Category: Communities

Horticulturist gives tips for dealing with storm-damaged trees, gardens

A late-spring stretch of stormy weather may mean damaged trees and gardens for homeowners. Kansas State University horticulturist Ward Upham provided tips for pruning damaged trees and assessing and helping garden plants survive the weather.

Storm-damaged trees

“If a tree is damaged, you often will have to decide whether it can be saved or not,” said Upham, who is the coordinator of K-State’s Horticulture Rapid Response Center. He provided five tips for the care of storm-damaged trees.

1. Be safe. Check for downed power lines or hanging branches. Don’t venture under the tree until it is safe. If large limbs are hanging precariously, a certified arborist has the tools, training and knowledge to do the work safely. It can be a dangerous task if you are not experienced in this field, which is why it is best to leave this to specialised tree removal companies, to remove any a large branches or debris that are causing any obstructions in your garden.

2. Cleanup. Remove debris so you don’t trip over it.

3. Decide if it is feasible to save the tree. If the bark has been split so the cambium – the cell layer underneath the outer and inner bark – is exposed or the main trunk is split, the tree probably will not survive and should be removed.

The cambium is the growing part of the tree trunk. If so many limbs are broken that the tree’s form is destroyed, replacement is the best option.

Topping, where all the main branches are cut, leaving only stubs, is not a recommended pruning procedure. Though new branches will normally arise from the stubs, they will not be as firmly attached as the original branches and are more likely to break in subsequent storms. Also, the tree must use a lot of energy to develop new branches, leaving less to fight off diseases and insect attacks. Often, the topped tree’s life is shortened.

4. Prune broken branches to the next larger branch or to the trunk. If cutting back to the trunk, do not cut flush with the trunk but rather at the collar area between the branch and the trunk. Cutting flush with the trunk leaves a much larger wound than cutting at the collar and takes longer to heal.

Middle-aged or younger vigorous trees can have up to one-third of the crown removed and still make a surprisingly swift comeback.

5. Take large limbs off in stages. If you try to take off a large limb in one cut, it will often break before the cut is finished and strip bark from the tree.

Instead, first make a cut about 15 inches from the trunk. Start from the bottom and cut one-third of the way up through the limb. Make the second cut from the top down but start 2 inches further away from the trunk than the first.

The branch will break away as you make the second cut. The third cut, made at the collar area, removes the stub that is left.

“Pruning can be dangerous,” Upham said. “Consider hiring a trained arborist to do major work such as this.”

He noted that a good arborist knows how to prune trees so that storm breakage is less likely to occur. Preventing damage is better than trying to fix it once it has happened, he said, noting that the Arbor Day Foundation maintains a website http://www.arborday.org/media/stormindex.cfm with detailed information.

Storm-damaged gardens

High winds, excessive rainfall and hail can wreak havoc in any garden. Upham provided tips to assess damage and help fragile plants recover.

Heavy rain: The force of rainfall pounding the soil can result in a thick crust that prevents seed emergence and partially blocks oxygen from reaching roots. A light scraping after the soil surface has dried is all that is needed to correct these problems. Be careful of deep tilling as it may damage young, tender roots.

Standing water: Standing water cuts off oxygen to the roots, which can result in plant damage if it doesn’t drain quickly enough. Most plants can handle 24 hours of standing water without harm. Hot, sunny weather can make a bad situation worse if the water becomes hot enough to ‘cook’ the plants. In this case, there isn’t much that can be done unless a channel is cut to
allow the water to drain.

Hail damage: Plants should recover quickly as long as the leaves only were damaged by the hail as leaves regenerate quickly. The situation becomes more serious if the stems and fruit were damaged. Plants can recover from a few bruises but if it looks like they were mowed down by a weed whip, it’s time to replant with new ones.

Leaning plants: Either wind or water can cause plants to lean. They should start to straighten after a few days. Don’t try to bend them back as they often break easily.

More information about growing and maintaining landscapes is available on the K-State Research and Extension horticulture website: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=24.

Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby to be June 14

The Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. June 14 at Wyandotte County Lake, 91st and Leavenworth Road.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. Events are at the kids’ pond at the lake.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. Prizes include two bicycles, passes to Schlitterbahn, tabletop grills, lawn chairs and gift cards. Every kid gets a goodie bag, bait and a free hot dog.

The event is free for all Wyandotte County youth ages 3-15.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/LRA/236528312965 or call 913-788-3988.

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to news@wyandottepublishing.com and include your name and phone number.

Sign up for library’s reading program
The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library’s summer reading program has started signing up readers. The program runs from June 1 to July 31. Participate at any of the five library branches. After signing up, participants may start logging books on June 1. For more information, visit the website at www.kckpl.org.

Addictions support group to meet
“All Addictions Group,” a free support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register online at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

Workshop concentrates on relationships
A workshop to improve relationships is planned from June 6 to July 25. The seven-week workshop will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No meeting on July 4. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, the workshop for individuals, “Within My Reach,” will include activities and discussions about communication, problem solving, expectations and creating and maintaining a loving relationship. The workshop will be at Catholic Charities, Keeler Conference Office, 2220 Central Ave. Preregistration is required to 913-621-5775 or www.KansasLoveLetters.com.

Support group to meet June 9

The Kansas City, Kan., National Alliance on Mental Illness Support and Education Group will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Fred Hahn will speak about Alzheimer’s disease. Special guest will be Rick Cagan, executive director of NAMI Kansas. The meetings are designed to bring together persons with questions about mental illness. For more information, call 913-299-8490.

Armourdale Optimist Club to meet June 10
The Armourdale Optimist Club will hold its bimonthly luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. June 10 at 1206 Osage Ave. in the Armourdale area of Kansas City, Kan. The speakers will be 2nd District Unified Government Commissioner Brian McKiernan and Bundy Jenkins. The luncheon cost is $7 per person. The meal consists of a full roast beef dinner, roasted asparagus, fresh veggie and fruit trays with dip. assorted soft drinks and desserts.

Free summer movies offered
The Legends 14 Theatres will present “Ramona and Beezus” rated G and “The Lorax” rated PG as free movies at 10 a.m. June 10, 11 and 12. Admission is free. All ages and groups are welcome. Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is limited to availability. The current feature films are not included in the free admission, and the schedule is subject to change.

Police chief to speak at Women’s Chamber meeting
Ellen Hanson, Kansas City, Kan., interim chief of police, will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, June 11, at the meeting of the KCK Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Hanson is the retired chief of police of Lenexa, Kan., and interim chief in Kansas City, Kan. She will speak about her career and how she succeeded in a male-dominated field. The networking session is from 11:30 a.m. to noon followed by lunch and program from noon to 1 p.m. June 11 at Dave and Busters, The Legends Outlets, Village West. The cost for lunch is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. There will be a fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Guests are welcome, but reservations are required by emailing Barbara Newby at btnewbyks@gmail.com or calling 913-485-1208 or Ardith Deason at deason_a@wmhci.org -telephone, 913-233-3305.

Anger management class offered
“Anger Management for Healthier Living” will be presented by Kirsten Stidham, Keeler intern, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Governor to speak at Fairfax meeting
Gov. Sam Brownback will be the guest speaker at the June 12 meeting of the Fairfax Industrial Association. The governor may speak between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. June 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Doors will open for the lunch event at 11 a.m. Serving will begin at 11:15 a.m. Those interested in attending may make reservations by 3 p.m. June 10 to Chuck Schlittler, executive director, at execdir@fiakck.org.

Rosedale group to meet
The Rosedale Development Association will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at 1401 Southwest Blvd. The guest speaker will be David Allen, energy specialist at the Board of Public Utilities, who will talk about ways to save energy and money. Reservations are requested. For information, call 913-677-5097.

Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby to be June 14
The Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. June 14 at Wyandotte County Lake, 91st and Leavenworth Road. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Events are at the kids’ pond at the lake. Prizes and trophies will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. Prizes include two bicycles, passes to Schlitterbahn, tabletop grills, lawn chairs and gift cards. The event is free for all Wyandotte County youth ages 3-15. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/LRA/236528312965 or call 913-788-3988.

Father’s Day run June 14 benefits three charities
The Kevin Gray Father’s Day 5k run-walk on Saturday, June 14, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., was created to honor the former KC Sports Commission president and father of four daughters, Kevin Gray. Gray died on June 15, 2011, from a rare form of cancer. The run-walk started in 2012. This run has three beneficiaries, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Online registration is open until June 11. Registration will still be accepted on Friday, June 13, at packet pickup and on race day. The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Sporting Park. To register go to SportKC.org.

Colyer to speak at health care summit June 14
A Health Care Solutions Summit is planned from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Painted Hills Golf Club, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Sponsored by Leavenworth and Wyandotte County Republican groups, the guest speaker for the luncheon will be Dr. Jeff Colyer, Kansas lieutenant governor. A panel will discuss health care issues. A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. and the program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost of the full program with lunch is $25. The requested donation without lunch is $2.

Mental Health First Aid Day planned
Kansas City’s first Mental Health First Aid Day is planned for Thursday, July 10. Six sites throughout metropolitan Kansas City, including one in Kansas City, Kan., are participating in the event. It is sponsored by the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers. The goal of the event is to teach mental health first aid and youth mental health first aid courses at no cost to more than 250 people. It would be the largest number of people to train at one time in the metropolitan area. In Kansas City, Kan., a class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 at the Kansas City, Kan., Public School Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. Participants will learn what to do if an adult or child is experiencing a mental health crisis. The course teaches about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, gives confidence to reach out to people in need, and skills to respond to a mental health crisis. Participants will receive a manual and certificate upon successful completion of the course, and information about accessing local services. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Those who are interested in attending the course may contact Beth Yoder Stein at yoderstein_b@wmhci.org or Mark Wiebe at wiebe_m@wmhci.org.

Night Charity Golf Tournament planned
A Night Charity Golf Tournament is planned on Friday, July 18, at Painted Hills Golf Course, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The event is sponsored by Greater Kansas City Civitan International and Civitan Club Dotte. It will benefit local charities. The cost of the event is $125 per person, which includes supplies, green fees, cart, dinner, awards reception, trophies and prizes. After June 18, registration fee is $150. Sponsorships are available. It is a four-person singles paired or scramble. Registration is at 5 p.m., followed by a shotgun start at 6 p.m. The Night Golf has a shotgun start at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 913-208-3533 or email DrRonWitt@hotmail.com.

Museum plans lock-in
An all-night lock-in is planned from 7 p.m. July 18 to 8 a.m. July 19 at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 126th and State. The event on July 18 is for girls ages 8 to 12. A safe night at the museum, tour, hands-on projects, evening snacks and a movie are planned. Boys will have a similar event on July 25. The cost is $25 per child. One adult must attend. Reservations are required. For information, call 913-573-5002.

Program offered on cropping systems
K-State Research and Extension is offering a workshop on “Low-till/No-till Cropping Systems” on July 21 in Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.growinggrowers.org.

African-American Art Festival planned Aug. 9
The MoKan African-American Art Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Quindaro Park, 35th and Sewell, Kansas City, Kan. Those attending the free event may bring a blanket, enjoy artwork, stilt walkers Gullah basket weathers, African drummers and dancers, food and vendors. For more information about having an art exhibit there or being a vendor, contact 913-788-7330.