MEETING MINUTES

 

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Meeting Held Through Email Due to Coronavirus Restrictions

 

Attendees:

                                                           

Gabrielle Oldham       Dori Murphy

Ron Anderson             Kathie Jarmon

Michael Morgan         Tom Frederick

John Bennett                                      

 

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Tom reported on current status of funding available to the board.

 

Update on Big Tree Program:

 

John reported:

 

For Cecil County, John Hudock has been scouting various public areas in Cecil County and reports he has a potential new county champion European larch, boxelder, and river birch.

 

In Maryland volunteers measured or re-measured 13 trees, as follows:

 

8/4       Celeste Maiorana                    N. Red Oak                 Washington        305               re-m     WCC

8/4       ---------------------                    Com. Hackberry         Washington        271               re-m

8/4       ---------------------                    White Oak                   Washington        296 Bicen     re-m

8/7       Joli, Joan Mahaffey                Post Oak                      Prince George’s 240               re-m     PG

8/10     Celeste Maiorana                    Horsechestnut             Washington        211               re-m     WCC

8/10     ---------------                            Yellow Poplar             Washington        390 Bicen     re-m     WCC

8/10     ---------------                            Chinkapin Oak            Washington        292               re-m

8/10     ---------------                            White Oak                   Washington        265               re-m

8/10     ---------------                            White Oak                   Washington        330               re-m     WCC

8/18     Celeste Maiorana                    Bitternut Hickory        Washington        262               new     WCC

8/18     -----------------------                 Pecan                           Washington        293               new     WCC

8/26     Celeste Maiorana                    Chinkapin Oak            Washington        303               new     MSC

8/26     -----------------------                 Pawpaw                       Washington          76               re-m     WCC

 

--Sadly Celeste reports all 5 of Washington County’s ash trees are dead. In addition a silver maple and a Shumard oak located in the C & O Canal Park are also dead. The oak suffered a “death by beaver”, as the trunk’s bark was girdled. The good news is that Celeste had the largest number of trees to re-measure of any county, and she has completed her work!!!!

 

--In Baltimore County Linda has contacted all owners. She reports 3 trees are dead, including the Maryland State Champion Japanese chestnut—the only one on the register; and the county champion Kentucky coffeetree. As in many counties, there are a number of new owners, which complicates outreach. Linda has scheduled with Joli to re-measure the remaining trees on 9/10—with luck that will finish Baltimore County.

 

--In Frederick County Mike Kay is making plans now that Fall is here to re-measure Frederick’s trees, along with a newly nominated pin oak.

 

--“A voice from the past”—Dr. Joan Maloof has nominated and measured a black walnut in Worcester County. She will be mailing the forms to me.

 

--Joli is working on plans to complete the re-measurement work in AA County. There is a huge willow oak whose owners have not responded, but Joli’s Google map work shows the tree is alive and healthy, so she’s going to try a home visit.

 

New State Champion Chinkapin Oak, Hagerstown, 303 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Resources Career Conference (NRCC) Update:

 

No updates at this time.

 

 

Website Update:

 

Ron reported:   Not much happening with website - put in last month's minutes and this month's agenda.  As far as I know, there has been no change in the county's big tree champions.

 

New Business:

 

Tom reported:

 

The updates I have are that the Salvage Harvest is continuing at ENSP.  It is slow going, but is going pretty well so far.  Last week they started trucking logs out apparently going to a pallet manufacturer in PA.  From Mondays to Thursdays, 90% of my time has been spent on monitoring the harvest.  

 

Also beginning October 1st timber harvests on private land are going to be "reviewed" (not calling it inspected).  There is some disagreement on how much time this should take, but I guess we will see.  It will probably be different in different Counties.  Once we start meeting in person again, I will go over the basic process.  

 

Some late breaking news from Anne Gilbert:

 

The State Association meeting will be on Thursday, October 29th and will be virtual due to continuing DNR work/meeting restrictions.

 

Next Meeting:                        October 7, 2020