Tree fans are being sought for a program designed to improve the future of young trees in public places. The “Volunteers In Pruning” (V.I.P.) program trains local tree fans to prune young trees for form and structure. The program targets trees that were planted within the last three years. This is the best time in the tree’s development to establish good tree form and correct any structural problems that can lead to future hazards or tree failure.
The V.I.P. project is sponsored by Community Canopy, a tree care education program of the cities of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Spokane, and the Spokane County Conservation District. These communities are pooling resources to train volunteers and supply them with the tools needed to do the pruning. Pruning work parties will take place starting in late fall and will extend into early spring. Each community’s forestry program will choose which public trees will be targeted for pruning. It is expected to be a combination of park trees and street trees. Those who take care of other trees in public places, such as church Trustees and Homeowners Association workers, are also encouraged to attend a training session.
Individuals who are 16 years of age or older and interested in the V.I.P. program are invited to attend a three-hour training session. The first training session will be held on Saturday, October 2nd at Hayden City Hall, starting at 9:00 a.m. A second training session will be held on Saturday, October 9th at the Spokane County Conservation District Office starting at 9:00 a.m. The training is free in exchange for putting in volunteer hours pruning public trees. Because of limited space, pre-registration is encouraged. Contact Katie at 208/415-0415 or Garth at 509/535-7274.
For more information, please call Karen Haskew at 769-2266 or email karenh@cdaid.org.
