D6-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 1, 1998
ROCKSPRING (Centre Co.)
Getting a bad haircut is just a
temporary condition in which
the hair grows back none the
worse for wear. But removing
the entire canopy of a tree a
practice called “topping” has
much more lasting and some
times fatal consequences,
according to an arborist in Penn
State’s College of Agricultural
Sciences.
“Topping trees is not prun
ing,” said Bill Elmendorf,
instructor and coordinator of the
urban and community forest
program in the School of Forest
Resources. “It is indiscriminate,
drastic cutting and a reduction
in the tree’s energy-producing
factory the canopy.”
Elmendorf says cutting the
central trunk and tops of main
branches severely weakens a
tree by removing both leaves
and stored carbohydrates.
Topping reduces a tree’s ability
to generate food and energy by
photosynthesis.
“Topping is really the ulti
mate in tree abuse,” Elmendorf
said. “It’s usually done by
unqualified and unknowledge
able tree cutters. In some cases,
qualified arborist top trees at
the insistence of homeowners
who don’t understand the dam
age they are paying to have done
to their tree.”
Elmendorf lists several condi
tions caused by topping trees.
•Unsafe structure.
Elmendorf said topping trees
leaves large wounds that are
open to decay and insects, ulti
mately weakening the tree’s
structure. “The tree also will
develop ‘water sprouts’ which
are weakly attached branches,”
he said.
•Decline in health. In addi
tion to losing the leaves’ ability
to produce food, topping causes
the tree to use valuable food
store in the trunk to regrow
limbs. Limb removal causes sun
scald of the remaining limbs as
well.
•Ugliness. “Topping destroys
the tree’s form and symmetry,”
Elmendorf said.
•Decline in value. Altering
the shape, structure and health
of the tree by topping means a
large ornamental tree can lose
thousands of dollars in value.
•More frequent utility prun
ing. “Water sprouts grow faster
and more thickly,” Elmendorf
said. “That makes utility line
clearance more difficult, more
frequent, and more expensive.”
According to Elmendorf, most
homeowners top trees because
ly CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT
1976 Mack Tri-Axle Dump
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EM6-300 Engine,
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44,000/Rears Just PA-
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Some Off The Top Is Great
But Bad For Trees
Taking
ircuts,
For Ha
they see other trees that have
been topped, or they fear a large
tree may blow over onto a house
or garage.” A topped tree with
damaged and weakened struc
ture is much more likely to blow
over than a healthy tree,” he
said.
Elmendorf offers a few tips on
avoiding the decision to top
trees
•Plant the right tree in the
right place. “Don’t plant large
trees like oaks, tulip, poplars,
and sycamores under power
lines or near buildings and
signs,” Elmendorf said. “Choose
smaller tree species for small
area or sidewalk planting
areas.”
•Buy quality nursery stock.
Choose a tree that is healthy
and has good structure.
•Prune trees when they are
young. “Trees should be pruned
when they are three to five years
old,” Elmendorf recommends. “It
promotes good structure, saves
Products Field Day Topic
MENCH (Bedford Co.)
Adding value to pasture-raised
sheep and poultry products will be
highlighted at an Aug. 14 field day
at the Willow Springs Farm of
Kate and Dale Thomsen in Bed
ford County.
The field is sponsored by Penn
sylvania Association for Sustain
able Agriculture (PASA) and will
begin at 1 p.m.
Willow Springs Farm is a grass
based sheep, dairy, market lamb,
and pastured poultry family farm
outside of Everett Kate and Dale
began farming on this 83-acre
farm in 1988 and began the sheep
dairy in 1996. They raise 85 ewes,
30 feeding only pasture and hay.
The Thomsens also grow 500-700
chickens totally on pasture.
Chicken manure is the sole source
of pasture fertilization.
The field day will look at the
integration of this diversified,
holistic system which features
value-added direct market strate
gies. They have the sheep milk
processed into cheese which is
sold locally, in Pittsburgh, and on
the Internet The poultry and lamb
is processed at a local butcher and
sold locally along with the eggs
BUY. SELL. TRADE OR RENT THROUGH THE ——^
PHONE: 717-626-1164 or 717-394-3047
FAX 717-733-6058
Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 8 AM to 5 PM; Thurs. 7 AM to 5 PM
1961 Euclid R-22; 743 Cl
Cummins, new clutch, se
als, recent vavle job, good
tires, runs good $12,500.
(717)872-8888.
1989 Clark Forklift
SOOOIbs. Newmatic Tires,
Uses Propane or Un
leaded MINT CONDI
TION! $8,200/obo.
(717)367-0848
Adding Value To Farm
555 JO crawler loader,
bucket open, good shape,
$19,500 080.
717-755-6062
1980 953 Cat loader, over
all condition, very good
tracks 75%, $45,000. 16
ton tag-a-long trailer, very
good condition, $4OOO.
717-875-2558
money, and causes small prun
ing wounds.”
•Prune correctly. Elmendorf
says all tree pruning should be
in accordance with the mainte
nance guidelines of the
International Society of
Arboriculture. For more infor
mation about the society and its
recommendations, call (217)
355-9411.
•Hire a qualified arborist.
Elmendorf suggests getting
three bids from local tree ser
vices. Be sure to contact refer
ences from the arborist’s past
work. Ask to see proof of liability
insurance and worker’s compen
sation insurance.
“Why pay for an inferior ser
vice that destroys your tree?”
Elmendorf said. “Find a quali
fied arborist who knows proper
and safe tree care techniques. In
tree work, taking the lowest
price isn’t necessarily good. In
some cases, you get what you
pay for destroyed trees.”
produced.
The field day will also focus on
the pasture system, including
fencing and low-cost watering
equipment There will also be an
opportunity tour the milking par
lor and observe the afternoon
milking.
The Thomsens are a fine ex
ample of integrating agriculture
and community, according to
PASA Executive Director Tim
Bowser: “They put meaning into
local agriculture by emphasizing
local sales and community con
nections. They insist on support
ing local businesses such as their
butcher, and invite their customers
to come to the farm anytime to see
how they produce their animals. It
is a great alternative for people
who want to know where their
food comes from.’ 1
Directions to Willow Springs
Farm: Everett is located on Rt. 30
and RL 26 adjacent to the turn
pike. From downtown Everett,
head south on Rl 26. Take the
first left, soon after passing under
the turnpike, at sign stating Mench
“3 miles.” In Mench turn left at
the four-way. Farm lane is two
miles on left. Look for signs.
1989 410-CTLB Cleanl
$16,500. (717)684-5895.
After 4 00PM
1990 CAT 953 loader,
LGP, excellent condition,
$56,000. (301)371-5500.
450 JD Loader w/Back-hoe
Attatchment, New Bottom.
(610)856-1213.
71 Eager Beaver 18-ton
tandem tag-a-long trailer,
ramps, good tires, $3BOO.
410-893-2405
73 IH Deisel, Single Axle
Dump Truck. 10’ Box.
$4,500/obo.; Case 580
Super E Backhoe, Cab.
$lB,OOO. (717)433-4518.
81 Mack. New, 9’ Dump,
350 9spd. New Caps,
Rear, New Front Equiped
to Tow Tag-Trailer. New
Paint. Centro-Co.
(814)422-8267.
033 Cat loader 11A1764,
trans. has crack on bottom,
runs, operates, very good
parts machine.
717/834-9861.
AC New-Matic Fork-Lift.
Gasoline, 2,0001b5. Ca
pacity. Good Condition.
$2,000. (215)723-0540.
BOBCAT SKID LOADER
943, 1,879/hrs. 74hp Per
kins Diesel, w/Root Rake &
Cab Enclosure. Solid Rub
ber Industrial Wheels.
$12,800. (814)793-9369.
Case 1737 Uniloader gas,
$3,695. Hough loaders: (1)
w/Wainroy backhoe (1)
30R, good shape, new tires
(1) parts machine- all three
$4,995. 580 CK parts ma
chine, extend-ahoe, diesel,
whole or parts.
(301)416-2544.
Cat 06 bulldozer w/hyd.
blade & Cat double drum
cable control; Cat 60
scraper. All in good work
ing condition. $7500 080.
717/938-2241.
Cat V5O Pneumatic tire
forklift, 2-stage mast,
50001 b cap., LP, hydro, PS,
full cab, dual drive, $3BOO.
717/949-3582.
D 66 76A5681, 12' manual
angle dual hyd. tilt, ROPS,
pins, bushings turned,
pads 85%, good running
machine, $14,500.
717/834-9861.
DISMANTLING FOR
PARTS; IH 3514 Backhoe.
Gear Drive w/Forward &
Reverser. Good Engine &
Backhoe Parts Available,
Call For Parts, Prices &
Availability. BALANDA
EQUIPMENT RT 29, Palm.
PA (800)322-8030.
Ditch Witch w/all attach
ments, excellent condition,
$4,000. (609)697-2004.
Drott 50 Excavator Good
Tight Machine, Ready for
Work. $9,500
(610)847-8704.
Ingersol Rand 100CFM
compressor, Deutz diesel,
$lBOO. 717/336-7375 No
Sunday Calls.
JD 300 Backhoe good
Condition $8,900; CAT 933
F—Loader w/Wench,
Good Condition- $8,500.
(610)469-9445.
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*j 1988 MACK RD6BBSX 350 - 8 Speed LL J
£ Very, Very Good Condition J
S $45,000 080 5
a No Calls After 9:00 pm g
8. 410-557-9559 «
Int Tractor Loader Backhoe
Diesel, Full Cab
717/529-2512 No Sunday Calls
Economy Polecat Scissors
Lift, 10' working height, 2 to
choose from, $9OO/each.
717/336-7375 No Sunday
Calls.
Forklift Wholesalers 2000
to 92000 Lb. Lifts Avail
able. 70 in Stock. Sale-
Rental-Finance w /
Warranty. Chalk Equip
ment (410)686-6800.
Hydroseeder Reinco
10EG, 1000 gallon, Wis
consin engine, good oondi
tion, $12,500/offer.
(301)384-4846.
Parting out IHC TD6 T-9
TD9, 150 loader. 2500
backhoe, Weaver 90001 b
truck lift twin post elec.,
hyd. Som. Co.,NJ
908/658-3414.
Portable tow-behind air
compressor, roter type,
diesel powered. A&C Dif
fenbach Auction Inc,
(717)335-7253.
Titan Airless Paint Sprayer.
Epic 660 EX Slightly Used.
Sells New For $1799. Will
Sell For $llOO.
(717)626-3333.A5k For
Rental.
| FORKLIFT |
Yale, Propane
Powered, Good
Operating
Condition.
$l5OO
717/533-7377
Mark Supply
Company
Construction
Rosco Mod #BHB Mobil
Broom w/Cab $7,500
1988 MEC Mod #22OTMM,
22’ Scissor Lift $4,500
1995 Stratolift Mod #KRX2O
20' Scissor Lift $7,500
1995 Oig-lt Tractor Loader
Backhoe, 18 HP $8,995
1994 Terramite Tractor
Loader Backhoe, 20 HP
$9,500
1989 Mod #lO-10 Ditch
$2,600
Witch 3’ Boom
Smith 160 CFM Air
Compressor, Gas $2,995
(814) 658-3066
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