Fall is the Best Time of Year for Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Many Other Perennial Plants

Now is a great time to plant natives in your garden!!

Oregon Sunshine - Eriophyllum lanatum.

Native plants will provide beauty for your garden as well as food for native insects and birds. Planting trees and shrubs when they are dormant reduces stress and allows roots to become established. Plan to plant at least 6 weeks prior to the expected first frost.

Red-flowering Currant - Ribes sanguineum.

Many native seeds require periods of cool moist temperature for weeks to months before germinating. The easiest way to provide this is to plant seeds in the fall and allow nature to provide the needed conditions. Seeds will germinate when the conditions of dormancy are met and temperatures warm in the spring. Seed vendors can tell you the conditions required for germinating the seeds you choose.

Bleeding Heart - Dicentra formosa.

Check with local nurseries to select plants and seeds appropriate for the conditions in your garden. Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry CBUF https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/bc-cbufdac

Celebrate Pollinator Week

 

Free Street Trees from Parks and Recreation

 

Link to contact Jennifer:  Jennifer.Killian@corvallisoregon.gov

Beautiful Bulbouts

            

What’s a bulbout?

You’ve seen them all over Corvallis, but the name may be new to you. Bulbouts act as traffic calming devices, they improve pedestrian safety, and they provide an opportunity to increase downtown green space.
Many of the bulbouts in Corvallis are managed by Parks & Recreation staff and volunteers. They handle seasonal maintenance such as pruning, weeding, irrigation, and other routine tasks. And now, through the work of CBUF volunteers, many of our bulbouts are in line for major improvements like the ones you see in the above photo of the bulbout at 2nd and Washington. Over the next few years you can expect to see more great upgrades to these valuable community assets.
You can help too, by volunteering for planting days, or by becoming a Bulbout Buddy – helping to care for existing bulbout plantings (the hard-working staff at Parks & Recreation can always use a helping hand).
For more information, please contact: Parks Operation Division 541-766-6435

Appropriate Tree Selection

Finding an appropriate tree depends on two factors: why and where

Why?

It is important to consider why we are planting a tree before we select what tree we want.  We plant trees for many different reasons, and usually a combination of different reasons! Some reasons are:

●     To provide more shade

●     To give structure to a planting design

●     To act as a windbreak

●     For spring and/or fall color

 There are many good sources that can help with tree selection!

●      OSU Ask an Expert: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-expert

●      Selecting, Planting, and Caring for a New Tree: free at https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1438

 

Where?

Where do you want to plant the tree?

●     Close to sidewalk/drive?

●     Close to house?

●     Under power lines?

●     Close to other trees/plants?

●     Far away from any other trees/plants?

For example, if you want a tree that’s under a power line that gives seasonal color...you’ll want either a dwarf flowering tree or a very short maple like many Japanese maples.  Or, if you want a tree that provides a windbreak and is far away from other plants, you may want to consider an evergreen shrub like an Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) or a tree like Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata).  If it will be near hard surfaces, think about fruit or other debris it might drop throughout the year.  

 See this link for help selecting, planting, and caring for a new tree. Note: We no longer recommend Raywood Ash or any other ash tree as the emerald ash borer is likely to be a big problem.

Become a Neighborhood Tree Steward

If you have a love and fascination for trees and a devotion to making positive changes in your community, you may be interested in being a Neighborhood Tree Steward through Corvallis Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry

WHAT YOU NEED
• Love for trees and community
• Attend Neighborhood Tree Steward Training
• Dedicate a few flexible hours each week to various
tasks with guidance from parks staff
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
• Cool Neighborhood Tree Steward gear
• Excellent training and leadership opportunities
• A chance to get to know the trees and people in your
neighborhood
• End of season celebration to thank you for all of your hard work!

JOIN US AT OUR NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD TREE STEWARD WORKSHOP
Saturday October 19th
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tunison Community Room • 365 SW Tunison
Space is limited. Please contact Jennifer by Friday October 11th to RSVP. Back up date available. Please include t-shirt size with RSVP.
POTENTIAL DUTIES
• Help with community tree planting events • Tree care including weeding, watering, and
mulching young street trees
• Find places to plant trees
• Inspect newly planted trees
• Increase public awareness of the value of
trees in the community
• Work with parks staff to address problems
Community Building Through Urban Forestry

Jennifer.Killian@corvallisoregon.gov or (541) 740-3186corvallisoregon.gov/parksrec/page/trees-urban-forestryFollow us on Instagram @corvallis_urban_forestry

Free Yard Trees!

Are you interested in a free yard tree? 

City of Corvallis municipal code limits Urban Forestry staff to planting trees in public right of ways, parks, and natural areas. Some right of ways, however, can’t support trees due to conflicts with existing infrastructure or too small of a right of way (under 4 feet wide). In an effort to expand the urban canopy in Corvallis, staff are working with the local Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry Advisory group, CBUF to create a new city program to get free trees to homeowners on private property! 

How it works:

1.   CBUF volunteers will do an inspection of your right of way to determine your eligibility.

2.   Help you select the most appropriate species for your yard from a curated list .

3.   Order and plant the tree- at no cost to you!

4.   Provide a watering bag, stakes, and deer protection (as needed). 

5.   All you have to do is water it, each summer for the first 3 years. 

6.   CBUF volunteers will provide additional information as needed for establishment care and maintenance. 

For more information, or to sign up, please contact: 

Malcolm Anderson 

Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry Advisory Group- Vice Chair

Malcolm.w.anderson@gmail.com

541-760-4551

or

Jennifer Killian

Urban Forestry and Natural Areas Specialist

Jennifer.killian@corvallisoregon.gov

541-740-3186

Summer Tree Needs

Water!

Establishment watering is one of the most important things you can do for a newly planted tree. That water should be delivered weekly and in a large volume, rather than daily in a light sprinkle. Deep watering helps trees develop deep drought resistant roots. Water trees with at least 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter. The easiest way is to purchase a watering bag from a local nursery. These hold between 15 and 20 gallons. 

Watering formula

Tree diameter (inches) × 10= number of gallons per week. So, a 1 inch caliper tree needs a minimum of 10 gallons of water, weekly throughout the summer (from May-September). 

Mulch!

This is a great time of year to spread mulch. Get out there now and add a few inches in a circle that extends out to the drip-line of your tree. Mulch should not touch the trunk or surface roots as this can lead to decay. Keep mulch 3-4” deep starting 6” from the tree. Mulch helps reduce weeds, moderates soil temperature, helps keep soil moist and reduces compaction. 

https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/dont-kill-your-trees-make-sure-you-are-mulching-them-the-right-way

Summer Tree Needs

Water!

Don’t let this rain fool you, trees still need water this week! Establishment watering is one of the most important things you can do for a newly planted tree. That water should be delivered weekly and in a large volume, rather than daily in a light sprinkle. Deep watering helps trees develop deep drought resistant roots. Water trees with at least 10 gallons per inch of tree diameter. The easiest way is to purchase a watering bag from a local nursery. These hold between 15 and 20 gallons. 

Watering formula

Tree diameter (inches) × 10= number of gallons per week. So, a 1 inch caliper tree needs a minimum of 10 gallons of water, weekly throughout the summer (from May-September). 

Mulch!

This is a great time of year to spread mulch. Get out there now and add a few inches in a circle that extends out to the drip-line of your tree. Mulch should not touch the trunk or surface roots as this can lead to decay. Keep mulch 3-4” deep starting 6” from the tree. Mulch helps reduce weeds, moderates soil temperature, helps keep soil moist and reduces compaction. 

For more about mulching click the link below.

 https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/dont-kill-your-trees-make-sure-you-are-mulching-them-the-right-way

Provide for Pollinators

-    In May, it’s easy to have a garden that is fluttering, crawling, and buzzing with pollinators. So many plants are in bloom, there’s something for everyone. 

Tiger swallowtail on Verbena bonariensis, a non-native plant that can attract native pollinators.

-    Pollinators, especially native insects, also need flowers early and late in the year. Think ahead and plant Asters (Symphyotrichum subspicatum – Douglas aster – is a lovely native) and Goldenrod (Solidago) for a long-blooming autumn pollinator magnet. 

Native bumblebee on Solidago canadensis.

-    For early spring bloom, tuck in lots of Crocuses, and plant early-blooming native shrubs such as Oregon grape (Mahonia–
now Berberis) and Kinnikinnick.

See our blog for more – npkpost.blogspot.com

What else besides flowers?

Pollinators also need water, food for their larvae, and nesting and over-wintering sites. With a little knowledge and forethought, your garden can provide these necessities too.

-     Water:bird bath, pond with shallow areas, dripping faucet.

Lorquin’s Admiral on birdbath.

-     Larval host plants:Native plants that provide food for native butterfly and moth caterpillars. Be prepared for some chewed leaves!

-     Nesting and Over-wintering Sites:Bare undisturbed soil for ground-nesting bees. Un-cut tall grasses. Plants with hollow stems. Nest blocks for mason bees.

See these links for more information:

PolliNation. Podcast on all things pollinator, by Andony Melathopoulos, OSU’s Pollinator Health Extension specialist, and an array of guests.

https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/rmvht-53aa3/PolliNation+%7C+A+Pollinator+Health+Podcast

Join the Pollinator Partnership at https://www.pollinator.org/

Here’s a short list of great pollinator plants for western Oregon gardens:https://expo.oregonlive.com/erry-2018/05/427bc00a688157/25_plants_guaranteed_to_attrac.html

CBUF will be at the Spring Festival on May 5th

INTERESTED IN CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION AND URBAN FORESTRY?

CBUF, the Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry Advisory Committee to the Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department, will have a table at the Spring Garden Festival, to be held on Sunday, May 5 at the Arts Center Plaza in Central Park.

CBUF and the Parks & Recreation Department help the community in many ways. Here are some of them:

·     Heritage Tree Program

·     Riverfront Park & downtown planter bed improvements

·     Central Park Plantings

·     Arbor Week & Tree City USA

·     Beauty Grows Here awards

·     NPK posting kiosks

·     Public education

CBUF Beauty Grows Here Awards

Do you have a beautiful yard in your neighborhood?  Help CBUF recognize our neighbors for their outstanding landscaping.  Nomination forms can be picked up at the Parks and Recreation Office in Avery Park.

Award forms can also be found at www.corvallisoregon.gov/bc-cbufdac

Garden Guides now Available! Plus seed starting ideas.

Get your new Garden Resource Guide

The latest edition of the guide is available at the 12 noon Tuesday Gearing up for Gardening         Master Gardener events at the Corvallis-Benton County Library on February 12, 19, and 26; 

at Garden Spaces Sustainable Landscapes; Town & Country Realty; Garland Nursey; and Susan’s Garden and Coffee Shop. Stop in and get one today.  

                                                                                                                              

Make a Fresh Start

A favorite pastime when the snowflakes flew in the Midwest was looking through seed catalogs and planning a beautiful spring garden. 

With the possibility of snow forecast for this week in Corvallis, perhaps it is time to not only dream of spring, but also to start some seeds, an economical way to get a jump on the season.

         

Gather your seeds and, using some recycled materials you may have on hand, start your early greens in a sterile seed-starting soil mix.  Put a heating mat under the tray of containers and some kind of light over the tray to give your plants a good warm start in life. 

Check this pdf for planting dates.  We're in Region 2 on the chart. https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/v979v342w

Corvallis Sustainability Coalition

Food Action Team   Edible Garden Group

Corvallis Neighborhood Tree Steward Opportunity

CBUF's Guide to Hiring Tree Work

Checklist for having tree work completed:

1: Hire a Licensed Contractor: 

Make sure your tree care company is licensed and bonded. Tree care companies, like other contractors, in Oregon are required to be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). You can check the status of any contractor at their website www.oregon.gov/ccb. The CCB ensures that contractors carry sufficient liability insurance and bond in addition to providing mediation between clients and contractors and requiring continuing education for license renewal. 

2: Hire a Certified Arborist:

 While not required by law for residential tree work in the U.S. it can be a good idea to look for a tree care company that also has one or more certified arborists on staff. According the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) outreach website TreesAreGood.org:

“An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. ISA arborist certification is a nongovernmental, voluntary process by which individuals can document their base of knowledge. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.”

3: Find someone you like:

Arboriculture is a unique field that involves the proper blend of experience, artistic vision, and athleticism/agility. Different arborists like different people will approach the work based on varied life experiences and values. For example, a former lineman might have a more production-oriented approach to tree work when compared to someone with a horticultural or botanical background. While some tree work is fairly clear cut a lot of it involves a fine balance between aesthetic concerns and the preservation or enhancement of tree health. Finding someone who shares your values will greatly improve your experience and ensure that your vision will be fulfilled. To accomplish this, take a little time checking out your arborist’s website, independent review sites and if getting multiple estimates make sure everyone is bidding on the same amount of work. If one person is significantly cheaper make sure it’s not because they are cutting corners. Finally, be patient, with the affects of climate change and new disease outbreaks on our local trees and forests most qualified arborists are struggling to keep up with demand. Plan ahead or expect to wait as much a couple months when scheduling non-emergency work. 

Editor's note:  Remember that it is not always in the contractor's best interest to save a tree.  Get at least one other opinion if they tell you it has to be removed.