Environment Committee (Kathy Urberg, Chair)

Implements LHiNC/NRP projects related to the lakes, parks, or environmental health of the neighborhood. Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Linden Hills Park at 7:00 p.m. Visit our calendar to confirm dates.

POSTPONED: Ice Cream & Water Schemes
New date and time to be announced soon...
- Join us for free ice cream and seminars about improving water quality.

EcoParents
The LHiNC Environment Committee has received a grant from Hennepin County through Community POWER (Partners on Waste Education and Reduction) and the Hendry Family Foundation to start one or more “Linden Hills EcoParents” groups this fall. The groups will meet monthly to learn both large and small steps residents can take to reduce their families’ household waste and toxicity. It’s a great way for parents to get acquainted with Linden Hills neighbors while learning how to live more lightly on the planet. For more information, please click here.

Elm Tree Treatments
The Enviroment Committee is now assisting with prevention of Dutch Elm Disease.

Did You Know Your Trees Could Be Worth
More Than $20,000 in Increased Property Value?
...And Their Health Depends on You?

Value is based on species, maturity, health, enhancement to your property and more. But the True Value of your trees is that they provide shade, help produce clean air and purer water, reduce pollution and make Linden Hills Village a great place to live. Be a good neighbor and invest a little time and effort in caring for your trees. Here's How:

Caring for Your Trees

Water
During the first three years after planting regular watering is necessary. In general, trees should get one inch of water a week. Let a hose trickle on the root zone for one to two hours. Water where the roots are. In the first year or so, they are just in the root ball that was planted. Be sure to extend the watering out as the roots grow out into the surrounding soil.

Mulch
Mulch should be no more than about 3 inches deep and should NOT touch the trunk. Mulch touching the trunk promotes fungal diseases and stem girdling roots. Spread out those volcanoes. The use of mulch has been shown to double the growth rate of trees during the first few years following planting.

Pruning
Remove dead wood any time of year. DO NOT cut into live wood of elm and oak from April through July to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease and Oak Wilt.

Watch Out For:

  • Damage by lawnmowers and string trimmers. The damage can kill your tree over time, even if you don't see a wound on the trunk. More trees are killed each year from string trimmers than from insects and disease combined. Remind your lawn service to take care.
  • Compacting soil around your tree. This can happen by driving equipment over the root zone or piling heavy materials there. The damage may not be evident for several years.
  • Winter salt around your trees. Winter salt causes damage to the trees. Try to keep winter salt off areas around trees.

For more information on trees the following websites have reliable information:

The hazard tree web page: www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hazard_tree/
University of Minnesota Forestry Resources: www.cnr.umn.edu/FR/extension/
U of M Yard and Garden Line: www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/

Or call the Master Gardener Hotline at 612-596-2118.