Pruning, Trees, and Paper...How Do They Go Together?

   

February seemed like the perfect month to show our Extension Office landscape some love, teach our youth the importance of trees and pruning, and throw in a couple of more fun things.  This was our first meeting of the 2022 for our clubs and our Dirty Rascal Jr Master Gardeners did a great job of kicking things off.

   While the sun was still up our JMG's went outside with Mr. Mack to learn about pruning.  Sometimes it is important to cut growth back on a tree because it can encourage growth in another direction and it keeps limbs from being broken which can lead to disease in a tree.  The JMG's worked on pruning the JMG crepe myrtle at the office to keep it healthy and encourage growth and a beautiful canopy in the spring.  The youth also learned about river birch trees, which we have two of at the office.  These are pretty trees but shed like no other tree in existence.  The JMG's thought it would be a great community service project to pick up all the limbs and create a brush pile to make it easier for it to be hauled off and make the office landscape look so much better.

  At this point it was time to head inside and learn more facts about the importance of trees.  Did you know trees make paper?  We learned how trees go from the field to the plants and are processed into paper.  Our youth got a chance to recycle some office paper by shredding it, adding water, and putting it in a blender to make pulp.  They used the pulp to make paper or seed cards that they will give as Valentine's Day gifts. to family and/or friends.  To see all of our 4-H fun this night you can check out our photos by clicking here. 

  Our JMG's went  home with a little homework assignment to think about what we will plant in our raised bed garden at the office.  When we meet in March we will talk seeds. plants, and food.  Now that is something everyone is interested in.

  For more information about this club please contact Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Associate at (910) 671-3276 or wrmaynor@ncsu.edu.