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Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 10, 2016 9A Get help selecting, planting a tree Like building a house, planting a tree takes re- search and planning or the investment can come tum- bling down. But if selected, sited and planted correctly, a tree be- stows a lifetime of enjoy- ment and value. To help people succeed, Oregon State University Ex- tension Service has intro- duced a slick, new app for iOS and Android users called Selecting, Planting and Caring for a New Tree. The free app hits your tablets just as tree-planting season gets serious. Home- owners without tablets aren’t left behind. A down- loadable publication — also free — is available, too. The “A New Tree” app, as it’s known for short, will give you everything you need to know in a touch of the finger to choose and care for a tree and, perhaps most impor- tantly, how to match one to your site. It’s a matter of “right tree, right place,” said Paul Ries, an urban and community forestry special- ist for OSU Extension. “It comes down to the ap- propriate species selection for the location,” he ex- plained. “You’ve got to give them room to grow. Don’t just pick a tree because it’s pretty and then decide where to plant it. That will get you into trouble in the future because it’s too big for the site or in soil that’s too dry or too wet or other- wise inappropriate.” Authored by Ries and Steve Fitzgerald, Extension forestry specialist, the app Your Garden makes life easy with videos, step-by-step graphics, illus- trations and full-color pho- tos. “Typically people think to buy a tree for a specific rea- son,” said “It can be shade, fall color, flowers. But the amazing thing is that trees never just give the benefits you plant them for.” One advantage people often don’t consider is the increased value trees bring to their property. Research shows that a house with trees is worth 7 to 20 percent more than a similar one next door without trees, accord- ing to Ries. The money saved on heating and cool- ing can be significant, too. A well-planted shade tree blocks sun in summer to cool a home, while allowing in winter sun to heat the house. Aesthetics and savings aren’t the only reasons to add a tree to your property, however. Hardworking trees help prevent flooding by in- tercepting rainwater and slowing it down. They also clean the air by removing carbon dioxide and releas- ing oxygen. Conifers pro- vide wind breaks. For all of those reasons, Ries encourages a well- planned investment in a tree and offers advice on how to plant it. PHOTO from Flickr by halfrain Trees are valuable investments in the future so get them of to a good start with a new interactive app from OSU Extension. Dig a hole that’s two to three times the width of the tree’s root ball, but only deep enough for the root ball to sit about 2 inches above the ground. A wide hole will allow better root growth and is especially im- portant in compacted soil. The hole should be the same width at the top and bottom. Use a shovel or other tool to roughen the sides of the hole, which will allow roots to grow into surrounding soil and discourage girdling. Remove any roots or debris. Be sure to remove twine from trees wrapped in burlap. Tamp down soil in the bottom of the hole. Place tree in the hole, making sure it sits above ground by at least 2 inches to allow for settling. The biggest mis- take people make, Ries noted, is to plant a tree too deep. Fill in hole with the soil you dug from it. Mulch around tree, keep- ing mulch away from the top of the root ball. Most trees don’t need to be staked because young trees left to stand alone de- velop a stronger trunk. But an especially weak tree or one planted in a windy area will need to be staked for the first six months to a year. Use two stakes and straps or hose. Don’t use wire, which will cut through the bark. Always remember to remove the stakes and ties. P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist pendence library is sched- uled for March 7 at the Inde- pendence Cinema. The fea- tured movie is “The Intern,” starring Anne Hathaway and Robert DeNiro, and the fes- tivities begin at 7 p.m. Tick- ets are $15 and include re- freshments. For more infor- mation, please call Betty Plude at 503-551-7687. Tick- ets are available at the li- brary and the Pink House Restaurant. — Adult Art Nights at the Monmouth library have been lots of fun for those of us who decided to channel our inner child and enjoy coloring books, with pens and pencils and other sup- plies donated by the Friends of the Library. It’s lots of fun to share the com- pany of people of all ages, have snacks and relax. Adults are welcome to at- tend the next event — Zen- tangle Drawing is sched- uled for Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the community room. Sounds like fun and an op- portunity to find out just what Zentangle means. — The Friends of the Mon- mouth Library have pur- chased two new museum passes that will be available soon. Here’s your chance to see the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMin- nville, or the Hallie Ford Mu- seum of Art in Salem, at no cost. Please stop by the li- A RLENE K OVASH Columnist Last Friday Heidi Russell and Amy Gilson’s home- schoolers finished the quilts they’d been working on be- fore Christmas. I wish I could show you the one-patch lap quilts Allana and Alex Rus- sell, and Cameyna and Cam- bria Gilson made, as they were beautiful. Cambria, 8, finished hers first so she could give it to her brother Charlie for Christmas. — Last week I was in Belfast, Maine, for an American Agri-Women meeting. My flight was at 8:40 a.m., so I left home at 5 for the two- hour drive — dark, pouring down rain, heavy traffic, spray everywhere. I just knew I wouldn’t make it. But I did. Then when I got to the airport, I didn’t have my dri- ver’s license so used credit cards and was practically strip searched, but I got on! — We were at AAW’s past- president Sue McCrum’s Larry and Tracie Burger will celebrate their 40th an- niversary on Feb. 15. The couple was married on Feb. 15, 1976. BIRTHS Wellman William Wayne Wellman III was born to William Well- man II and Codie Wellman, of Dallas, at 8:17 a.m. on Jan. 11 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 19 inches long. William joins Wyatt, 3, and Iyla, 1. Grandparents are Darrel and Patricia McDaniel, of Dal- las, William and Dana Wellman, of Falls City, and Kelly Weller, of West Salem. Great-grandparents are Sandy Wellman, of Dallas, and Robert McDaniel, of Dallas. Marshall Coleton Jeremiah Marshall was born to Jason Marshall and Stephanie Holland, of Salem, at 6:33 p.m. on Jan. 13 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 3.5 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long. Coleton joins Conner, 8, and Chasity, 2. Grandparents are Gwen Holland, of Salem, and Doug and Michelle Marshall, of Independence. Great-grandparents are Margie Holland, of Lebanon, Don and Yvonne Mckechnie, of Monmouth, and Joan Marshall, of Independence. Hawes brary for more information. — During this political sea- son there’s a lot of talk about the U.S. Constitution and the Amendments. There’s also a great deal of myth and folklore that groups often use when referring to this amazing document that has guided our nation for over 200 years. For those of us who want to know what the Constitution is truly all about, thanks to Gary Hux- ford (Western Oregon Uni- versity professor), we have the opportunity to attend a series of six classes that will give us a great deal of insight into the Constitution. We will be meeting Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the Monmouth Senior Center, and everyone is welcome to attend at no cost. Please call Sue Teal at 503-838-5678 for more in- formation. PEDEE NEWS Amanda Bennett, grand- daughter of Pete and La Verne Bennett, returned to Sheppherd Air Force base after a six-month deploy- ment to Qatar. One of the first things she did after ar- riving in the states was to order a bacon cheeseburger. Pork is not allowed in Qatar and she wasn’t always sure what the meat was that they were served. Amanda was surprised with an engage- ment ring when she arrived in Texas. She and Jon Wil- son, who is also in the Air Force, plan an October wed- ding in Texas. — 40th - Burger K YM P OKORNY MI TOWN The brightly colored hearts and flowers remind us that Sunday is St. Valen- tine’s Day. Whether we cele- brate with candy or flowers or a book or a special card, or good wishes for our fami- ly and friends, we all have a special opportunity to thank those who we love and care for. It’s a wonderful day to celebrate love and romance and friendship, no matter who we are. — Both the Monmouth and Independence public li- braries deserve lots of valen- tine hearts for providing the best children’s programs for our even-younger genera- tion, and as a warm and cozy place to meet with friends and colleagues. — It’s not too early to remind everyone that the 10th an- nual fundraiser for the Inde- ANNIVERSARY gorgeous home — a big farm house in Belfast. Sue and Jay are major growers and processors of potatoes, with Jay developing prod- ucts like JoJos and other well-known potato products in their kitchen. They also grow for Lay’s Potato Chips. — In the Bangor airport on the way home I told them I’d lost my driver’s license, but had my government issue Medicare card and Costco card with my photo and they said that was fine and even let me continue on with my TSA preferred boarding pass. Everett Cormac Hawes was born to Shea and Rachel Hawes, of Salem, at 8:32 a.m. on Jan. 19 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 22 inches long. Everett joins Wyatt, 5, and Garett, 3. Grandparents are Randy Wurdinger, of Molalla, Ronna Keeney, of Molalla, and George and Mary Hawes, of Madras. Stegner Denessa Rose Stegner was born to Christopher Stegner and Denise Bonneville, of Dallas, at 12:25 p.m. on Jan. 27 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long. Denessa joins Ethan, 6. Grandparents are Neva Bonneville, of Dallas, Ray Bon- neville, of Sweet Home, and Shawn and Christine Stegner, of Eugene. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Continued from page 8A — TUESDAY, FEB. 16 • Polk County Coin Club — 7 p.m., Monmouth Senior Cen- ter, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-362-9123. — WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17 • Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon, Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541-404-6517. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutof Road, Building E, Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503-831-5634. • Day-2-Day Diabetes Support Group — 3 to 4 p.m., West Valley Hospital (main conference room inside main entrance), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. 503-623-7323. • Bingo at the Farm — 6:30 p.m., Rogue Farms Hopyard, 3590 Wigrich Road, Independence. All ages welcome. Free; food and beverages available for purchase. 503-838-9813. • Brew and BS: The Old Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on the Old Testament. Bring brew of choice — cofee, tea, chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304. Spring Home Garden & Car Care 2016 Deadline: March 4 publish: March 16 , 1/8 pg..................... $ 79 1/4 pg................... $ 147 1/2 pg. ................. $ 266 Full pg. ................ $ 499 Back pg ................ $ 590 Itemizer Observer Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen Today! 503-623-2373 Did the stork visit you in 2015? see page 5 for details
