The INDEPENDENT, January 1, 2009
Page 9
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Pictures from the 1968/69
Vernonia winter snovfall, es-
timated by residents at
about four feet.
Top; a full size 60’s era Ford
all but disappeared.
Top, right; The Drip’s place
(Gene & Mary) on Wilson
Cutoff road (they built the
Sunnyside Restaurant).
Right; Marty Christensen, 4-
1/2 years old, stands in the
snow at the Drip’s place.
Photos courtesy of Joyce
Vaughn.
Winter is non-flowering tree pruning time
Winter brings snow, ice, and
frigid temperatures, but it also
brings the perfect conditions for
pruning most non-flowering
trees.
In winter, trees go into their
dormant season. Cooler weath-
er causes leaves to fall to the
ground, making the tree’s
branch structures easier to see.
With trees free from leaves, it is
the ideal situation to spot bro-
ken or damaged branches that
could easily snap under the
pressure of snow and ice in the
winter months.
Deciding what and where to
prune involves an understand-
ing of basic tree biology, sharp
tools, and an artful eye. Where
you make the cut is as impor-
tant as knowing what to re-
move. There are a few simple
principles to understand before
you prune:
• Always have a purpose in
mind before you cut. Removing
dead or diseased wood, provid-
ing clearance, or improving
structure are most common.
• Proper technique is essen-
tial. Poor pruning technique
can cause long-term damage.
Learn how to make proper cuts.
• Small cuts do less damage
to the tree than large cuts. Un-
like people, tree wounds do not
heal, they close. Smaller cuts
close quicker.
• Make cuts just outside the
branch collar for quick wound
closure.
• Avoid leaving stubs.
• Keep tools sharp and
clean.
“Proper pruning can be an
important part of tree health
maintenance,” said Jim Skiera,
Executive Director of the Inter-
national Society of Arboricul-
ture (ISA). “Just be aware that
each tree is different, and prun-
ing at the wrong time or the
wrong way can injure a tree or
make it susceptible to disease.”
If pruning your tree cannot
be done without using power
equipment or leaving the
ground, then it should be left to
a professional arborist. You can
find more tips on how to prune
trees, or how to find a Certified
Arborist in your area at
http://www.treesaregood.com.
The International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA), headquar-
tered in Champaign, Ill., is a
nonprofit organization support-
Please see page 16
First
and fore-
most –
Thank
you to
every-
one who
kept in
contact
with me
by phone and by slogging
through the snow and ice to my
door. How did you spend your
snow and ice-olation? I sent
out a S.M.L. (Save My Life) to a
friend who had 4-wheel drive.
Of course, your medical pre-
scription runs out when you
can’t get out of the house. I
spent my time watching the
weather, shoveling snow,
cleaning off my carport top.
Made it to the mail box three
times (fell down once), read a
500-page book, crocheted a
lap robe, started knitting a
sweater. And ate much mush,
poached eggs, hot cakes,
home-made goulash, chicken
veg soup, chicken – in many
forms. Yes, thank you, I cook
with gas, also have hot water
on tap.
Life may be quiet but it real-
ly isn’t dull. Lonesome some-
times, I did miss the Golden
Oldies on Wednesdays. I made
it to the Senior Center for
Christmas Dinner. Thank you,
Bill James, and family and the
Sr. Center for making it possi-
ble to eat and greet other
snow-bound folks. When the
lights went out Christmas Eve I
fled my coop. Went to a friend’s
that has wood heat. I’m now
home again. I hope to stay. All
that beautiful snow has sud-
denly become a “dirty thing” to
be reckoned with. Consider the
ducks at the lake. Their water
hole looks to be the size of
Grandma’s old washtub.
I didn’t go to the gatherings
at the Middle School mainly be-
cause I’m not too foot-sure in
snow and ice. I also didn’t think
it wise to expose myself to all
sorts of coughs and sneezes –
as I’m prone to pneumonia
when I catch cold.
Maybe, just maybe, 2009
has a surprise waiting for us in
the Spring. There isn’t much
we haven’t dealt with in 2008
so keep smiling, and helping
your neighbor when you can.
Happy New Year.
Sunday, Dec. 28, 8 a.m.: A
special P.S. I don’t know your
name but I’ve seen your face –
God Bless You and Thank You
for spending time Saturday to
plow out and rescue the Mobile
Park folk. Yes, I’m speaking for
all of us. You are appreciated.
So are the folk who squired my-
self and many others through
the muck and ice. Also, the
men who worked to get our
lights and heat restored. I know
you say, “It’s my job”, but that is
beside the point at a time such
as we just had. Again, Bless
You.
H a p p y N e w Ye a r ! !
W
N E
H
RS
OU
Wednesdays - Fridays 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
and some Saturdays 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Your Painting & Interior Specialist
Vernonia, Oregon 503-830-6057
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159353
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10 am - 6 pm Saturday
Closed Sundays
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call Camrin @ 971.998.2223
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