WCA May Meeting (05/28/02)

Board Members: Don Gross, Jim Finley, Ellen Jones, Dede O'Donnell, Jim Toronto; 26 WCA neighbors

Guest Speakers: Joann Hutton/Deanna Rhodeside

Items Distributed: (1) Meeting agenda, (2) Numerous handouts on horticulture especially related to trees, (3) Material on the Minor Hill/Sharp Park land use study, (4) Information on the resolution on Neighborhood Conservation funding, (5) WCA proposed priorities for the upcoming year, (6) WCA accomplishments for the prior year

The meeting started at 7:35 p.m.

Program: Maintaining Mature Trees in North Arlington

The two presenters are tree stewards for the local area. Tree stewards are expected to pay attention to tree and forestry issues. Their services are provided through the Extension Service. Specifically, they are available to discuss ways to maintain trees, pests that attack trees and much more. For reference, the VA Tech research page is an excellent resource on the worldwide web.

In order to help maintain trees, you first need to understand how about trees and how they grow.

Roots

• Anchor the tree
• Provide the system that allows the tree to survive

Most trees fail because of root damage or disease:

• Excessive fill and compacted soil
• Severed roots by any number of actions

Other facts

• Most trees have a taproot.
• 80% of all trees roots are in the upper 12 to 36 inches of the ground.
• The human foot compacts more soil than a tank or tractor.

Factors that affect tree growth:

• Water
• Air
• Soil temperature
• Soil structure
• Ph
• Nutrients in the soil

Some good horticultural practices:

• Test your soil.
• Select the right tree for the area you are planting.
• Choose the right planting time.
• Water adequately.
• Fertilize.
• Monitor for pests

What about mulch?

• Mulch helps the soil retain moisture.
• Mulch helps reduce weeds.
• Mulch reduces the damage caused by mowers and trimmers.
• Mulch acts as a buffer against weather

How to apply mulch:

• Shallow broad layers are recommended.
• Use up to two inches of fine mulch or two to four inches for denser mulch.
• Don't pile mulch against tree trunks.
• Bring the mulch out potentially as far as the canopy

Facts about watering:

• Watering is the biggest cause of tree failure (either too much or too little).
• Guideline is one inch of water for every seven to 10 days

Facts about fertilizing:

• Fertilizing makes nutrients available for the tree
• May use more for newer, younger trees but it is always effective.
• After the first year, fertilize as the tree needs it.
• Be careful about what you use as a fertilizer, e.g., grass fertilizers can soak into the soil and may be harmful for the tree.
• Most effective method for fertilizing is surface, broadcast.

Facts about pruning:

• Do it judiciously.
• Know where to cut and when to cut.
• Prune out diseased or damaged branches.
• Use clean tools.
• Do not paint the tree after cuts are made.
• Do not top trees.
• Use a three-cut approach

What else can kill trees?

• Root damage or strangulation
• Invasive vines
• Disease (e.g., Dogwood anthacnose)
• Pests (e.g., Gypsy moth, Eastern tent catepillar)

What are signs of root problems?

• Crown die back
• Epicormic shoots
• Leaves too small and/or yellow
• Girdling roots

Final Tips
Remember to plant high
Avoid excessive mulching
Test the soil
Avoid excavation and trenching

Several questions were asked during the presentation.

Q. There are planned tree plantings along Williamsburg Boulevard. Based on what you discussed with respect to roots, are there potential issues for the plan?
A. The trees may not grow to full size if the roots are constrained but this was probably taken into consideration by the County when the plan was prepared and appropriate trees selected.

Q. What can you do about the utility department cutting your trees back?
A. There isn't much you can do. They have to keep the trees away from the wires. You may be able to talk with them and convince them to prune.

Q. Do the utility workers have the right to cut trees on private property?
A. Yes, they do. The County owns more of the property than you, the homeowner, thinks.

Q. Does a woodpecker do damage to trees?
A. I've never heard of a tree being killed by a woodpecker. The woodpecker is going after the insects that are in the trees. The insects in the trees are generally what cause the tree to die.

Q. Is there anything that can be done to help a Dogwood with anthracnose?
A. Anthracnose can be treated by spraying but the treatments can be costly.

Business Meeting

The first item of business was the election of officers. Ellen read the slate of nominations. The nominations were confirmed and accepted. The voting resulted in the following officers being elected:

• President, Ellen Jones
• Vice President, Don Gross
• Treasurer, Jim Toronto
• Recording Secretary, Dede O'Donnell
• Corresponding Secretary, Jim Finley

Ellen informed the attendees the July program meeting was open and asked for suggestions to be raised or forwarded to her.

The next item of business was the funding issue for the Neighborhood Conservation program. The funding is well short of what is needed for the number of associations, which has increased over the years, and the number of projects, which also have increased. The bond of $6m is not nearly enough. Ellen encouraged citizens to write to the Board. Also, she put forth a resolution on funding which was approved.

Several projects were mentioned as follows:

• The Little Falls projects would be updated at the next meeting.
• The Williamsburg Circle planting project was started but not completed and planting might have to be delayed to the fall.
• WCA did not have an update on the Nottingham School construction project.
• The Minor Hill/Sharp Park land use study was reviewed in detail. A map with recommendations was provided. The task force wanted to ensure the existing green space and tree canopy were left alone to help protect the neighborhood from more monopole solicitation. The biggest opponent to the activity is the Public Works department. The department's preference is for the space to remain a passive area not active. To questions about the tot lot, the study could not support a tot lot. There was just not enough space to accommodate it
• There was a short discussion about the tree in the island at Little Falls Road and Yorktown Boulevard. The citizens want to be sure to protect and preserve the tree.

The new flag will be raised on the new flagpole during a ceremony planned for Flag Day with Joe Donahoe. Steve Taub agreed to put out signs for the ceremony.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.