Tree Health Care Class
How to Plant, Prevent Tree Damage, Prune, Avoid Common Tree Health Problems, and more …
All About Caring for the Trees in Your Backyard
*The program was originally scheduled at Henderson County Library auditorium on Washington St., but due to construction at the library, the venue has been changed to the Operations Center on Williams St.*
While the trees in our neighborhoods and on private property provide benefits and beauty to humans and wildlife, the care and maintenance of those trees falls on the property owner. Many questions and concerns about how best to care for trees and shrubs will be answered at a program on Monday, February 26, at Hendersonville Operations Center, 305 Williams St., 5 to 6:30 p.m. (The program was originally scheduled at Henderson County Library auditorium on Washington St., but due to construction at the library, the venue has been changed to the Operations Center on Williams St.)
Steve Pettis, well-known local expert, will share knowledge and experience on the subject using visual and descriptive methods. Pettis is a long-time agricultural advisor in his role as Henderson County agent of the N.C. State Cooperative Extension. He will discuss how to plant a tree properly, how to prevent tree damage, the art of proper pruning, preventing common tree health problems, including wooly adelgid infestation, and more. The program is sponsored by Hendersonville Tree Board in partnership with NCSCE and is open to the public at no charge. “I call it my ‘Tree Health Care’ class,” Pettis said. “In the class I help homeowners understand some of the common problems and threats to healthy trees and teach techniques to help improve tree health. Protecting the overall tree canopy of Henderson County is an important part of my work.”
On behalf of Hendersonville’s Tree Board, City staff submitted a grant proposal in 2023 to fund a tree canopy survey. The grant was received and the tree canopy survey is now underway. The Tree Board’s request for the survey was in response to an up-tick in urban development in and around Hendersonville.
“Maintaining a healthy tree canopy in Hendersonville is important for many reasons,” said Tree Board chair Mac Brackett. “Attendees can learn how new trees, properly planted and maintained, can restore our canopy, and how to deal with the health issues of older, mature trees in our historic neighborhoods. This program is set up to help us all care for and sustain a healthy tree canopy in Hendersonville.”
Attendees will also learn how to apply to get free trees on private properties through the NeighborWoods program, and hear details about the new Bradford Pear Bounty program, in which a new native tree will be given to replace a Bradford Pear tree cut down on your property.
Hendersonville Tree Board is commissioned by the City of Hendersonville to provide advice on the selection and care of trees and shrubs and to provide information concerning the economic and aesthetic benefits of trees and shrubs for the community. The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Hendersonville as a Tree City USA for over 30 years because of its high level of tree care.
To learn more about Hendersonville Tree Board and its projects, visit the webpage at http://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/tree-board.