Workshops focus on tree care, sustainability

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Forest Service announces the 2013 Western Tree Care Workshops in Chadron, Scottsbluff, Sidney, Valentine, North Platte, and McCook in January. These full-day workshops will address some of the challenges associated with growing trees and other landscape plants in Nebraska, with specific emphasis on dealing with the drought's effects on trees and shrubs.

"This year's drought leaves many wondering how best to care for their trees," said Laurie Stepanek, Forest Health Assistant for the Nebraska Forest Service. "While drought can kill trees outright, many effects of drought are delayed and appear in the form of increased pest problems."

Workshops are developed specifically for public works employees, landscape managers, tree board volunteers, arborists, nursery and green industry professionals and landscape enthusiasts. Lunch is included with the registration fee.

The day begins with a 30-minute informal visit with NFS foresters and tree health experts on issues affecting trees and landscapes, beginning at 8:30 a.m. This session provides an opportunity for participants to discuss specific issues related to the trees in their care. Doak Nickerson, Rich Woollen, Amy Seiler, Laurie Stepanek and Rachel Allison will be available at different workshops to answer questions.

Other topics:

* How drought affects trees

* Proper watering practices of trees and shrubs during drought

* Benefits of mulching vs. fertilizer

* Hands-on learning­--how to identify common insect and disease problems, root pruning and an in-depth look at the "right tree, right place" concept

* Roundtable discussion on pesticide application and participants' concerns

Workshops run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at each location, beginning January 8 in Chadron and ending January 24 in McCook. Registration is $45 per person ($5 discount for students, master gardeners, tree board volunteers and NAA, NSA, NNLA and ISA members). There is no charge for ReTree Nebraska Ambassadors.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, workshops are partially funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and are held in cooperation with the Cherry County Extension, the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County Extension, the North Platte NRD, the Red Willow County Extension, the South Platte NRD and the Upper Niobrara White NRD.

Information and registration forms are online at the Nebraska Forest Service website at www.nfs.unl.edu/ treecare.asp and from your Nebraska Forest Service district forester - www.nfs. unl.edu/NFSdistricts.asp.

Register online or complete the registration form and send a check payable to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mail registrations to Jackie Loomis, Nebraska Maps & More Store, 101 Hardin Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0961. For more information, contact Amy Seiler at (308) 632-2749 or e-mail aseiler2@unl.edu.

Eastern tree care workshops will be held in March in Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island.