The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/668770
The Press-Dispatch Local Wednesday, April 20, 2016 A- 9 Big Style for Little Eyes Great selection of light, durable children's frames in styles they'll love. Dr. Clint Shoultz 715 S. 9th Street, Petersburg, IN 812-354-9400 Locally Owned and Operated CALL 812.354.9400 to schedule an appointment today. Available with: √ Scratch-Resistant Polycarbonate √ 100% UV Protection √ Transition Lenses Protect Against Eye Injuries on the Field With Our Prescription Sports Goggles for Kids Mon. 8-7, Tues. 8-Noon, Wed. 10-7, Thur. & Fri. 8-5 Spring Screenings A FREE Women's Health Event You are cordially invited to join us for an evening especially for women, featuring free health screenings and information designed with you in mind. Free screenings will include: Cholesterol (HDL and LDL), Blood Sugar, Glomerular Filtration Rate (Kidney Function), Blood Pressure, Bone Density, Respiratory and Colorectal Take-Home Kits. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Highland Woods Community Center 1377 South Hart Street Vincennes, IN 47591 No Appointment Necessary (10-12 Hour Fasting Recommended, But Not Required) For more information, please call (812) 885-3336. POST PROM Forest landowners should stay the course on black walnut The DNR has advice for forest landowners: Don't get talked into selling your black walnut trees because of thousand cankers dis- ease (TCD). Originally found in New Mexico, TCD affects ma- ny types of walnut trees to varying degrees but is le- thal to black walnuts in the western United States. In the eastern United States, TCD has been detected in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Penn- sylvania and Ohio. According to State En- tomologist Phil Marshall, TCD has not been detect- ed from a black walnut tree in the state of Indi- ana. Furthermore, Mar- shall doesn't expect wide- spread mortality from TCD anytime in Indiana in the near future. Even in Eastern states where TCD has been de- tected, widespread die-offs haven't happened. "If you are approached to sell your black walnut trees now because the 'walnut disease' (TCD) is coming, you should contact your consulting forester or district forester for ad- vice," Marshall said. "Fol- low your current manage- ment plan and do not sell the walnut just because of TCD." Marshall has received reports from consulting foresters in northeast Indi- ana that some of their cli- ents have sold walnut trees when they did not need to. TCD is caused by a fun- gus, Geosmithia morbida, that is transported by the walnut twig beetle. The beetles bore into wal- nut branches, feeding on the tree's tissues and depos- iting the fungus that creates a canker, or dead area, un- der the bark. Multiple feed- ings cause the formation of thousands of cankers un- der the bark and destroy the tree's ability to trans- port water and nutrients. Gradually the tree dies. While TCD hasn't been detected in Indiana, com- ponents of the disease have been. In 2014, the fungus was found on a weevil col- lected from a walnut tree in Yellowwood State Forest walnut plantation. None of the trees in the plantation contracted the disease. In 2015, walnut twig bee- tle was detected in baited traps at a Franklin County sawmill near the Ohio bor- der. But the beetle hasn't been found in standing trees in Indiana. The DNR is on the look- out for thousand cankers disease and the walnut twig beetle in Indiana. In 2015, the agency visual- ly inspected 1,431 walnut trees in 10 communities across the state. It also set 249 baited beetle traps. Black walnut is the most valuable tree in Indiana. There are an estimated 31.5 million walnut trees in Indiana. Approximate- ly 17.7 million board feet of black walnut is harvest- ed annually with a value of $21.4 million. To view all DNR news re- leases, see dnr.IN.gov. Treating a tree's storm damage Storms cause tremen- dous stress and severe dam- age to trees in the urban forest. Snapped or downed trees should be removed, but what about a tree that only suffers minor damage? How can a homeowner tell if a tree is safe enough to keep? ASSESSING THE DAMAGE Minor damage – with on- ly the smallest branches of the tree being injured - usually results in little or no permanent injury to the tree. All that is required is cleanup of the broken twigs and branches and perhaps a crown cleaning to restore a pleasing shape. More severe damage - large broken branches, split crotches, removal of bark and splitting or splintering of the trunk - can be caused by strong winds and heavy ice storms and require more maintenance. When a tree is severely damaged, homeowners must ask: "Is this tree safe, and in good enough condition to keep? " A tree care professional should be consulted to an- swer this question. "Most arborists will take the time and effort to save a tree only if the tree will still be healthy, attractive and of value to the proper- ty owner after repairs," ex- plains Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP and staff ar- borist for the Tree Care In- dustry Association (TCIA). "A tree care expert may rec- ommend removal of a tree that has brittle wood, or if the branch structure makes it vulnerable to damage from future storms. Trees that have been topped by storms, for example, can be prime candidates for remov- al," says Andersen. TREATING THE TREE If the homeowner de- cides to save the tree, the next question is: "Am I ca- pable of repairing the dam- age myself, or should I seek professional help? " Ma- jor repair will undoubtedly require the use of a chain saw and climbing equip- ment. Unless one is expe- rienced in the use of such equipment and comfortable working off the ground, it is best to have the work per- formed by a competent pro- fessional. Inspect your trees for damage after a storm. If a tree has hazards, such as broken, hanging limbs or a split branch union (some- times called a branch fork), you should have a reputa- ble tree care company give an assessment. This is im- portant because you could be held liable if the haz- ard branch or tree falls and damages property or causes personal injury. Above, juniors Chase Davis (left) and Madi- son Scott (right) were crowned as the 2016 Prince and Princess during the Pike Central High School prom on Saturday, April 16. At left, se- niors Samantha Halbrader (left) and Eli Love- land (right) were crowned Queen and King. Photo by Jeff Harting Above, Draven Huff shows off some moves on the dance floor dur- ing the Pike Central High School prom on Saturday, April 16. At right, Lindsey Da- vis, Kyla Newkirk, Syd- ney Brooks, Sarah Ro- throck and Lani Dillard pose for a picture. Photo by Jeff Harting Left, Levi Tryon (top left), Kyle Robling (bot- tom left) and Jacon Rice (center) have fun on the dance floor during the Pike Central High School prom on Satur- day, April 16. Photo by Jeff Harting