Campaign Promotes Effective Cleanup

When the snow melted this spring, the devastation of Ice Storm ‘96 became apparent. The damage to trees was extraordinary. And while extensive clean-up has already taken place, thousands of tons of limbs, branches and tree trunks remain on the ground. In dealing with these important issues, Washington Water Power has joined with Spokane-area community groups and local government agencies in a campaign titled “Let’s Put It Back Together.” The overall goal of the campaign is two-fold: to promote the effective cleanup and disposal of ice storm debris and to promote the health of our urban forest.

As you begin spring cleanup in your yard, here’s some information to keep in mind:

Be sure to clean up pine and fir branches. Bark beetles are attracted to green branches in the spring, even branches no longer attached to trees.

If your trees were damaged during the ice storm, don’t panic. If you’re not sure whether your tree should be removed, call a professional arborist who can tell you if a tree can be saved. Check in the phone directory, usually under Trees, Tree Service or Tree Care Service.

If you’re going to prune your own trees, learn how to do it properly. There will be several tree-pruning workshops in the area this spring.

When replacing trees, plant the right tree in the right place. Evaluate your landscape, analyze the environment where the plant will be growing and assess the soil where you’ll be planting.

Exercise extreme caution when working in the vicinity of power lines. Always work a safe distance from power lines.