The Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is looking for additional volunteers to be a part of its Citizen Pruner program.

 

Begun in 2014, the Citizen Pruner program consists of volunteers trained to perform basic tree pruning needs on publicly owned property in local communities. 

 

Currently Becker, Big Lake, Clear Lake, Elk River, Princeton and Zimmerman partner with the SWCD and the U of M Minnesota Tree Care Advocate Program in the pilot program.

 

Citizen Pruners are trained in tree identification, biology, and pruning techniques. Tree pruning requires not only an understanding of how to prune, but also an understanding of tree biology to prevent the spread of certain diseases.

 

After training, volunteer pruners are provided the equipment needed, and typically work for 1½ to 2 hours pruning as a group in locations identified by SWCD. There are usually nine to 10 events scheduled each fall and spring in participating communities.

 

Along with pruning, volunteers also collect data and enter it into an online database. 

 

“The Citizen Pruner program is very valuable,” said Gina Hugo, resource conservationist from the SWCD. “It aids in keeping trees on landscapes for their entire lives. Trees don’t start really benefiting the environment until their trunks are eight inches around.”

 

Healthy trees play a vital role in communities. They improve air and water quality, lower air temperatures, reduce energy demand and beautify streets.

 

Clear Lake resident Barb Tucker has been a Citizen Pruner volunteer since the program’s beginning. Her grandfather had a nursery, so she grew up with gardening and taking care of things that needed to be done. 

 

“If we don’t take care of one thing it can affect another,” said Tucker. “A lot of it is education. We need to get the word out so people understand every little thing does make a difference.”

 

She said she would like to see neighborhoods get involved together, and kids get involved so they understand what they’re doing has a real purpose. 

 

 “When we’re pruning people will stop and ask what we’re doing,” she said. “It creates a bit of interest. It’s beautiful and rewarding.”

 

The program has already done a lot of good for local communities. In 2014 and 2015. 92 trees were pruned in Becker at the Becker Community Center, the Athletic Fields, River’s Edge Park and the Sherburne History Center. 

 

In Big Lake during the same time period, 117 trees were pruned at Lakeside Park, 172nd Ave., Lake Ridge Park and River Oaks Park.

 

The aide of citizens is needed more than ever as municipal budgets continue to be cut. Citizen Pruners manage small branches near the ground so tree care professionals can focus on higher large branches. The groundwork is vital not only to the health of the trees, but in clearing sight lines and blocked sidewalks.

 

The next Citizen Pruner training session will be held Oct. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Zimmerman. The cost to attend is $25. The course will be taught by U of M Urban Forestry Department staff.  

 

For training registration information, visit mntca.org/mcp-sherburne/ or contact Gina Hugo at the Sherburne SWCD: 763-567-5360 or ghugo@sherburneswcd.org