Boise Tree Climbing Competition
Back In May, Boise Parks and Recreation hosted a tree climbing competition administered by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The last time an event like this was held in Boise was 2016. The Boise Tree Climbing Competition (BTCC) was held in Julia Davis Park, and climbers from Oregon, Utah, and Idaho showed up to participate.
The Idaho Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager joined more than 30 volunteers from the city of Boise and the arborist community all over the Treasure and Wood River Valley’s helped make the event a success.
 A BTCC competitor prepares for the Aerial rescue challenge as a volunteer re-sets the "rescue dummy", can you spot it in the tree? Photo credit Cristina Bowerman
Another unique aspect of the BTCC was the Public Tree Climb that occurred in conjunction with the event. Canopy Watch International hosted the second ever public tree climbing event for Idaho (the first was held in Meridian, back in April).
This marked the first time the organization offered an “All-Abilities” adaptive sports climb. The Urban and Community Forestry Program manager is planning to connect them to more events all over Idaho. You are encouraged to learn more about Canopy Watch International and the great things they do to connect people with trees, and perhaps invite them into communities near you.
Here is a link to a fun video that captures some highlights from the event:
BTCC 2022
Tree Climbing and Rigging Workshop
"Vermeer Tree School 2022"
The city of Meridian teamed up with Vermeer Mountain West to bring an exceptional training opportunity to the arborists in the Treasure Valley. The training occurred over two full days and had approximately 20 attendees.
On May 31st Tyler Zuniga from North American Training Solutions demonstrated intermediate climbing techniques that introduced many of the most modern pieces of equipment and gear used for safe tree climbing.
On June 1st he taught intermediate rigging solutions and demonstrated techniques such as “Negative Rigging” and “Zip-Lining.” These are techniques used for tree pruning and removal in confined spaces employing the use of fiddle blocks, porta wraps, and different slings and pulleys as well as the Great Rigging Control System (GRCS).
 Tyler Zuniga of North American Training Solutions demonstrates how to properly install and set ropein the GRCS (Great Rigging Control System) in a tree for rigging operations. Photo credit M. Perkins
The thorough hands on demonstrations of techniques and gear are rare and hard to come by, usually requiring additional expenses and travel that many arborists cannot afford themselves. Hats off to Vermeer for making this training accessible and thank you to Meridian for providing the space.
The Idaho Department of Lands Urban & Community Forestry Program was happy to help organize, sponsor and provide refreshments for this event.
Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Oregon
It’s official now, we are surrounded.
Oregon Department of Agriculture announced July 11, 2022, that the invasive pest known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been discovered in Forest Grove, Oregon.
This destructive bug has completely devastated ash tree populations all over the Eastern and Midwestern United States. Prior to this discovery, the insect was only thought to have made it as far west as Colorado.
Please see the link to the Oregon News Release here.
 Photo Credit - David Cappaert, Michigan State University Bugwood.org
Idaho Department of Lands’ Urban and Community Forestry Program and Forest Health Program in collaboration with Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and United State Forest Service have been putting on Preparedness Workshops throughout Idaho.
The goal is to help arborists, professional applicators, city foresters, and parks and recreation officials become more familiar with and to learn how to develop a plan for managing and minimizing the damage that is sure to follow the arrival of this invasive and destructive pest.
It is now time to turn up the volume on the awareness and work together to do everything we can to be prepared.
The Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager is also developing a “Preparedness and Response Plan Template” that will provide cities with a “fill in the blank” document they can use to kickstart a management plan for their own communities.
Here are some details about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):
- EAB attacks and kills Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.)
- Preferred hosts in our region:
- Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
- White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
- Adult beetles feed on leaves with this initial insignificant damage easily going undetected as symptoms only show in the upper mid canopy
- Larvae are the most destructive stage of the pest, feeding in the cambium layer and 1 to 2-year-old xylem (sapwood) just under the bark of trees, forming ‘S’ shaped galleries
- Larvae have 10 distinct “bell” shaped segments, and a “flat head”
- Upon emerging from the trees, the adults leave a ‘D’ shaped exit hole.
- Infested trees can be recognized by a “thinning canopy” with epicormic sprouting (suckers).
- Woodpecker damage often accompanies the infestation as the birds flake off bark looking to feed on the larvae
 Photos clockwise from upper left:
- A thinning crown and epicormic sprouting are signs of a potential infestation,
- Woodpecker damage along the trunks of trees as the birds flake off the bark in their pursuit to feed on the larvae under the bark.
- Example of the "S" shaped galleries the larvae create while feeding in the cambium layer underneath the bark.
- Larvae vary in size depending on their age, but the "bell" shaped segments are characteristic of the EAB.
- Shiny green wing cases of the adults (known as the "elytra"), and underneath, the dorsal side of the abdomen exhibits a bright coppery red color.
IDL will host more training workshops to help with awareness across Idaho. Please be watching for more information about upcoming workshops.
To report suspected EAB contact one of the following:
-
Idaho State Department of Agriculture
- Pest Survey and Detection Manager: 208-332-8620
-
USDA-APHIS
- State Plant Health Director: 208-373-1600
-
Idaho Department of Lands
- Forest Health Program Manager: 208-666-8668
- Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager: 208-334-0250
-
USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection
- Boise Field Office: 208-373-4227
- Coeur d’Alene Field Office: 208-765-7342
For more information about the Emerald Ash Borer visit: Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
Sandpoint is Working to Ensure a Resilient Urban Forest for Future Generations
by Garth Davis, Community Forestry Assistant for Northern Idaho
If you are unfamiliar with the Sandpoint Idaho, you should remedy that. Sandpoint is a crown jewel nestled on Lake Pend ‘Oreille in the panhandle of the Gem State. In 2020 the population was 8,692, and like many communities in the region the population has exploded since then.
With a rich history as part of the logging industry of North Idaho leaving a legacy of mature urban trees in parks and on rights-of-ways. Sandpoint has always valued its tree resources and its 26 years as a Tree City USA is testament to the community’s commitment to its urban forest.
Many communities in North Idaho, are dealing with incredible growth, and the tree issues that come with it. Making sure trees are thought of in every phase of new development, managing mature trees, and educating citizens about tree ordinances are just some topics in the long list of best management practices that need to be applied to a sustainable community program.
Sign from a "Green Streets" street tree planting project carried out in downtown Sandpoint with IDL grant funds (circa 2011). Photo credit J. Jowdy
Some of the trees planted during the Green Streets tree planting project. IDL Urban & Community Forestry hopes to help fund similar projects in the future. Photo credit - J. Jowdy
Leadership within the city government recognized the need to give the urban forest program new perspective and direction to make sure it is prepared to manage community trees going forward. Sandpoint has contracted with a consultant to update the inventory and create a management plan that will be used as the guiding document for the management of public trees.
In addition to the creation of a management plan, Sandpoint has taken advantage of the technical assistance provided by the Community Forestry Assistant (CFA) that is working for the Idaho Department of Lands Urban and Community Forestry Program.
The CFA has performed many tree risk assessments on public trees that allowing informed decisions on individual tree care, provided ideas and plans for working around tree and sidewalk issues and participated in the planning, and provided seedlings for its Arbor Day Celebration.
Sandpoint’s 2022 Arbor Day Celebration got the new urban forestry era started off with a bang. Community events included a tree planting, booths with great tree information, and seedlings provided by partners like the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum, Aster Garden Design Center, Pend Oreille Arts Council, Kaniksu Land Trust, Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner County Gardeners Association and the Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District.
Despite the rain (which seems to have been a common theme among Arbor Day celebrations this year) this was the biggest Arbor Day Celebration in the city’s history.
 Sandpoint Arbor Day 2022, the city was one of many recipients of the Arbor Day Grant funded by IDL. Despite the "May Showers" residents showed up for the ceremonial tree planting of a White Spruce in Lakeview Park. Photo credit - G. Davis
Sandpoint has a memorandum of understanding with the IDL CFA that has resulted in a productive working relationship. The city can take advantage of having a consulting arborist at their disposal who works under contract with Idaho Department of Lands. Training city employees is part of what CFAs do, often taking the form of planting, pruning or tree maintenance workshops, and they provide other forms of education for the community.
Recently, the city hired a new parks planning and development manager, whose scope of work includes oversight of the Urban Forestry Program. When new employees don’t have a background in urban forestry, they can use the CFA’s experience to help them understand some of the unique situations that come up when people and trees mix.
Examples of how other communities have handled similar tree situations can help employees learn from other community’s mistakes or duplicate another community’s successes.
Sandpoint has committed to proactively managing their urban forest. A new management plan, knowledgeable employees and assistance from IDL will go a long way to guaranteeing that Sandpoint’s tree resource will be enjoyed by generations to come.
If you would like a CFA to help your community forestry program visit the IDL Urban & Community Forestry webpage for contact information.
Tree Tips: Ash Identification
Know your Ash
With all of the excitement about the Emerald Ash Borer, it would be great to know how to identify the trees they feed on. Apparently, EAB has also been known to attack other Oleaceae family plants, but because these trees are not that common in Idaho, let's focus on the species we do have.
 Here is a link to some more info on Ash: Ash identification
Idaho Calendar of Events
PNW ISA – Friday, September 9th TRAQ Renewal Online training
Coeur d’Alene
Silver Mountain Brewfest - 25th Annual Brewfest Coeur d’Alene Silver Mountain Resort August 13, 1-6 pm
Pine-needle-basket-weaving - Pine needle basket weaving at Emerge July 30, 11- 3 pm with Barbara Snarr
Sandpoint
Sandpoint Urban Forestry Survey - participation available through (?)
Forestry Shortcourse- Sandpoint - Forestry shortcourse for Sandpoint, July 13, 10 am – 1 pm and July 20, 10 am - 1 pm, UI Organic Agriculture Center 10881 North Boyer Rd. Sandpoint.
Priest River
Timber Days - Priest River Timber Days Friday, July 29 - 30
Saint Maries
Forest Insect and Disease Field Day - IFOA Idaho Forest Owners Association Forest Insects and Disease Field Day, Friday, August 5, 8 am - 5 pm, Registration Brochure
Lewiston
Urban Forestry Commission Meeting July 27, 5:30 - 6:30 pm,1424 Main St. Lewiston, ID 83501
Boise
City of Trees Challenge - on-going challenge
Bogus Basin Nature Hike - Weekly Bogus Basin guided nature hikes, Saturdays and Sundays, 2 - 4:30 pm
Wood River Valley
Sawtooth Botanical Garden 27th Annual Garden Tour - Sawtooth Botanical Garden's 27th annual garden tour, July 23, 10 am -2 pm, featuring seven handpicked and outstanding landscapes in and around Hailey
White Bark Pine Restoration Project- Idaho Conservation League White Bark Pine Restoration Project at Railroad Ridge, Monday, July 18, 9:30 am – 4 pm Railroad Ridge Custer County
Other great resources:
Great Tree Industry Webinars
Urban Forestry Webinars
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