Work With Tree Trust This Summer!

Tree Trust has many employment opportunities this summer. If you are interested in working outdoors on a landscape crew, Tree Trust may have the job you're looking for!

Summer Youth Employment Program

This program is for lowincome and at-risk youth ages 14-21 from Dakota, Washington and Hennepin Counties (not Minneapolis) and provides an opportunity for many young people to have their "first job." This is a 9-week, part-time (average 20 hours per week) program that pays $7.25 per hour and is perfect for youth who plan to return to school in the fall. Most jobs are outdoors with the Youth Conservation Corps and involve building environmental improvement projects like retaining walls and staircases, and doing landscape projects like  erosion control and trail maintenance. There are also limited individual placement opportunities in Dakota County with local businesses and other organizations for positions that include administrative, retail, customer service, and janitorial work.

Please note that this program does not serve youth from Minneapolis, Saint Paul or Ramsey County. If you live in Minneapolis you must apply through the STEP-UP program. We will not work in Saint Paul this year, but if you are seeking a job there, please see the Youth Job Corps website.

  

Applications are available on our website, and as in past years, program participants are chosen through a lottery system. The program is NOT first come, first served so  as long as you complete an application and submit it (online or by mail) by March 21 and meet the eligibility requirements for the program, your application will be considered. This is a popular program and we do not have enough positions for all youth who will apply, so there is no guarantee that you will get a job with Tree Trust.

Young Adult Conservation Corps

This program is for low income and at risk young people ages 18-21. It is an opportunity to gain real life work experience in a supportive setting. This program is more intensive than the Summer Youth Employment Program. It is 39 hours per week for 12 weeks on an entry-level crew. Successful participants have the opportunity to continue for another three months on the advanced crew, and following that for three more months as an intern. These promotions are merit-based and not all participants will continue beyond the entry-level stage.

There is a 3-month cohort that begins on March 11, and another that will begin in June. If you're not returning to school next fall, this program is a better fit for you than the Summer program since you have the opportunity to advance to the next level in the fall and continue your job with Tree Trust. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please view the learn more and fill out an application. Employment is not guaranteed.

Crew Leader for the Summer Youth Employment Program

If you enjoy working in the outdoors and have a passion for youth development, consider applying to be a crew leader with the Summer Youth Employment Program this year. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and two years of work experience. Learn more about the requirements of the job here and apply if it looks like a good fit for you.

YACC is Recruiting Participants

Transform lives, transform landscapes, transform you! Tree Trust's Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) program is currently recruiting participants for its next 3-month session which starts on March 11, 2013. 

YACC is an employment training program that is based in landscaping and construction work. More specifically, YACC helps to improve the environment and the community by maintaining and developing green spaces while helping  participants to build transferable job skills. We help you to reach future employment and educational goals while you earn a paycheck!

The work schedule is, Monday – Thurday (8am to 4pm) and Friday (8am to 3pm). Starting pay is $7.25 per hour with room for advancement.

To be eligible, you must:

• live in Hennepin County
• be low-income or at-risk (if there is any question as to what this means, please contact keithw@treetrust.org)
• be between the ages of 17 and 21
• be ready and able to pass a standard drug test
• have proper work ID (i.e. school ID or State Issued ID and either a Social Security Card or Birth Certificate, etc.)

If this position sounds like a fit for you, please fill out a YACC application and return it to Tree Trust at 2231 Edgewood Ave. S. St. Louis Park, MN 55426, fax it to 952-767-3650, or email keithw@treetrust.org. If you need help filling out the application, contact Keith at 952-767-3917 or keithw@treetrust.org.

The next available start date is fast approaching and we are excited to connect with enthusiastic applicants, so apply as soon as possible or share this with anyone you know who may be interested!

Additionally, if you would like more information about our program, see our website, email Keith, or contact Keith via Facebook. 

Pruning Trees (Part 2 of 2)

How to Prune

Before you begin pruning assess the entire tree. Come up with a comprehensive plan and ultimate goal of what you are trying to accomplish. Make good pruning cuts. When you prune a tree you are creating a wound. Trees don't heal like people do; they do not regenerate tissue. Rather, trees callus over wounds or compartmentalize to seal off decay. The wound will forever be a part of the tree. Keeping that in mind, it is important to minimize the damage made from a pruning cut.

• Once a branch has been chosen for removal, identify the branch collar or bulge near the base of the branch (below).

• The branch collar contains active tissues that help in the healing process. It is important not to damage this part of the tree when making your cut.
• When making the cut, try to keep your hand pruners or saw just on the outside of the branch collar.
• If you cut into the branch collar it is called a "flush cut" and should be avoided

• If you cut too far out from the branch collar you are likely to leave a stub. The tree will have a hard time healing over a stub leaving it vulnerable to diseases and harmful bacteria.

• Here is an example of a proper pruning cut made just on the outside of the branch collar but not too far out on the branch so as not to leave a stub.

• Establish a central leader. Establishing a central leader will encourage upward growth of the tree. It will also create better structure and aesthetics as well as long term health and safety.
• The tree in the photo below left has co-dominant leaders, or two competing leaders. If left alone this may create future problems, as shown on right

• The photos below are showing how one leader can be removed. Try to keep the main stem or the branch with higher growth rate and remove the other one.

• If the branch is too large to cut with a hand pruners then use the 1-2-3 cut method to avoid tearing the bark as the branch separates from the tree.

 

 

o   Cut 1: Saw into the underside of the branch. Be sure to score the entire lower side of the branch.

o   Cut 2: Saw off the weight of the branch a few inches out from the first cut.

o   Cut 3: Remove the stub on the outside of the branch collar.

Rules to Remember

• If the pruning requires a chainsaw and ladder then call a professional arborist
• Never prune more than 25% of the tree's canopy at one time
• NEVER top a tree (shown below left). It is harmful and creates a dangerous tree
• Don't "lion's tail" or over thin the crown (shown below right)
• Do not tip the branches (cut off the ends of the branches)
• Be sure that you use sharp and sanitized pruning equipment. Dirty equipment can spread disease.  

 

 

To help you determine when and why you should prune your trees, see Part 1 of this series.

Pruning Trees (part 1 of 2)

Pruning is an essential part of caring for urban trees. In nature, trees self-prune in response to different environmental influences. In a yard or boulevard, trees may require help from humans to be good tree citizens in a people-dominated world. Formative pruning on young trees can help them grow to be strong and beautiful. Pruning on larger trees can improve the safety and health of the tree. Keep in mind that improper pruning is detrimental to the overall health and vigor of a tree. Before you prune be sure you are educated and informed on the proper methods of pruning and always consult a professional if you are unsure.

Reasons to Prune

There are several reasons why it may be necessary to prune your tree. Here are a few of them:

• To remove broken or damaged branches
• To remove diseased limbs or limbs infested with pests, fungus or bacteria that may affect the overall health of the tree
• To train a central leader
• To thin the crown of a tree to allow for air movement
• To raise the crown of a tree to allow clearance from sidewalks or streets

When to Prune

• Newly planted trees should not be pruned within the first two growing seasons except to remove dead or damaged branches
• Coniferous trees may be pruned any time of year, but sap flow will be minimized during the dormant season
• Non-flowering deciduous (shade) trees should be pruned when they are dormant (winter in Minnesota)
• Early spring bloomers (redbud, magnolia and others) should be pruned immediately following flowering in the spring to maximize their blooming capacity
• Crabapples, apples, plums and other fruit trees should be pruned in the dormant season just after the coldest weather has passed
• Dead or broken branches can be removed at any time of year

Check in with us on Thursday, Jan 31 to learn how to prune.

Read Part 2 here.

Giving Tuesday

Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? We have Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday to encourage shopping, shopping, and more shopping, but giving back during the holiday season often gets lost in the shuffle. There is nothing wrong with purchasing gifts during the holidays, but a new national movement is trying to remind us that the holidays are also a time to share time, money, and resources with those who are less fortunate.

Tree Trust encourages you to think about what you have to give. Do you have time to volunteer? Or do you prefer to share your financial resources? You can choose to do either of these things from the front page of the Tree Trust website. Select “Donate Now” or “Get Involved” to learn how you can be an active giver with Tree Trust.

You can also subscribe to the Tree Trust e-newsletter from the front page of our website to stay informed of volunteer opportunities and general Tree Trust happenings. We unfortunately will not have many volunteer opportunities until spring since we can't plant trees in frozen ground, but you’ll be “in the know” of others things going on with Tree Trust.

If you don't have time to volunteer, but are interested in supporting Tree Trust's work, please consider making a donation. Or, do you need a meaningful gift for someone who has everything? Or for someone who cares deeply about the environment? Consider making a contribution in their honor to our Green Futures fund.

Please join us tomorrow for Giving Tuesday. Learn more at givingtuesday.org or follow #GivingTuesday on Twitter.

What We're Thankful For

Tree Trust has a lot to be thankful for this year and in the spirit of Thanksgiving we would like to reflect on some of the things that make us thankful for being a part of this great organization.

• We had five successful Learning with Trees events this year. Besides the events being fun, it also gives us an opportunity to see budding environmental stewards as children help to improve the landscape at their schools by planting trees!

• With the help of volunteers we recently planted trees in North Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, and Fridley. Volunteer participation allows us to have these events, and also gives people an opportunity to work alongside their neighbors while bettering their community.

• In September we snagged some media attention when we teamed up with Jason Mraz, KS95, and Reverb for a planting event. The publicity was great and only helps to raise awareness of the importance of our work.

• Last but not least on our list of things that we're thankful for this fall, we are thankful for being one of four finalists for the Toro Grant Initiative "Green Spaces Make Better Places," which makes us eligible to win a $7,000 grant. You can help us win that grant by voting here.

Before you go out shopping on Black Friday remember that dedicating a Green Futures tree to someone makes a great Christmas gift! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

October's Learning with Trees

October has been a busy and successful month for the Tree Trust Learning with Trees program. Our first event at Orono Intermediate School on October 17 was in partnership with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Orono Intermediate, and the Beim Foundation. Students, teachers, and volunteers planted 13 trees and 14 shrubs for a Minnesota Tree Identification walk at a short nature trail near the school.
 

The area where trees were planted is called Listening Point and is managed in conjunction with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. There were a variety of trees and shrubs planted at Listening Point including Bur Oak, Red Twig Dogwoods, Basswood and Hackberry. Each tree received an identification plaque mounted in the ground for interpretive purposes. The program was made possible by funding from the Beim Foundation.

The second event at Prairie Seeds Academy in Brooklyn Park on October 26. The program was funded by CenterPoint Energy, which also provided volunteer and technical support.

Prairie Seeds Academy acquired a new school building and grounds about two years ago. There is a small woodlot on the school property that had potential as an outdoor learning area. Some trails had already been created through this woodlot but there was room for improvement. Ten benches were installed in a circle in the woodlot to act as an outdoor classroom. Twelve trees and 14 shrubs representing several native Minnesota tree species were planted by Prairie Seeds students and now line the trails to create a Minnesota Arboretum Walk.

Many thanks to the CenterPoint Energy, the Beim Foundation, students, teachers, and volunteers who made these events a success!

E-Cycling for Schools

OceanTech, an organization dedicated to providing environmentally responsible electronics recycling, is offering its 3^rd Annual Educators’ E-cycling Initiative until November 1, 2012. Tree Trust will receive a one cent donation from OceanTech for every pound of e-waste that it collects from schools.

OceanTech is improving our Twin Cities environment through recycling and responsibly disposing of e-waste, preventing harmful chemicals from leaching into groundwater, air, and soil. They will help to improve our environment further by contributing to the Green Futures fund, which supports community tree planting events in Twin Cities parks and recreation areas.

So far this year, they have collected 95,532 pounds of e-waste! That's $955.32 that they will contribute to planting trees through the Tree Trust Green Futures fund. Can you help us increase that number? Speak to your school, you child's school, or a school in your neighborhood and find out if they have some old, unused electronics that need to be disposed of properly.

There are nine days left for your school to participate, so what are you waiting for? Learn more about OceanTech from their website, or call Josh Heath from OceanTech at 612-331-4456 or email him for more information.

Volunteer this fall!

Have you ever volunteered with Tree Trust? Would you like to? We are looking for volunteers to help plant trees as part of our annual GreenFutures plantings. The first will be on Saturday, October 6 in Eden Prairie at Forest Hills Park and the second will be in Fridley on Saturday, October 13 at the Springbrook Nature Center. 

Tree Trust staff and Tree Trainers train volunteers on-site on the proper method of planting a tree so no experience is necessary - just be willing to learn, have fun and enjoy the outdoors! Plantings are family-friendly, so feel free to bring your kids  as long as they are well-supervised. Check out the volunteer page of our website to learn more and sign up!

Are you interested in becoming a Tree Trainer? Tree Trainers learn how to lead other volunteers and students in planting trees properly at Green Futures and Learning with Trees plantings. Tree Trainers have to attend a training and volunteer at two events per year. We just happen to have a Tree Trainer Training this Saturday, September 29 with a few openings left. Sign up here!

Green Futures gives volunteers a chance to actively participate in improving our local environment. In addition, individuals can support the program through contributions to the Green Futures Fund. Nearly $50,000 has been donated to Green Futures since 2008 and each dollar donated by individuals is matched by a local family foundation.

Each $150 in the fund plants another tree for a total of over 720 trees planted in the Twin Cities to date! Trees planted through Green Futures are six- to ten-feet tall well-established trees which have a much greater chance of survival than seedlings.

Please consider joining us for an event this fall. Volunteering with Tree Trust is a great, hands-on way to give back to the community!