My Minnesota Woods - Discussion Board

White spruce gall ID

Vince C. — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:49:45 GMT

This spruce tree problem was brought into the office this afternoon.  The problem was not seen last fall but the folks did say the tree looked droopy and they did fertilized the tree to try and help it. From the attached pictures can you id what the problem is and what to use to solve the problem?  

Vince

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Woodland weed identification help

Dennis M — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:42:18 GMT

I need help identifying these weeds. Can anyone tell me what they are?

These have been growing in a wooded area that I have cleared of the brush growing there. Had mature trees on the lot. Near the river however does not flood.

Thanks for taking a look at them. Dennis

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Pruning Ash in spring

Patrick T. Murphy — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:18:23 GMT

Need I be concerned about pruning ash trees at this time? Early May in central MN.

SFIA benefit if taxes high

Dan — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:11:44 GMT

I currently have land enrolled in SFIA since 2003 and have recently purchased an adjoining 40 acre parcel. The taxes on this new parcel are much higher than the others at over $20/ acre.

Is anyone aware of the current legislative proposals or other programs that may benefit higher taxed parcels more than the SFIA, or should I just go ahead and add the new parcel to the program ? Thanks for any ideas.

Tree damage by beaver.

Scott — Thur, 01 May 2008 14:26:19 GMT

What is the appropriate action to take when a tree on your property has suffered severe beaver damage?

Thanks,
Scott

Conservation Easement Transfer?

ABH — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:48:10 GMT

If a land trust is unable to maintain a conservation easement, can the land trust transfer the easement to another land trust?

Windthrow White Pine, damaged red oak

Pete Fetzek — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:37:58 GMT

Hi--
The last big wind we had blew down a very nice, but lightning damaged, wite pine, about 22" DBH. It looks like I can get 2 or 3 nice bolts from it. I've heard that boring-type insects move into a pine log very quickly. If this is true, how long do I have before this happens? Is there a way to treat the log to prevent or slow this down?
thanks,
pete

Controlling wild raspberries and brush

Marianne — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:51:17 GMT

We bought our 13 acres of dense hardwoods 10 years ago- so thick it was dark. We had it thinned. The next summer we were completely stripped by army worms and then again the next summer. Add in the drought and the oak pests. We lost ALL our tall, beautiful oak trees. We had them all removed and now we are left with many areas that have no trees. The woods are so dense with thistle, wild raspberries and other brush that I can't even walk through them.

I have been working to kill back the undergrowth and cut down unwanted trees. How can I do this most effectively and without promoting regrowth? I don't want something like a brush hog that would kill the new trees.

We have some young oak coming up-- but mostly maple, basswood and poplar.

Herbicides and similar materials - Small quantities

John O'Reilly — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:00:45 GMT

On behalf of a MN Forestry Assn. member, I post the following suggestion for comment:

"I would like to see more attention to small landowners. For example, if a presenter is recommending a herbicide, e.g. Transline or Garlon, that can only be purchased in bulk, what is the rough equivalent at Menard's or Home Depot or should one use a service, e.g. Prairie Restorations?"

MyMinnesotaWoods is a year old!

Eli Sagor — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:46:52 GMT

It's hard to believe, but MyMinnesotaWoods.org is one year old!

To celebrate, we're working on some new features that will make the site more interactive. Starting next month, you'll see more opportunities to share what you've learned in the Minnesota woods.

Feel like giving us a birthday present? We'd love to hear from you: how has this site made a difference for you in the past year? How should we make it better?

To reply, click "Reply: Add your thoughts" at the top or bottom of this page.

Thanks for your continued interest and support!
-eli

Eli Sagor
University of Minnesota Extension

Maple syrup + septics

Laurie Brown — Thur, 27 Mar 2008 14:46:07 GMT

Are there any risks in making maple syrup from sap that comes from trees growing over/near a septic system? The concern being concentrated heavy metals and micronutrients.

Holes in spruce trees

Kris — Thur, 13 Mar 2008 15:40:30 GMT

I just noticed yesterday that some thing is burrowing holes in two of our spruce trees. The holes are about as big around as an orange and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. the holes are anywhere from 2 to 4 feet off the ground. Any ideas of what kind of animal or bird would be doing this? Also, would it be a good idea to fill the holes and what should we fill them with?

Keeping land together

Quintin Legler — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:11:16 GMT

I have someone who asked me how they could keep their farm & woodlands as one piece of property after they are gone. They have no children of their own or nieces or nephews so won't be handing it down to anyone.

Switchgrass

Butch Ryan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:53:15 GMT

Does anyone know why switchgrass is talked about for ethanol production rather than the other tall native grasses such as indian grass or big bluestem?

Jack Pine I&D?

Jason — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:04:25 GMT

I have a number of 6 ft tall jack pine that have been planted with red pine along a south facing slope on somewhat sandy loam soil. The jack pine appear to have some kind of defoliation on the needles (at lease some on all the jack pine), but none on the red pine that are growing next to them.
The symptoms are: needles that have been defoliated, not all the way to the branch, and has a grayish dark tip. There are no signs of needle cast or fruiting bodies (black spots) on the needles. This was identified to me this last fall and there were no insects that were present and I did not see any sacs or egg masses etc. I have checked many insect and disease sites and books for this and can not pin this down. Please help, I do not want to lose any of these jack pine. Thank you