DUMMERSTON — On Tuesday, July 25, Kevin Brewer, Northeast regional technical manager for Arborjet/Ecologel, and Pete Butler of Strategic Vegetation Management will be providing a special treatment for an iconic ash tree located on Putney Mountain Association's Missing Link trail.
According to a news release, this event "presents a valuable opportunity for local arborists and nature lovers to learn more about preservation and treatment for this magnificent ash tree. Research shows that environmentally sound trunk injections not only help save trees, but are far more cost-effective than removal and replacement. Saving mature trees also helps to reduce CO2 production, energy costs, and stormwater runoff while maintaining property values."
This 200-year old ash tree holds significant importance. According to the county forester, it has been classified as the third largest ash tree in Vermont, measuring 94 feet tall, 71 inches wide, and 65.5 inches in diameter. This tree has been nominated as part of Arborjet/Ecologel's Saving America's Iconic Trees initiative, which aims to ensure the health and longevity of the country's most beloved trees that live in public parks, gardens, and other historic sites.
As part of the program, this tree will continue to receive complementary treatments for the next 10 years. "Designed to protect against invasive insects, disease, and bolster the overall health of the tree, treatment will help maintain its historic status for generations to come," according to Arborjet.
Beyond the Iconic Tree Program, Arborjet/Ecologel provides numerous educational opportunities by funding university research and student scholarships in arboriculture, horticulture, entomology, and environmental science. The company has been helping to mitigate the devastation of invasive species, saving trees in over 150 municipalities across the country.
Anyone interested is encouraged to attend to learn more about the significance of preserving trees as well as facts and insights about the trunk-injection process. The meeting point will be at the northern terminus of the Missing Link trail at noon. Park at the trailhead on 645 Hague Rd. (close to the end of Hague Road). Be prepared for an hour-long hike up the trail with spectacular views of Black Mountain and the West River Valley.