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Cascade County

Defending against the wind

Published: 2019
By Rose Malisani
The mighty winter winds in Cascade County present issues with erosion, high utility bills, and snow drifting for many Cascade County residents. The educational opportunity and need to bring an MSU Extension specialist was very clear after a long, cold, snowy February with drastically increased interest to grow shelterbelts and windbreaks. Rose Malisani, MSU Extension Cascade County Agriculture Agent and Peter Kolb, PhD, MSU Extension Forestry Specialist, partnered to conduct a hands-on workshop about shelterbelts and tree care. Malisani began with an interactive presentation on how to plan a shelterbelt, from tree and shrub selection and planting, to shelterbelt maintenance and care. Kolb’s presentation began in the classroom where he spoke about the functions of trees and woody ornamentals, and how trees grow to defend against insects and diseases. Attendees enjoyed learning how to prune and shape trees for growth, fruit production, and stability. The second portion of Kolb’s presentation was hands-on and outdoors to prune both deciduous and coniferous trees. Kolb illustrated the tools of the trade, from hand-held pruners to a chainsaw, and how to make the proper cuts when pruning. He spoke about safety and tree health while attendees asked questions and helped prune. The workshop was interactive and extremely educational. A USDA employee stated, "I will be able to work better with the public in terms of shelterbelt and windbreak establishment because of this educational program." The outcomes from the workshop provide value in more people knowing how to properly plan, plant, and care for a shelterbelt or windbreak, and those people finding more success in tree establishment to save on plant replacement and even energy costs with a successful shelterbelt.
Peter Kolb teaching tree pruning in Great Falls. Photo by Rose Malisani