winona State University, use their training everyday on the job. While others such as Jane Klien, Robert Wright, and Cliff Johnson, just to name a few, are simply driven to improve the care and stature of trees in our urban forest.

Bottom line, when local tree sales, planting projects, committees or community education classes need a touch of tree knowledge—call on a Minnesota Tree Care Advisor.

For more information about Minnesota Tree Care Advisors, visit their website: www.mntca.org

Speaking hours: TCAs find themselves presenting on tree topics in places like Senior Centers and elementary classrooms. You may also find them presenting at conferences, in garden centers or to Community Education classes.

Media hours: Writing articles (newspaper, newsletter) or preparing display boards, video sessions for local access channels, and radio call-in shows.

Committee hours: Several TCAs are involved as tree board members, or serve on urban forestry related committees or planning boards.

Continuing education: TCAs take advantage of various educational opportunities such as the Shade Tree Short Course, TCA and Master Gardener updates, and attend a variety of conferences.

Plant diagnostic hours: This includes home visits and plant clinics.

Yard and garden lines—Phone and web-based Master Gardener consultations handling consumer questions ranging from insect or pathogens to maintenance questions.

Booths: TCAs often interface with the public at Arbor Day events, fairs, home shows, garden centers and many community events.

Approximately one third of Minnesota Tree Care Advisors are active in various aspects of community forestry. Many serve as liaisons to professionals—diagnosing or attempting diagnostics of property owner’s tree related problems. While fact sheets and other related information may be forwarded, these consultations most often lead to recommendations that the homeowner contact an ISA certified arborist, a city forester or other professional consultant for an onsite visit.

TCAs work the “Reforest the State Fairgrounds” booth on behalf of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

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Tree Care Advisors continued from page 1

If your organization (whether Neighborhood, City, County, or State level) needs well trained “Tree”

volunteers—call Dave Hanson at 612-624-1226 or Rebecca Koetter at 612-624-4261 and we

can help you get in touch with TCAs in your area.

Dave Hanson is a Research Specialist in Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Minnesota.

This mystery tree has been labeled by many in the nursery industry as an “ugly duckling.” Most people scoff at this tree when it is young and marvel at its unique form and bark texture when it matures. It can reach a mature height of over 100 feet or more, but typically reaches a modest 50-70 feet when fully mature. It is a Minnesota native that occurs naturally in the Minnesota and Mississippi river valleys.

This tree prefers well drained soil with full sun exposure, but may tolerate a wide range of soils and is considered to be very drought tolerant. It is able to grow in USDA zones 3-8. It has a doubly pinnately compound leaf that is often more than two feet in length.

Urban foresters are sometimes a little shy to plant this tree due to the large seed pods on the female varieties that drop in the early spring. More often than not, the small amount of seed pod litter pickup in the spring is well worth the effort because of the striking appearance of the species.

Anecdotally, it is known that the seeds from this tree were used by Native Americans for trading and the seeds are commonly found near their ancient settlements.

Answer on page 14

Spring 2008 • ADVOCATE4

Mystery Tree

Photos provided by the U.S. Forest Service and Jacob Ryg.


URBAN FOREST HEALTH

History and Invasive Potential in North AmericaCommon tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, is an invasive weed of forest and field margins, pastures, rights of way, and natural areas. Tansy can form a monoculture that decreases desirable vegetation. This can result in reduced pasture carrying capacity, degradation of wildlife habitat, and obstructed reforestation and restoration efforts.

Used as a medicinal and ornamental plant, tansy was deliberately introduced from Europe to the Americas. It escaped cultivation and continues to spread. Tansy has a large native range in Europe and Asia and has successfully invaded most other continents. It is listed as a noxious weed in counties in Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming in the U.S. and Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia in Canada. In Minnesota, tansy is prevalent in the northcentral and northeast portions of the state with new infestations spreading to the west and south. Much of the state has habitat suitable for tansy. Tansy does not tolerate tillage or heavy shade, but can grow along roadsides and margins from which it can spread to pastures and natural areas.

IdentificationCommon tansy is an aromatic, herbaceous perennial with multiple stems that form a clump. The plant can reach a height of 6 ft, but often grows 3-4 ft tall. Stems are reddish brown. Leaves are finely divided and have a

“fern-like” appearance. “Button-like” yellow flowers are arranged in clusters at the stem tips. Flowering occurs July through September and then the flowers senesce and brown seedheads persist until spring. Tansy reproduces by both seed and rhizome to quickly form dense stands. The seeds are lightweight and easily moved by wind, water, wildlife, vehicles, equipment, etc.

ControlControl small infestations early either by hand pulling or using herbicides. Either method will require follow up treatments. Spraying herbicide is the only control method available at this time for large infestations. Contact your University Extension Agent for herbicide recommendations. Herbicide control can be costly and may not be an option for environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands.

Development of Biological ControlBiological control is in the early stages of development with the goal of tansy control that is cost effective and sustainable for large infestations. Weed biological control uses host specific insects and diseases to control target plants. Biological control of invasive plants in Minnesota is a cooperative program with established networks. Successful weed biological control programs in Minnesota include leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, and purple loosestrife. The insects

Common Tansy in MinnesotaBy Monika Chandler

Common Tansy continued on page 6

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that control these plants in their native ranges were united with the North American spurge, knapweed, and loosestrife populations to great effect. Prior to the release of any non-native weed biocontrol insects, a detailed risk analysis is performed to prevent non-target effects.

In 2006, a joint United States and Canadian consortium launched a project to develop biological control for common tansy. This project seeks to study host specific tansy feeding insects in tansy’s native European range and test their potential for biological control in North America. Consortium members include university, agency, and industry personnel. Monika Chandler with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is coordinating the consortium for the US. The research is conducted by CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre.

The status of this project is that potential insect biocontrol candidates have been identified from collection sites in Europe and Russia. Several of these insect species are being reared

at the CABI research facility in Switzerland. All potential biological control agents will be tested extensively to determine efficacy and host specificity. A test plant list was developed and submitted in September 2007 to the Canadian Biological Control Review Committee (BCRC) and the USDA Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents of Weeds (TAG). This document proposes the plant species against which prospective biological control agents for common tansy will be tested to ensure their host-specificity. Seeds for many species on the test plant list were acquired in 2007.

The development of a biological control project is expected to extend over 7-10 years depending on results. Future research includes the continuation of field surveys and insect collection in Europe and Asia and host specificity and efficacy testing. If an insect bioagent meets specificity and efficacy criteria, then petitions to release the insect in North America will be submitted to the TAG and BCRC. For more information on the development of biological control for

common tansy, please visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/badplants/tansycontrol.htm.

Related ProjectsThere are two research projects in progress that relate to the development of biological control for common tansy. They include a systemic study of species related to Tanacetum by Dr. John Gaskin with the USDA ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory and a study of genetic diversity within introduced populations of common tansy in North America by Dr. Alan Smith and Benjamin Clasen with the University of Minnesota.

The Importance of Timely ManagementIt is important to recognize

and control a tansy infestation while it is small and manageable. Left unchecked, an infestation will become unmanageable very quickly.

Monika Chandler is with the Minnesota Dept of Agriculture. She can be reached at 651-201-6468.

Photos: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

ADVOCATE • Spring 2008

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How to Buy FirewoodBy Adam Flett

How Much Firewood am I Buying?Purchasing firewood can be hard when terms like cord, face cord, rick, stove cord, and pick-up load all can specify quantities of wood. A cord of wood is a stack 4' high by 4' deep by 8' long, or any arrangement equaling 128 cubic feet of wood. A cord can weigh anywhere from 1 to 2 tons, making the actual amount of fuel differ from cord to cord due to differences in density of species and how dry the wood may be. Obviously, moving such large quantities is hard to do without the right vehicle, and for many firewood buyers, a 4' log is far too big to burn at home.

A “face” cord (also known as a “rick” or “stove” cord) is about one-third of a full cord, where dimensions equal 4' high by 8' long and on average 16" deep. This is generally the quantity sold to individuals for use at home, but be wary; there is large variation between the stipulated amount of a face cord and what merchants actually deliver. This can often be the case when a pickup load is simply dumped in your yard without immediate stacking. Be sure to either have your supplier stack the wood or have a contact number if you stack it yourself.

Firewood Pricing: What is a Fair Price?Due to the large variation in quantities sold to firewood users, knowing how to calculate prices can be quite useful when purchasing different types of cords. Usually, vendors will classify a face cord as 4' high by 8' long and some varying depth. In this case, simply divide the depth of a normal cord (48") by the depth of the face cord, rick, or stove cord (X") and multiply size factoring value (Y) by the price offered (P); this is the way to calculate price per cord from a smaller amount. The equation:

48" ÷ X" = Y x P = Price per Cord (in dollars)

For example: you are offered a “rick” of firewood stacked 4' high, 8' long, and 18" deep at the price of $80 per rick. If a full cord sells for $160, how much are you paying in comparison?

48" ÷ 18"= 2.67 x $80 = $213.60 per cord

In this case, you would be paying more than the market value per cord by buying a smaller amount of wood. Keep in mind, market cordwood prices can be hard to locate and usually differ between regions.

What are BTU’s?A BTU, or British thermal unit, is a unit of measurement describing the amount of heat value a particular substance contains. It is defined as the amount of heat energy necessary to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. BTU’s can vary greatly between different fuel sources, including differing species of firewood.

How to Buy Firewood continued on page 8


BTU capacity varies greatly from species to species; dense hardwoods tend to have the highest BTU values, followed by softer hardwoods and harder softwoods, then lighter softwoods. Hardwood trees are angiosperms or flowering trees such as oaks, maple, and birches, whereas softwood trees are gymnosperms or coniferous trees like pines, firs, and spruces. Firewood enthusiasts prefer the slower, longer lasting burn of good hardwoods rather than the quick burning, high heat intensity of softwoods. If you are looking to warm up quickly, softwoods are ideal, otherwise their use as fuel is usually limited to kindling. Follow this link to learn more about relative BTU capacity: http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html

Things to look for in Firewood: Which wood is good?Seasoning:Choose wood that has been thoroughly seasoned. In general, firewood is “seasoned” following a harvest anywhere from three months to a year pending the seasoning conditions. Wood that is “green” or unseasoned contains higher amounts of water and makes for a poor fuel, which should be avoided unless you do not plan to use it until it is properly seasoned. Furthermore, burning wet wood can lead to higher rates of creosote condensation in your chimney, which can lead to increased chances of chimney fires due to its highly flammable nature. Signs of seasoning include a relatively lighter weight and cracks or “checks” in the ends of logs.

Note the checks and cracks in the end grain of this seasoned oak.

Spread of Insects, Fungi, and Pests: Does Firewood Spread Disease and Insects?Many states have regulations pertaining to the transportation of invasive species that may inhabit firewood in hopes of preventing further spread. You can help by not purchasing or moving firewood from beyond a local source.

Emerald Ash Borer:This pesky insect has been quite a nuisance in recent years across the southern parts of Michigan and scattered about the Ohio-Indiana area. It has also been identified in parts of Illinois as recently as 2007. Although there are quarantined zones specific to these states, as well as sub-zoning in counties with higher borer counts, the spread continues largely due to the transportation of infested firewood without knowledge of the borer’s presence, or even existence.

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Unlike their slower, natural rate of movement (about one-half of a mile a year), firewood traveling great distances has proven to be the main cause of the spreading infestation. The larvae live in trees where they feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient transportation. Check your firewood for D-shaped exit holes and serpentine feeding scars (galleries).

Do not bring firewood into state parks or campgrounds! Purchase wood available at the campground or buy wood that has been inspected and has a seal of approval from the Department of Natural Resources commissioner on the packaging.

Note the D-shaped exit holes contrasted with the bark.

Bark beetle scarring under bark on an elm.

Dutch elm disease:Caused by a fungus and vectored into elm trees by elm bark beetles, this disease produces a blockage in water-conducting tissue in the tree, leading to discoloration, wilt, and eventually death. Already having wide-spread effect on the American elm population, preventing further spread is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, trees that have been infected can put other adjacent trees at risk as well through root grafting.

Because of this, it is important to practice sanitation methods by removing the disease and/or insect source; chip, compost, or burn infected elm logs, the primary site for bark beetle breeding. Look for scarring under the bark. If the firewood you are purchasing/have purchased shows similar traits, remove them from your wood pile and keep them far from other standing elms or elm firewood piles. However, if the bark is removed, the firewood is okay for storage and use.

Galleries left by EAB larvae under bark.

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Oak Wilt Disease:Also caused by a fungus and root grafting, oak wilt has proven to be deadly to oak populations, specifically in red oaks. Spread across southern and eastern side of Minnesota, many thousands of landscape trees have become victims. Preventative measures such as avoiding moving logs from infected trees are necessary in fighting its movement into new areas. Oak wilt mats can and may form on infected logs, which has proven to account for the establishment of new infection site that had previously shown no signs of oak wilt. Like Dutch Elm, this disease may be spread by firewood if the bark is intact.

Preventing the continuing spread of pests and infectious diseases is of the utmost importance. Check for these signs as well as any other unusual signs of infection!

Stacking and Storing:Stacking wood can help save time and space if done properly, not to mention provide a higher quality burn. Wood should be stored either raised off the ground or on a pervious surface in order to prevent fungal growth. Furthermore, raising the firewood with an open bottom can aid in seasoning by providing airflow. It is important to consider the repercussions of placing firewood in racks in or near your home. Carpenter ants, termites, and borers of sorts may move from your woodpile to wood in your structure, either causing damage or creating a nuisance.

Outdoor firewood stack placed safely away from structures.

Note the black fungal spore mats of oak wilt located under the bark of red oaks.

Adam Flett was an undergraduate research assistant

with the Department of

Forest Resources Extension and

Outreach at the University of

Minnesota.

Indoor firewood stack.

Stacking and storing wood close to your home can also increase your susceptibility to fires. The Department of Natural Resource’s Firewise program is a community extension program focused on the protection of your home from fire. Creating a defensible space is one of the first steps you can take to reduce your risk for fire; move your firewood pile far enough away from your home or other structures to ensure that if a spark does reach your woodpile, your home will not be in the direct danger of catching as well. Learn more about Firewise by accessing this website: www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html

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The Public Never Listens to the City Forester

Any public servant who has spent any time interacting with “the public” has figured out that you will run into people who have their own agenda. One thing that I’ve repeatedly learned is that it isn’t about the science behind the trees—it’s about the people behind, under and near the trees who really count.

The stereotype that resounds among the public at large is that the “government” is out to get them or will happily gobble up all their hard earned money. The opposite is actually closer to the truth. As a public employee and city forester, I’m in charge of keeping trees healthy and the network of green infrastructure vibrant and growing. We carefully look at each tree for risk potential as well as the entire urban forest as it relates to our city health and image. There are battles between a multitude of unique user groups that compete for and against the conservation of trees. The position of City Forester exists because of this competition and to protect the interests of trees, people and the community. Some of us in the urban forestry profession, who must interact with people who are hostile and belligerent, often begin to develop a cynical attitude towards the public at large. The cure for this is finding your local tree care advocates. The Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) has made available the NeighborWoods program to assist in bringing together those people in

your community who love trees and want to make a difference. The best cure for “no one listens” is getting those folks that are willing to listen to become part of your support network. The results that I’ve had with the NeighborWoods program have been phenomenal in all aspects of my forestry program.

As most successful companies out there know, the best form of advertisement is word of mouth. How would you like to have over 500 trained citizens to speak to their city council members, neighbors, tree services and to write positive letters to the editor of the local newspaper in support of your program? The people who once looked out the window and cursed because they saw that a tree had been pruned for a single leader, now have at least a minimal understanding that what we’re doing is for the benefit of our city trees. Articles in the newspaper, radio interviews, Arbor Day festivals and community tree planting events bring more and more people into your corner. Last week, I issued a work slip for my arborists to go into a neighborhood that hadn’t been pruned for over ten years. The trees were very overgrown and causing some clearance issues for pedestrians and traffic. I had begun a formative pruning program five years ago, where we would go into every neighborhood in the city, and select those trees that are less than 8 inches in diameter and begin training them for a central leader.

DIsPeL-A-MYTh

By Jacob Ryg

DISPEL-A-MyTH continued on page 12

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This particular neighborhood was the last on my list and I knew it would be a challenge because of the issues that had arisen in the past with homeowners and trees. We pruned two 4-inch diameter white ash trees on a Thursday afternoon and Friday morning I received a phone message that was a firestorm of expletives and phrases like “all the trees in this town look like−−−” and “I talked to the mayor” and even “I’ll have your job by the end of this.” Needless to say I was surprised and dumfounded by this person.

I immediately drove out and looked at the “scene of the crime” and found that the trees were in perfect shape and were pruned according to the ANSI A300 standards, exactly like my arborists have been trained to do. I called the council member in this person’s ward and told him to be ready for a phone call and some strong opinions from one of his constituents.

The response over the weekend was nothing short of amazing. I received an email from the council member with the request from this “angry citizen” to remove the trees and replace them. This email was copied to all of the seven city council members, the mayor, the city administrator and both of my bosses. I still thank my lucky stars that I was able to succinctly respond to that email with our version of the story and the additional background information to plead our case.

The responses from these politicians and decision makers was excellent, the following are two responses I received Monday morning:

This support is a direct result of the communi-cations to the decision makers and citizen base of volunteers that are confidant in the “modern arboriculture” that is being practiced in our city. The extra effort to educate the public may not pay off immediately, but after a couple of years, and when your email list grows and grows, the support will follow.

Prior to 2004, the city did not have any money allocated to planting trees in the boulevards. For the first time in 2008, we were allocated $300,000 for boulevard tree planting. It is a major success, after being told in 2004, that our community doesn’t support trees in the boulevards.

What a difference those “citizen foresters” can make!

DiSpEl-A-MyTH continued from page 11

“My experience with you

and your staff in the years

that you’ve been on board

has been nothing less than

extraordinary and I would

stand behind you and vouch

for your dedication and

professionalism in everything

you do should you need my

assistance.”

“I appreciate the work you and your guys do. When we get these types of communications we always know there are two sides to each issue. You have shared your position well…keep up the good work!”

Jacob Ryg is a Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Tree Worker and a Municipal Specialist—all for the City of Rochester,

Minnesota.

For more information about the Alliance for Community Trees and the NeighborWoods program, visit http://actrees.org


Behind the Learning Center at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum stands an impressive Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). It is a well shaped tree approximately 60 feet tall and with a canopy spread of 90 feet. Although there are other oak trees at the Arboretum that are both taller and with wider canopies, as far as we know, this oak has the distinction of having the trunk with the widest diameter.

Arborists and foresters use the measurement ‘diameter at breast height’ (d.b.h.) to indicate trunk width. This oak tree has a 52" d.b.h. which is equivalent to a circumference of 14 feet. To determine the age of this tree, there is a technique by the International Society of Arboriculture where the age can be estimated by multiplying the d.b.h. of the tree by a species specific growth factor. For bur oak, we can use the white oak growth factor of 5.0 which would give us an estimated age of 260 (52 x 5) years.

According to Gary Johnson from the University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources, it is necessary to make an adjustment to the age based on the quality of the growing site. A tree on an unfavorable site may be older than the formula

age and conversely a tree on a favorable site may be younger. The site behind the Learning Center offers a moist, well-drained soil which is favorable for bur oak growth; therefore an adjusted estimation would put our bur oak at 225 years old.

Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, in the early 1780s, our oak tree began its life. Most likely it began when an acorn from a nearby tree serendipitously nestled into a bare spot in the vegetative ground cover. Foraging birds and mammals such as woodpeckers, jays, mice, squirrels, deer or bears did not discover the acorn and with suitable temperature and moisture conditions, it germinated.

At that time, most of the land area that comprises the Arboretum was wooded and part of a large, forested native plant community that was designated by the early French explorers as the bois fort or bois grand. Later English-speaking inhabitants translated it to the “Big Woods.” This forest covered more than 2,000 square miles of south-central Minnesota and extended in a band 40 miles wide from Mankato to Monticello. The

By Dan Miller

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The answer to the Mystery Tree is: Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus).


Big Woods plant community is comprised of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), basswood (Tilia americana), oak (Quercus spp.), and elm (Ulmus spp.) in the overstory layer. Our bur oak seedling penetrated its roots deeply into the soil and established itself among the other tree seedlings and shrubs. This well-drained site between two wetlands offered an ideal environment for prosperous tree growth and development.

At the turn of the century, the forested area south of Lake Minnewashta was an uninhabited wilderness. The indigenous people of the region were the Mdewakanton and Wahpeton bands of the Dakota Sioux but their villages were located along the banks of the Lower Minnesota River near Shakopee and Carver. From their home sites, they would travel north out of the river valley on hunting, fishing, and gathering trips. Presumably they would occasionally visit the area that is now the Arboretum and would have passed by our bur oak sapling that may have been 15 to 20 feet high.

The vast area of the Upper Mississippi River Valley at that time was French territory. It did not become part of the United States until 1803 when the French sold it as part of the Louisiana Purchase. To open up the territory to American development, the government took possession by establishing a fort at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Fort Snelling was completed in 1825 and thereby allowed an influx of settlers who came to the new territory looking for opportunities to acquire land and to begin farming the area.

The first settlers reached the areas south of Lake Minnewashta around the mid-1800s and began to clear the trees from the land to grow crops on the fertile forest soils. Several early pioneers homesteaded the lands of today’s Arboretum. The early history of one of these pioneers is chronicled in the book “A Frontier Family in Minnesota: Letters of Theodore and Sophie Bost, 1851-1920.”

Pioneers like Theodore Bost worked arduously to create farm land. They had to clear the “Big Woods” trees. They cut the oaks, maples, and basswoods and used the high-quality lumber to build their homes and barns or burned it as firewood to heat their homes. They grew corn, wheat, oats, forage crops, fruit trees, potatoes,

rutabagas and many other vegetables on the cleared land. They raised oxen for work animals, horses for transportation, and dairy and beef cattle for food. Many of their parcels were 160 acres. Several homesteads were located on the lands of the present Arboretum. The Bost farm was located where the Arboretum’s red barn currently stands.

According to the plat books at the Carver County Courthouse, the first person to homestead the land of our bur oak was Joseph Aldritt in 1856. At this time he would have noticed our oak tree was approximately 16" in diameter and would have begun developing a distinct gnarled bur oak shape. The original Aldritt homestead changed possession several times in the next 15 years. Joseph Aldritt sold the parcel to Uriah Thomas in 1858, who sold it to Ralph Kirkham in 1861, who in turn sold it to Ferdinand Kroening in 1871. Possibly these early pioneers allowed their livestock to browse the understory nearby our oak, reducing the competition and allowing our tree to produce an open-grown canopy. Maybe one of the families, who lived in the house on the hill north of our oak, cleared away other trees to give our oak tree an advantage.

The bur oak thrived. It grew massive limbs and developed a wide canopy. It was spared from fatally damaging wind storms or lightning and was not hampered by injurious diseases or insects. By 1958, our bur oak was a prominent feature in the overstory, among equally majestic white oak neighbors. At this time, the land was purchased by the University of Minnesota to build a landscape arboretum. The original house on the hill was removed in 1978 and the homestead’s barn was torn down in 1983 so the Learning Center could be constructed in its place.

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Oak Tree continued on page 16


sTAC INFO & NeWs

The law and policy of Ecosystem Services. J.B. Ruhl, Steven E. Kraft and Christopher L. Lant. 2007. Island Press

The Truth About Garden Remedies. Jeff Gillman. 2008. Timber Press

The Truth About Organic Gardening. Jeff Gillman. 2008. Timber Press

NewsTake Action to Save Urban Forestry Programs The Alliance for Community Trees is join-ing together with 15 national organizations in opposing the drastic cuts proposed for the Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF). The proposed 82% cut in the FY2009 federal budget would leave the national U&CF program with only $5 million to deliver assistance to all 50 states and territories.

Many state forestry agencies rely on funds from the federal U&CF program to provide assistance and cost-share grants to commu-nities. If you have ever received training, technical assistance, or funding from your state urban and community forestry pro-gram, you have benefited from the federal investment in the U&CF program.

For Minnesota, these cuts would elimi-nate DNR support of all Tree Inspector Workshops and the Minnesota Shade Tree Advocate newsletter.

To see how you can take action, visit the Alliance for Community Trees at http://actrees.org/site/stories/take_action_to_save_urban_forestry_programs.php

WebsitesAlliance for Community Trees http://

actrees.org

Great Lakes Forest Alliance www.greatfor-ests.org

Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition www.urbanforestcoalition.com

Tree Link www.treelink.org

USDA Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/index.html

Calendar

For handy up-to-date links to Websites of interest, be sure to visit www.mnstac.org

About MnsTACThe Minnesota Shade Tree

Advisory Committee (MnSTAC) was established in 1974 by a group of concerned citizens to address the health and well being of community forests. MnSTAC is recognized throughout Minnesota and the country for its expertise, advice, coordination and support for community trees. It is an organization of diverse individuals who represent a broad spectrum of tree-related interests. It fosters and supports local community tree programs across the state so healthy community forests are fully integrated into community development, infrastructure, education and management.

MnSTAC BoArd of direCTorS

President: Ken Simons—763/355-8694

Emily Barbeau, City of Minnetonka—952/988-8421

Ken Holman, MN Dept. of Natural Resources/Forestry—651/259-5269

Steve Nicholson, Kunde Company—651/484-0114

Gary R. Johnson, U of M/Forest Resources—612/625-3765

Kameron Kytonen, City of Andover—763/767-5137

Tina Markeson, MN Dept. of Transportation—651/366-3619

EventsMay 17, 2008, Minnesota Festival of

Trees, Central Park, Eagan, Minnesota. www.msa-live.org

May 21, 2008, New Tree Inspector Training Workshop, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Contact: 612-624-4261.

June 23-25, 2008, Crisis or Opportunity? Sustaining and Strengthening Forest-Based Industries in the Great Lakes Region, Madison, Wisconsin. Contact: 608-442-1255. www.greatforests.org

July 26-30, 2008, International Society of Arboriculture 84th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Saint Louis, Missouri. www.isa-arbor.com/conference

October 6-8, 2008, The Landscape Below Ground III Conference, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois. www.landscapebelowground.org

October 26-29, 2008. Minnesota Invasive Species Conference, Duluth, Minnesota. Contact: Bob Koch at 651-201-6549 or [email protected]

November 5-9, 2008, Society of American Foresters 2008 National Convention, Reno-Tahoe, Nevada. www.safnet.org

November 18-20, 2008, Partners in Community Forestry National Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. www.arborday.org

December 3-6, 2008, American Society of Consulting Arborists Annual Conference, Tucson, Arizona. www.asca-consultants.org

New PublicationsA Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration.

David A. Bainbridge. 2007. Island Press

Conifers for Gardens. Richard L. Bitner. 2007. Timber Press

Field Guide to Wisconsin Sedges. Andrew L. Hipp. 2008. University of Wisconsin Press

Old Fields: Dynamics and Restoration of Abandoned Farmland . Viki A. Cramer and Richard J. Hobbs. 2007. Island Press

parks and Carrying Capacity. Robert E. Manning. 2007. Island Press

perennials for Midwestern Gardens. Anthony W. Kahtz. 2008. Timber Press

Renewable Resource policy: The legal-institutional Foundations . David A. Adams. 2007. Island Press

Spring 2008 • ADVOCATE

Presorted Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 171

St. Paul, MN

Minnesota Shade Tree Advocate

A quarterly newsletter published by the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee.

Managing Editorial Group: MnSTAC Education Committee (Emily Barbeau, James Burks, Ken Holman, Gary R. Johnson, Rebecca Koetter, Lara Newberger, Jeff Rick, Jacob Ryg, Stephen Schott, Mark Stennes, and Patrick Weicherding)

Editor-in-Chief: Judy Slater

Design: Creative Services Unit, MNDNR

Material in this newsletter is not copyrighted. Reproduction for educational purposes is encouraged. Subscriptions are free. Articles, news items, photos and videos are welcome.

This publication was produced with the support of the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area; State and Private Forestry.

Address inquiries to:

Minnesota DNRDivision of Forestry500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155

Printed on recycled paperusing soy-based inks.

Minnesota Shade Tree Advocate500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4044RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Today, our bur oak tree can be found behind the Learning Center, where it towers over a naturalistic playground for kids and nearby teaching gardens. It maintains its intrinsic beauty, its superior form, and more importantly, its good health. Perhaps it will survive for another 100 years or more.

Oak Tree continued from page 14

Dan Miller is the integrated pest Management (ipM) Specialist at the Minnesota landscape Arboretum. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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