Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/06/1997

Home

We would like to assure you of several things. 1) Under this permit we can not estabhsh any sort of commercial operation other than the sate of Christmas trees and associated items. 2) The sales office could only be used on a seasonal basis. Establishment of any other type of commercial operation would not be permitted. Besides trees and wreaths, we will sell additional items such as tree stands, decorations and if we're successful - gifts. 3) Activity on the property will continue primarily as it has been in the past. Customers come primarily on the weekends, Thanksgiving to Christmas. 4) We make every effort to keep our farm looking neat and clean and moving our equipment inside wilt help. The pole barn will be 100 feet from the-road and screened from view by our big trees. Basically the permit will allow us to keep doing what we currently are doing and build a storage building and sales office. We would also like to take this oppommity to remind you that we have no objections to neighbors visiting our property at any time. Feel free to walk around .and enjoy the woods, we know the enjoyment it provides because that is much of our motivation for being in the tree business. We know many of you use our trails to walk your dogs and our property is a great place for kids to mn around and play in the woods. We do ask you to respect the land. Please don't litter, don't cut or dig any trees without permission, and be extremely careful with smoking materials. Also, no recreational vehicles (snowmobiles, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers ... ) on the property. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our application for this permit or anything else related to our tree farm please feel free to give either of us a call. Finally, information on a different matter. A number of you have expressed concern about Scotch pine trees that have been dying in the area. Most of this has been caused by the "pine root collar weevil", an insect that can infect any pine, but mostly attacks and k/Ils Scotch pine. This insect lives in the moist duff (accumulated/decaying dead needles, grass and leaves) around the base of the tree. This insect attacks the tree at the base by eating through the bark to feed on the sap. Norway (red) pine, jack pine and white pine are quite resistant to this insect, and it does not attack any of the other trees such as spruce, fir or any hardwoods. There are several things that will greatly reduce the chance of your trees being infected and k/lied. 1) Prune off the lower branches (3 to'4 feet up) and rake away the needles from around the base of your Scotch pine trees. If you have grass growing at the base, keep it mowed. This will eliminate the insect's breeding ground and keep them away from your trees. Cutting off the lower branches and mowing the grass allows air to circulate and dry out the area. 2) Keep your trees well watered when it has been dry. Trees are espedally susceptible to attack when they are under the stress of drought. 3) Don't plant Scotch pine. Norway (red) pine and jack pine are your best choices given the kind of soil we have in this area if you want to plant a pine. White, Black Hills, and Colorado blue spruce and juniper also should grow well for you. Hansen Tree Farm has been in our family since t951 when our father and grandfather planted their ftrst trees here. Our children are now helping us with the farm and we hope to pass it on to them some day. Please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. Dave and Mark Hansen Hansen Tree Farm I I I; I I I I I I I I