By The Numbers

An article on trees that is informative and entertaining without beating me over the head with the Emerald Ash Borer? It is possible, and we are going to sidestep the little pest as much as possible, I promise.

Recently we at Grass Masters undertook a tree inventory in Algona, in an effort to record both the types of trees growing in town, and their number. Those trees recorded were limited by two factors: deciduous only were counted, and only those deciduous trees growing in the right-of-way or boulevard.

After nearly two days of driving every street in the city limits while yelling tree names at each other and making tally marks on notepaper until our hands were stiff with writer's cramp, we were ready to review our findings.

In total, nearly 2200 trees shading the streets and sidewalks of Algona were counted, and of that 2200, more than 30 species were identified. That is a number to be proud of, but before I celebrate diversity, I must address one question; Namely, how does one identify trees in midwinter, when the leaves have long-since dropped and been carried away? Good question. There are several factors that help determine the trees identity. First is the bark pattern; Is it tight to the trunk and horizontally wrapped like most Birch and members of the genus Prunus, or rough and warty like a Hackberry? Second is the branching; are the leaves, buds and twigs arranged alternately, like an Oak or Honey Locust, or opposite from each other, as a Maple or Viburnum? Third is an examination of bud and bundle scars which is truly too boring for words.

Science lessons aside, the results of our survey revealed some interesting observations; In the eastern and south-eastern portion of town, trees over 35 years of age were quite scarce. Anyone who was in Algona the evening of June 28, 1979 can tell you exactly why. In the central sections of town, Black and Sugar Maple were well mixed with Walnut and Bur Oak. In the newer development areas, the numbers of Freeman Maple, River Birch and Serviceberry showed a marked increase. A handful of uncommon street trees, including one Ohio Buckeye, one Corkscrew Willow, and one Bitternut Hickory were also noted.

In short, a marked level of diversity in types of trees planted was apparent. And yet of those 30-odd species, and out of those 2200 trees, nearly one in every three of those trees belonged to just two species; Green and White Ash. The two species MOST appetizing to the EAB. And this is where we are no longer able to sidestep the issue. While our immediate area doesn't have the type of monoculture that exists in some other cities, one out of every three trees that line our sidewalks and roadways is a potential meal for this pest. The numbers don't lie....we counted.