U RBAN   T REE   T ALK
SUMMER 2018 - In This Issue:
The 2018 AZ Arbor Day Celebration was held on the Capitol grounds on April 18th. Photo by Jacqueline Hanna.  
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 14: Urban Forestry and Community Health, 6pm-8pm, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson

June 17-21: Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix

June 27: Greywater Workshop, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Desert Botanical Garden,  Phoenix

July 21: Pruning Trees and Shrubs, 2pm-4pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

July 28: Trees Matter Tree Workshop, 8am-12pm, Desert Vista High School, Phoenix

August 10: Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education (SHADE), 8am, J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Phoenix

August 10:  Splicing Workshop, Time and location TBD

August 12: Backyard Orchard Class, 2pm-4pm, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

August 18: Trees Matter Tree Workshop, 8am-12pm, McKlintock High School, Tempe

Sept 14-15: ACTC Annual Conference & Pest Management WorkshopPrescott Resort & Conference Center, Prescott

Sept 15: ISA Certified Arborist Exam, 7:30a-12:30pm, Prescott Resort & Conference Center, Prescott

Oct 12:  Tree Pruning Workshop in Spanish  and English, Yuma

Nov 9: Tree Workers Workshop, 6:45am-3pm, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Chandler

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
Request for Applications 
Deadline June 29, 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access. Find more information here
Maricopa County Regional Open Space Strategy 
The Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA) has created the Maricopa County Regional Open Space Strategy (ROSS). The ROSS is a major planning effort for regional open space conservation that has the potential to impact every resident and visitor of the County and that will eventually serve as an example of how other Arizona counties can address the preservation of different types of open space and provide appropriate access to open space areas.

The ROSS envisions a connected open space system that promotes stewardship of open space with sustainable natural resource practices; connects people with nature; develops champions and advocates for the Sonoran Desert, and creates regional mechanisms to support implementation of regional objectives. 

As part of this effort, CAZCA also coordinates regional research and summarizes its findings to inform decision-making. 

If you or your organization is in any way interested in getting involved, please contact Stacie Beute

If you'd like to dig deeper into the habitats and water resources most valuable for conservation in our region, click here
FEEDBACK?
What do you think of our newsletter? How are we doing? We would love to hear what you think.
 
CONTACT US
Office of the State Forester
1110 West Washington, Suite 100
Phoenix , Arizona 85007-2935
Phone: 602-771-1400

Northern District  
3650 Lake Mary Rd.
Flagstaff , AZ 86001
Phone: 928-774-1425
 
Northeast District  
2922 West White Mtn Blvd.
Lakeside, AZ 85929
928-537-8081

Northwest District
1133 West Road 3 North
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
928-778-9567

Central District
2901 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Phoenix , AZ 85027
Phone: 623-445-0274
 
Southeast District
3740 E. 43rd Place
Tucson , AZ 85713
Phone: 520-628-5480
A Minute with the Manager
By John Richardson, Program Manager 
Ann Audrey stands with State Forester Jeff Whitney as she receives the Ponderosa Pine Partnership Award. Photo by Jacqueline Hanna. 
"It's a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do" - Walter Winchell

With temperatures inching towards perfect in higher elevations of Arizona, the rest of the state is preparing for a hot summer. May 6th hit 106 degrees in Phoenix breaking the previous record set in 1947 and while triple digit temps will be all too common, we hope to steal a few cool days back over the next 5 months.

Warm temperatures and lack of precipitation has already led to a busy fire season and the potential for increased bark beetle activity in our woodlands and forests. Our UCF and FH team are working closely with the Region 3 USFS Forest Health Protection Team on early detection and rapid response to any forest health issues we may encounter this summer. We are underway in setting up pheromone traps for the Mediterranean Pine Engraver (not currently known to be in Arizona) in Tucson and Phoenix Metro as well as continuing to monitor for the Aleppo Pine Blight in partnership with over 10 municipalities.

Our State of Arizona Arbor Day Celebration went off without a hitch and I would like to thank the UCF|FH Team and partners for outstanding event planning and coordination. Thank you to the City of Phoenix and SRP who donated two trees that were planted on capitol grounds following the awards ceremony!

Finally, a BIG congratulations to all of our 2018 UCF award winners. They are:
  • Citizen Forester of the Year: Tara Haviland
  • Ironwood Award for Public Service: Bonnie Richardson
  • Palo Verde Award for Urban Forestry Enhancement: Urban Offsets, Inc.
  • Ponderosa Pine Partnership Award: Ann Audrey and the LEAF Network
For a description of these awards, please visit our UCF Recognition Programs webpage.

Have a fun, safe and cool summer!

- John
PREPARING FOR SUMMER, PREPARING FOR DROUGHT
By Jon Orona, Urban Forestry Specialist
Arizona had one of its driest winters on record and trees are showing symptoms of water deprivation. With rain not expected until the start of monsoon season (late-June and early-July), trees throughout the state are in dire need of water. If your trees are looking like they could use a good watering, sooner is better than later. For trees that are irrigated, allow for a long, deep soaking of the soil early in the morning or late at night. This will allow water to penetrate through the soil flushing out built up salts. 

Watering early in the morning or at night will minimize evaporation, allowing the water to get where it needs to be - in the tree. Most importantly, water at the drip line and beyond where watering is most beneficial for the tree. Watering at the drip line will maximize absorption and encourage roots to grow outward into new areas where more nutrients are available in the soil. Adding an organic compost layer of wood chips will also allow the soil to retain moisture, keeping the soil cool and adding organic matter over time.

Doing these few tasks will help keep your tree happy and healthy which will aid in its defenses against drought, disease, and insect damage. Some trees will require more water and overall general maintenance to meet their metabolic needs. It's important to know what species you have and research the specific needs of your tree. In the event your tree doesn't make it through the drought, do not fret, but take advantage of the opportunity to plant a native or drought resilient tree. There are many different options when it comes to selecting a tree and great consideration should be taken in making this decision. 

Please visit our Tree Care and Selection page. If you have specific tree questions, utilize our "Ask an Arborist" tab or send an email directly to UCF@dffm.az.gov and one of our highly trained tree experts will answer your question.
M editerrean Pine Engraver
By Steve McKelvie, Forest Health Specialist
Mediterranean pine engraver, Orthotomicus erosus.
In 2004 a new exotic bark beetle was discovered in baited flight traps in Fresno, California during an annual bark beetle and woodborer survey by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  In addition to the traps, overwintering larvae, pupae, and adults were found in cut logs of Aleppo and Italian Stone pines.   This new bark beetle was identified as the Mediterranean pine engraver, Orthotomicus erosus , a well-documented pest of pines in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China.  

Since its introduction to California, the beetle has spread to other regions of the state and has been found recently in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Potential pine hosts of the Mediterranean pine engraver are Eldarica (Pinus eldarica), Aleppo (P. halepensis), Canary Island (P. carnariensis), Italian stone (P. pinea), and Turkish (P. brutia) pines, which have been widely planted across the Southwest.  The spread of the beetle is thought to be by movement of infested logs, typically firewood, from one region to another.  These beetles infest recently fallen trees, logging debris, branches greater than 2 inches, and stressed trees.  With the current drought situation across the Southwest, pine trees that are not receiving a deep watering at least once a month are stressed and have become potential hosts for these beetles.  The biology of the Mediterranean pine engraver is similar to Ips beetles that are endemic to Arizona, except that the former is adapted to warmer climates.  The male initiates the attack and is later joined by two females, which can lay 26-75 eggs each.  The eggs hatch and feed in the phloem tissue creating a distinctive engraving pattern.  

While the Mediterranean pine engraver has not been found in Arizona or New Mexico yet, Forest Service entomologists are initiating a monitoring program throughout the Southwest as a precaution.  Traps baited with the beetle's attractive pheromones will be placed near locations with Mediterranean pines and checked twice a month.  The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and staff from many municipalities in the Phoenix area are partnering on this project.  The Mediterranean pines planted in the Valley are treasured trees, therefore preventing this new invader from becoming established is a high priority.
TREES TO SEE IN AZ!
By Jon Orona 
We're so excited to showcase our  Magnificent Tree Program. Don't miss an opportunity to check out these cool trees!

Champion Tree
Located at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, "Mr. Big" is under review as the largest Longbeak eucalyptus or Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the nation. The tree measures in at:
  • DBH = 85 in
  • Circumference = 266 in
  • Height = 117 ft
  • Crown Spead = 119 ft
  • Estimated age 92 years.
The tree was nominated by Scott Roederer of Tucson, AZ - a seasonal tree hunter that has several national champion trees under his belt. 

Heritage Tree
The George Washington Elm located on the campus of Northern Arizona University is a truly historic tree. In 1775, George Washington stood under an American elm tree and took command of the Continental Army. Cuttings from that American elm tree were taken and sent around the country. One of the cuttings took root on the campus of Northern Arizona University in April of 1931 where it can be found growing to this day. The George Washington Elm was featured in the Arbor Day Arizona Magnificent 7 for 2018.

Witness Tree
The "Jail Tree" located in Wickenburg, AZ is a mesquite tree that was used to shackle lawbreakers until a jail was built in 1890. The tree can be found on Wickenburg Way (Highway 60) and Tenger.
Know of any upcoming events? Have any suggestions for future
topics/newsletter articles? Know someone who would like to receive this newsletter?

Please email the Editor at CDolan@dffm.az.gov

Urban & Community Forestry Staff

John C. Richardson - Program Manager- 602-771-1420

Wolfgang Grunberg - UCF|FH Project Coordinator - 602-399-1886

Steve McKelvey - Forest Health Project Coordinator - 602-771-1415

Jon Orona - Urban Forestry Specialist - 602-771-1407

Cori Dolan - Conservation Education Coordinator - 520-262-5519

The State of Arizona Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible with assistance from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this
institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management - Mission - Manage and reduce wildfire risk to Arizona's people, communities, and wildland areas and provide forest resource stewardship through strategic implementation of forest health policies and cooperative forestry assistance programs.