Pruning reduces the length of branches to prevent breakage from heavy fruit years or weather and removes dead or diseased branches
On Monday (Jan. 30), the seven heritage trees at Parker’s Landing Historical Park in Washougal will receive a complimentary pruning from Cascade Tree works, LLC. This company also assisted with last year’s Clark County Heritage tree nomination. The heritage trees include a five apple tree orchard, a cherry tree and an English walnut, which is grafted on a black walnut tree because the black walnut tolerates poor soil.
Pruning reduces the length of branches to prevent breakage from heavy fruit years or weather and removes dead or diseased branches. During the recent high winds that slammed Washougal, one heritage apple lost a major branch.
Because of how damaging bad pruning can be, and how valuable trees are, it’s important to hire an local expert that has fruit tree pruning experience and is a certified arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Richard Kemmerly, the arborist for Cascade Treeworks, LLC is ISA certified.
Cascade Treeworks, LLC and other park partners (donors) are displayed on flyers near the water feature at the home of the heritage trees, Parker’s Landing Historical Park. The flyers suggest hiring park partners to thank them for their donations that protect and improve the park.
Advisory Committee Member Jeff Buchholz (grandson of park founder John Buchholz), commented on how happy he was with the quality of tree services provided by Cascade Treeworks at his home.
Kemmerly states two especially important reasons for tree pruning: maintenance and safety. Regular pruning also keeps trees healthy and vibrant.
When should you prune fruit trees in western Washington? Traditionally, it is done from mid-December to mid-April. Because walnut trees are susceptible to blight, major pruning is done during their dormant period. Summer pruning is harder on trees and shouldn’t be done during a drought.
Walnuts are a challenge to grow in the Northwest and so most commercial growers have given up. Because walnuts were once a large crop in the Northwest, there are plenty of articles on growing walnuts.
According to the Heritage Trees of Clark County website, “Often long-lived and large in size, trees may serve as living markers of times gone by or notable places. They may be associated with historic persons or events, or they may be unusual by their presence in this part of the world.”
The WSU Master Gardener Program of Clark County oversees the Heritage Tree Program. They will have a booth at the 2nd Annual Parkersville Day, on June 3, 2023. Their arborist will answer questions about the heritage trees, pruning, and will give a walking tour of the heritage trees while naming other trees at Parker’s Landing Historical Park
Learn more at the Second Annual Parkersville Day, on June 3, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Follow park activities at https://www.facebook.com/ParkersLandingHistoricalPark. If interested in volunteering, email ParkersvilleHeritageFoundation@gmail.com.
Also read:
- GoFundMe Spotlight: Vancouver man raising money to buy warm clothing for the homeless
Vancouver resident Cameron Murray is raising money through GoFundMe to purchase jackets and socks for the homeless, inspired by the life and struggles of his late brother Shelby. - Residents encouraged to reduce holiday waste by recycling natural Christmas trees
Clark County residents have multiple options to recycle natural Christmas trees after the holidays, helping reduce landfill waste and create reusable mulch. - County Elections Office closed Dec. 24-25
The Clark County Elections Office will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 and will reopen Dec. 26 with regular business hours. - Opinion: The unpreferred and unaffordable Interstate Bridge replacement proposal
Rep. John Ley argues that the Interstate Bridge Replacement proposal is unpreferred, unaffordable, and failing to address congestion, cost transparency, and community concerns. - POLL: If project costs continue to rise, what should lawmakers do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan?
This poll asks readers what lawmakers should do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan as costs rise and key decisions remain unresolved. - Clark County mourns loss of hometown hero and humanitarian Greg Biffle
Clark County is mourning Greg Biffle, the Camas High School graduate and NASCAR champion remembered not only for his racing career but for his humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts. - Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion.
