In the wake of the storm: Re-greening the community

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series on storm recovery efforts.

As we enter a small community like New Rockford, the trees we see affect our immediate perception of that community. Trees create a sense of place. Last fall, city leaders proudly highlighted the city when New Rockford hosted Governor Doug Burgum for a community visit. We learned about the governor’s Main Street Initiative and one of its three pillars: building healthy, vibrant communities. Trees provide a visible framework of a healthy, vibrant community. In time, many of the trees here will be replaced – but residents looking to replace trees damaged by the recent windstorm have more to consider than finding the prettiest tree in the nursery.

 Before deciding which type of tree to replant, homeowners need to verify if the planting site is on private or public property. In New Rockford, the green space between the sidewalk and the street (the boulevard) belongs to the city, and residents should check with City Hall or a tree board member before trying to replace fallen trees in that area. Trees need space both above and below ground to grow successfully. For site clearance, keep a distance from street corners and driveways. Boulevards 6 -8 feet wide can support small statured trees, while boulevards wider than 8 feet are suitable for medium to large-growing trees. There is a Boulevard Tree Planting program to help New Rockford residents with the selection, care and purchase of appropriate trees – stop by City Hall for details, or see the city website for more information.

 When replanting on personal property, there are additional considerations. Always envision and consider the mature size of the tree. Learn about existing power and utility lines. To confirm locations, contact ND One Call (www.ndonecall.com) before doing any digging. Does your property have an underground irrigation system? Keep enough distance between the new tree, the house and other surrounding buildings and structures.

 While spring is the traditional time for tree planting in North Dakota, containerized trees purchased from a reputable nursery can be planted any time throughout the growing season. To avoid additional stress on newly planted trees, do not plant during the hottest weeks of the summer. Trees are an investment, whether on public property or your own. Make a commitment to choose the right tree for the right place, plant it correctly, and maintain it by mulching and watering for at least the first few years of establishment in the landscape. Landscaping that includes healthy mature trees can add up to 20 percent to the value of a property.

 Recent tree inventory data reveals that nearly half of the trees located along New Rockford’s streets (“street trees”) are green ash. Most other communities in North Dakota boast the same staggering statistic. Green ash is a hardy native tree that grows almost anywhere throughout the Great Plains. Consequently, we have relied on this tree and we have over-planted green ash. Do not plant any more ash!

Emerald ash borer (EAB), the latest invasive pest to threaten trees in North Dakota, is poised to enter the state. EAB is confirmed in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, in Winnipeg – less than 100 miles from our state border - and most recently, in Sioux Falls, S.D.Once EAB becomes established, the pest is unstoppable. It has killed millions of ash trees in more than 30 states. Absolutely avoid transporting firewood (use a local source), as infested wood is the most common way to spread the pest. Hosts of EAB include all native species of ash trees. EAB does not attack other species. Don’t plant more ash.

 For small spaces, narrow boulevards and beneath power lines, smaller trees to consider include Japanese tree lilac, ‘Copper Curls’ Pekin lilac, Amur maackia, ‘Snowbird’ hawthorn, Amur chokecherry and various flowering crabapples. These trees bloom in the spring and only grow 12-25 feet tall. Amur maple and ‘Hot Wings’ Tatarian maple are small-statured trees that provide vibrant fall color.

 Medium-sized trees grow 25 to 45 feet tall. Selections include Northern Tribute’ river birch, littleleaf linden, ‘Autumn Splendor’ Ohio buckeye, ironwood, Manchurian alder and ‘Northern Acclaim’ honey locust. Expansive back yards, parks and wide boulevards provide more growing space needed for larger-statured trees, including bur oak, ‘Prairie Expedition’ American elm (yes, it is Dutch elm disease-resistant), black walnut, ‘Northern Flare’ sugar maple, Kentucky coffeetree, hackberry and American linden.

 The keys to tree selection for North Dakota include hardiness and disease tolerance. Please, do some homework. Just because a retailer offers a tree for sale is not assurance that the tree is suitable for the cold winters, hot summers and alkaline soils that trees in our state must tolerate. The NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program has evaluated trees for decades and continues to be a strong program, with more than 50 superior introductions – including some of the trees suggested in this article. With luck, you can find an NDSU selection in your quest for the perfect tree. For a more complete listing of Tree Selections for North Dakota or to view some of these trees at the arboretum at Carrington Research Extension Center, contact [email protected].

 We’ll end this week with a quote from Lucy Larcome: “He who plants a tree plants a hope.”

 Next in the series: The Simple Act of Planting a Tree.