Ramsey Resident - 2009 - July/August

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Oak Wilt is a devastating disease of oak trees caused by a fungus that moves through the vascular system of a tree. As a defense mecha- nism, an infected oal( tree will plug up the water conducting vessels to try and contain the fungus. This prevents water and nutrients from reaching the leaves and ultimately results in the death of a tree. All oaks in this area are susceptible to oal( wilt; infected red and pin oal(s can die within just a few weeks of infection while white and bur oaks are somewhat more re- sistant and can survive several years before dying. Oak wilt can spread through grafted (connected) root systems and overland via certain insects. Differ- ent trees of lil(e species are capable of forming root grafts that essentially create one interconnected root system for two or more trees. If roots be- Peddlers and solicitors who wish to do business in Ramsey are required to obtain a permit. This includes anyone going door to door soliciting or taking orders for goods, wares and merchandise, or main- tenance or repair services, such as furnace cleaning, roof repair and blacktopping. This does not include anyone worl(ing on behalf of a bona fide charitable, religious, civic, edu- cational or political organization. In addition to a license, each peddler/solicitor is issued an identi- Public Notice Oak Wilt Season is Here tween an infected tree and a healthy tree are connected, the fungus can move through the root system into the healthy tree. Diseased red oaks may also produce fungal spore mats that attract certain sap beetles. These same sap beetles are also attracted to the sap that is exuded from fresh wounds (such as pruning cuts, wind damage, mechanical damage etc). Overland spread can also occur when certain insects visit freshly wounded oal( trees after visiting a spore mat. Root graft disruption is the most effective means of controlling oak wilt. Root graft disruption is accomplished by cutting the roots between diseased trees and healthy trees. This is commonly done by use of a vibratory plow or trench- ing machine. Chemical injections of healthy trees may also be used as a control measure. This is often done in conjunction with root graft disrup- tion to give the healthy trees a better Peddlers and Solicitors fication badge provided by the city. The badge includes the solicitor's name, business name, photo, and ex- piration date. All persons authorized to conduct door to door solicitation must be wearing this identification badge. The hours of activity are restricted to 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, un- less a previous appointment has been scheduled. Any resident of the city who wishes to exclude peddlers or solici- tors from their premises may place on or near their main entrance a printed ~ chance for survival. Another important step in the treatment process is removing infect- ed trees. After root graft disruption tal(es place, potential spore producing trees (trees that produce spore mats) should be removed to prevent over- land spreading. The wood should be disposed of by either chipping, debarking, or split into firewood size pieces and covered with a thick blacl( plastic tarp for at least one year (the edges of the tarp should be buried a couple of inches or completely secured flush to the ground). Please remember that pruning of oal( trees should be avoided from April through July, as that is when the sap feeding insects are most active. If you have a concern about oal( or any other tree related issues, please contact Environmental Coordinator Chris Anderson at 763-433-9905 or canders on@ci.ramsey.mn. us. placard or sign that says the follow- ing: "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohib- ited". (The sign must be at least 3 -1 /2 inches long and 3-1/2 inches wide and the printing must not be smaller than 49 point type.) Peddlers and solicitors are then prohibited from entering in or upon the premises. To report a peddler or so- licitor that is not complying with the city's requirements, please contact a Ramsey Police Officer immediately (24 hours a day), via dispatch at 763- 427-1212. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 13