Autumn Tree Care Experts Newsletter
FALL 2006: PDF VERSION (2 MB)

IN THIS ISSUE:


WORKING WITH NATURE: Raking in the Benefits

Autumn is an incredible season: few would argue the sentiment. Gold, bronze, and scarlet foliage paint the sky with a slow-motion fireworks display that marks the end of the growing year.

The leaves are amazing while they're on the trees — but what do you do when the leaves fall and cover your lawn? Many start by cursing. Although cathartic, that approach doesn't help much.

The savvy gardener takes a deep breath of crisp autumn air and sighs with delight, knowing that (with a little time and effort) the beauty that was once on the trees can create beauty in the garden. Ah, yes: compost.

A Lesson From Nature
Trees like to live in a forest — the statement sounds silly, but it's worth a thought. One major factor that contributes to their preference is the condition of the soil.

No one rakes the leaves in the forest. Instead, the leaves fall to the ground where they — and other decomposing organic materials — enrich the soil. When this natural composting process is replicated in the urban landscape, the same results occur: improved soil structure, texture, aeration and nutrient content. Compost also helps to prevent soil erosion, increases soil fertility, improves pH balance, and encourages the development of "feeder" roots.

With this many benefits, why aren't you composting already?

Getting Started
Composting your yard's leaves and other organic materials is easier than you'd think.

The tools are simple — you'll need a compost bin, a rake, a pitchfork, a garden hose, and a wheelbarrow. Chances are good that you already have everything you need with the exception of a compost bin.

You can create your own compost bin or select one of the countless varieties that are commercially produced (keep in mind that compost is easier to turn in larger bins). Whichever bin you choose, select a location in your garden where the bin will be in direct contact with the soil: this will assist with drainage and enable worms and other organisms to enter the compost bin to speed the process of decomposition.

Making the Magic
With your compost bin in place, you're ready to make black magic. There are countless ways to make compost — every authority seems to have its own method with varying degrees of complexity — however there are really only a few instructions to keep in mind.

Compost is created by layering two types of materials into the bin: "brown" matter and "green" matter. Brown matter (e.g., leaves, straw, woody materials) provides carbon. Green matter (e.g., grass and food scraps) provides nitrogen. When filling your compost bin, add brown and green matter in loose layers that are 4 to 6 inches deep. After stacking on a new layer, moisten the layer with water and cover it with a loose layer of soil.

Be sure to water the compost occasionally so it does not dry out (just don't get carried away: a soggy compost bin isn't good, either). It is also important to keep the pile loose and aerated by turning or stirring the pile approximately every 5 days.

The rest of the process is handled by Mother Nature's helpers. Invertebrates such as mites, millipedes, earthworms, and snails assist the process of decomposition. So do microbes, which "cook" the compost at temperatures that range from 90 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures destroy weed seeds, insect larvae, and potentially harmful bacteria.

Spreading the Wealth
You'll know that Mother Nature has done her job when your bin is filled with black, crumbly compost (the process usually takes about 6 weeks or more). Then it's time to spread the wealth.

Sifted compost can be used as a top-dressing for the lawn, as an additive to outdoor potting-mixes, or as an amendment to the garden soil around your trees and other plantings. Although compost is usually too rich to be used as a soil by itself, when 25% of the soil's volume is comprised of compost, the results are noticeable.

For complete information about creating compost in your backyard, visit www.compostguide.com.

Although it doesn't exactly look pretty in the bin, compost has an inner beauty that will reveal itself in your landscape's trees and shrubs. This season, begin a compost pile with the remnants of your trees' autumnal display; then spread the joy next spring. Your plantings are sure to respond with a display that will rival fall's finest fireworks.

THE GOOD STUFF
Composting has a beneficial effect on your landscape – it also has a positive impact on our landfills. The EPA has recorded that organics like yard trimmings (12.2%) and food scraps (11.4%) account for nearly a quarter of the municipal solid waste generated each year in the United States. Keep that waste out of the landfill by adding the following materials to your compost bin:

Lawn and Garden Waste:
  • Leaves and twigs
  • Grass clippings
  • Spent flowers
  • Bark and other material
NOTE: Large branches must be shredded. Avoid using seeds or diseased plants.

Kitchen Waste:
  • Fruit and vegetable scraps and peels
  • Coffee grounds and tea leaves
  • Egg shells
  • Bread scraps
NOTE: Do not include bones, meat, fish or fats: they attract vermin. Avoid garlic, onions, or dairy products: they discourage worms.

Other Materials:
  • Wood ash
  • Cotton rags
  • Vacuum cleaner dust
  • Torn-up newspapers
  • Hair and wool


ASK AN ARBORIST: Mycorr-what-zal?

So your arborist recommended that your trees should be fertilized. That sounded simple enough — fertilizer is a good thing; everyone knows that. You even received information from our office with details about ATCE's fertilization application. Great! As you read the description, you were doing well until you got to the words "mycorrhizal fungi."

Mycorr-what-zal fungi? That doesn't sound like something you want injected into the soil surrounding your tree.

Believe it or not, mycorrhizal fungi are good. They are a group of fungi that develop a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with plant roots. Of course the relationship is a bit more complicated.

We All Have Needs...
Your tree needs moisture and nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi need carbohydrates. In this particular relationship, everyone gets what they want.

Mycorrhizal fungi serve as a sort of extension of your tree's root system. The fungi grow into or between the cells of your tree's roots and send out long, thread-like structures called hyphae. The hyphae gather nutrients and moisture, which are consumed by the fungi and by your tree.

In exchange for the moisture and nutrients it gathers from the fungi, your tree shares with the fungi approximately 10% of the carbohydrates it sends from its leaves to its roots. Because mycorrhizal fungi lack the chlorophyll necessary to create carbohydrates, the relationship is essential to the mycorrhizae's development. At times, the mycorrhizae are essential to your tree's development, too.

A Working Relationship
The support offered by mycorrhizae is able to help your tree through tough times. During drought conditions, mycorrhizal fungi are able to find precious moisture. When essential nutrients (such as phosphorus, zinc, or copper) are scarce and growing conditions harsh (if not impossible), the fungi make it possible for a tree to survive. The word "codependent" comes to mind.

In this particular situation, a codependent relationship isn't so bad. In a healthy relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, your tree will have the equivalent of 10x more roots than a tree growing without the fungi. As a result, trees in relationship with mycorrhizae are reported to be strikingly vigorous and are more resistant to attacks by insects and diseases. It's time to take this relationship to the next level.

Making It Happen
Fortunately, arranging a relationship between your tree and the nice mycorrhizae down the block is easier than saying "mycorrhizal fungi." You just need to call your ATCE arborist and schedule a fertilization or biostimulant application — the fungi is applied as a part of both of these services.

For additional information about our fertilization and biostimulant services, contact your ATCE arborist at 847.729.1963.


UPDATE: Emerald Ash Borer

In the summer issue of "Branching Out," we announced that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in Illinois near Lily Lake in Kane County. Since that time, new infestations were found, quarantine zones were established, and eradication plans were made. Here's an update of the pest's progress:

June 9, 2006: The presence of the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered near Lily Lake in Kane County. This was the first confirmed sighting of the insect in Illinois. A survey of surrounding ash trees was performed to determine the extent of the infestation.

July 13, 2006: A second EAB infestation was discovered in Wilmette. A survey of the surrounding area began.

July 19, 2006: The EAB was declared a nuisance by the State of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) established a quarantine zone in Kane County that encompasses property within a 3.5 mile radius of the initial detection site near Lily Lake.

July 21, 2006: Evidence of EAB was discovered in Evanston — the third detection site in Illinois.

September 1, 2006: An EAB infestation was confirmed in Winnetka — the fourth detection site in Illinois.

September 15, 2006: In Kane County, a Management and Science Advisory Panel appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich recommended the removal of all ash trees within approximately 2 miles of the original infestation site. More than 2,800 ash trees (including 1,700 trees on private property and public rights of way) are slated to be removed.

For More Information
Visit the Autumn Tree Care Experts web site: www.autumntree.com/services/alert.html.

Additional information — including details regarding quarantine zones and eradication efforts — is available at www.emeraldashborer.info, or by telephoning the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline: 800.641.3934.
COMPANY NEWS: ATCE Online

On September 22, ATCE posted its new (and improved) web site: www.autumntree.com. Take a look!

The new web site features information about the Emerald Ash Borer, details about our services, and maps of our service areas; you can also find our newsletters, press releases, and a list of upcoming events; there are even photos of our lovely, smiling faces.

Take a look— and tell your friends!


HEY HONEY: Notice Anything New?

At ATCE, we like to think of ourselves as a "green" company. There's always room for improvement, though.

Case in point: when preparing the current issue of "Branching Out" — which discusses simple, practical ways to improve the environment through recycling — it dawned on us that ATCE could do more to help the cause. As a result, we have changed the paper stock on which our newsletter is printed. The new stock is made of 80% post consumer fiber and 20% FSC certified fibers (FSC fibers are derived from responsibly managed forests. More information about FSC is available at www.fsc.org).

Every little bit helps!

We did our part, now it's your turn: when you've finished reading this newsletter, don't throw it away. Please recycle!


ATCE EVENTS

Between spending our time sharing arboricultural know-how with tree huggers across Chicagoland and educating the public about the Emerald Ash Borer (not to mention providing your trees with a bit of TLC), life has been a frenzy here at ATCE. Gotta admit, we love every minute of it!

Volunteer Projects
August 19 – 20: ATCE arborists Mike Provost and Stan Holat were on-hand at the Chicago Botanic Garden to host an “Ask an Arborist” booth during the 29th annual Midwest Bonsai Society Show & Sale.

September 30 – October 1: ATCE presented another “Ask an Arborist” booth at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This time, arborists Mike Provost and Derek Mercer answered arboricultural queries while munching on kettle corn at the Garden’s Bluegrass Festival.

Special Projects
July 31: ATCE served as a sponsor of the annual Celebrity Golf Outing to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Despite record-breaking heat, a great time was had by all.

August 5: Arborist Ross Hassinger, Vice President Dan Klindera, and President Matthew Dziedzic served as judges at the annual Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Certification Exam, where candidates demonstrated their aptitude in various landscape tasks to obtain ILCA certification.

September 9: ATCE served as the "Kids Climb Sponsor" at the Illinois Arborist Association's Tree Climbing Competition, which took place at The Morton Arboretum. 27 men and 2 women participated in work climb, aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, secured footlock, and throwline competitions — an impressive display of extreme tree climbing!

October 11: Assistant Operations Manager Jordan Orwig, Arborist Stan Holat, and Vice President Dan Klindera met with urban forestry students at Western Illinois University to discuss practical applications of the students' coursework and career opportunities in the field.

Upcoming Events
February 20, 2007: Mark your calendar now for the annual Autumn Tree Care Experts Seminar for members of the Green Industry. If you ask us, this is the best seminar on the planet...well, at least it's the most entertaining seminar on the planet. What other company could make tree pests and diseases interesting (not to mention fun)? Don't miss it!

If you or someone you know would like an arborist to speak, sing, or dance at your next gathering (we can offer a presentation about Emerald Ash Borer, too!) don’t hesitate to ask: call us at 847.729.1963 or send an email to welovetrees@autumntree.com.


RECIPE BOX: Blackberry-Nectarine Cobbler

Ingredients:
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 large nectarine, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 c. blackberries
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 Tbs. cold, unsalted butter, cut into bits
1/4 c. milk
2 Tbs. sliced almonds

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, stir together sugar and cornstarch. Add fruit and combine well. In another bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; then add butter. Blend mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in milk until dough is just combined. In a buttered 8-inch-square baking dish spread fruit mixture and drop dough onto it in 4 mounds. Sprinkle almonds over cobbler and bake in middle of oven 20 minutes, or until top is golden.

Serves 2.


RESEARCH DEPARTMENT:

Please take your trees out of the landfill.

If you don't recycle already, it is time to start. Composting is a good way to begin the habit. Another simple way to help the environment is to recycle your newspaper.

Consider this: today, over 62 million newspapers will be printed in the U.S. Tomorrow, 44 million of those newspapers will be thrown in the trash. What do all of those newspapers add up to? By the end of the week, the equivalent of 500,000 trees will be dumped into landfills. Wow!