NANNEN ARBORETUM SOCIETY, INC.

      BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

  MARCH 13, 2023 ELLICOTTVILLE TOWN CENTER

Members attending:  Sue Blesy, Nan Miller, Par Kerl, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward and M J Brown.

1. Approved agenda
2. Call meeting to order and welcome.
3. Caitlyn Croft, on behalf of the Farmers Market, is asking to use one of the gardens in the Herb garden to grow culinary herbs to be used in recipes during the summer. She is recruiting volunteers for the project.
4. Correspondence: Greg Spako expressed concern regarding tree and underbrush cutting on various roadsides.
5. Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the February 13, 2023 meeting.  Pat moved and MJ seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a   unanimous vote.
6. Treasury: Pat reported $ 0 income for the 2/1/23 to 2/28/23 quarter.  Expenses totaled $ 166.00.  Gretchen moved and Diane seconded to accept the treasurers report.  The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
7. Reports from committees/projects:
8. Herb Garden:  Steve ordered 3 dogwood trees from Turnbulls. We will make a field trip there to pick up in April.
9. Volunteer update: Steve presented revised letter to volunteers.
10. Update on Pruning Plan: After numerous attempts to reach Matt Tartick we decided to try someone else.
11. Update on Grounds Maintenance: Ray spoke with Bob Poole regarding railing to the Herb Garden and has not heard back.
12. Membership: We will set up a membership table set up at Farmer Neighbor Dinner.  MJ will consolidate all lists to have one master list.
13. Education and Interpretive Signage: Lyn Chimera spoke at March 8 workshop.  Tim Baird will be next speaker on May 3 speaking about the Continental glacier and Cattaraugus County.
14. Memorial Brochure Update: MJ is working on update to change our brochure to include policy for purchasing a memorial tree.  She will touch base with Brenda Perks who was original designer of our current brochure.
15. Arbor Day: Went over final preparations.
16. Master Gardner Project: Shannon Rinow reported that they are moving forward with raised beds.  They will not be permanent beds.  They chose “Baker Creek Asian Cuisine “ seeds to plant.
17. Unfinished Business:  No Report
18. New Business:
19. Farmer Neighbor Dinner:  Nan gave a donation of a table runner made by Chris Shultz.
20. 4 H Spaghetti Dinner: Nan donated a table topper.
21. Public Art: Pioneer art teacher Stacy Lechevet is interested in painting maybe our shed wall?
22. Adjournment:  Motion was made by Sue to adjourn meeting, MJ seconded,approved unanimously.  Next meeting is April 10, 2023 at 10:00.

Respectfully submitted, Diane Smith secretary

Revised April 10, 2023

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 6:30 pm at the Ellicottville Town Center auditorium at 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, N.Y, Tim Baird will explain all the physical changes that occurred as a result of the glaciers.

A retired science teacher and prominent birder, Baird will look at the physical changes that occurred within the glaciers. Photos and explanations of the many geographical features will be presented. Even the soils were affected, while some parts of the county were totally untouched by the glaciers.

Baird has lived in the county his entire life and has studied its extensive natural characteristics.

Sponsored by the Nannen Arboretum Society, come, enjoy, learn about the county we call home.

A $5 fee will be collected at the door. Refreshments will be served.

We have a very special Annual Meeting and Arbor Day planned for this year, April 28, 2023. We will be celebrating the legacy of the founder of the Nannen Arboretum, John Ploetz. John Ploetz’s children are donating 2 trees for the Arbor Day planting and are hosting an Open House as part of our meeting. We will begin at 11:00 am with our normal Annual Meeting and Arbor Day proclamation/planting and then transition to an Open House around noon. Posters and photographs from the early days of the arboretum will be displayed and several of the Ploetz and Nannen families as well as some of the original members of the arboretum will be available for conversation and reminiscing. Refreshments, sandwiches, cookies and drinks, will be provided during the Open House which will last until 3:00 pm.

John’s children are currently working with Tom Draves of Draves Arboretum in Darian Center NY to procure a Plume Oak and a Bristle Cone Pine to be donated to the arboretum for Arbor Day. Both these trees were part of the original planting at the arboretum and unfortunately have not survived.

The Plume Oak, Quercus dentata ‘pinnatifida’, was donated by John Ploetz in memory of his brother Richard Ploetz. It is an Asiatic oak with an outstanding cut leaf that serves as the logo for the arboretum.

It was bought at Kingsville Nursery in Kingsville, Maryland. It was planted in 1977, then died in 1987 due to an incompatible understock; a sucker was sent up from that understock resulting in the Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, that stands there today.

The Bristle Cone Pine, Pinus aristata, was donated by Sarah Lyons in memory of Margaret Lyons and Zella Crisman. It is native to Colorado, Arizona and California. A gnarled tree in California is estimated to be over 4750 years old. Ours was planted in 1980 and condition was still good in 2006. However, it began deteriorating and died a slow death. We pruned it back in 2021 making it an ‘exhibition tree’ with signage explaining its heritage.

Our Annual Meeting will highlight 2022 accomplishments and financial results. Since none of the board members’ terms are expiring, there will not be any election for board members. Arbor Day will be celebrated recounting its history, a reading of the Proclamation by the Village and Town of Ellicottville representatives and the planting/viewing of the Arbor Day trees. Refreshments and the Open House will follow. Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend, it will be a fun and informative day.

The Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc. is pleased to present a Tree and Shrub Workshop on Saturday, October 15, 2022.  Registration will begin at 9:30 am at the Town Center, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville NY.  At 10:00 am participants may choose to listen to Bruce Robinson, Forestry Consultant, speak on “The Joys of Birding” or Jeff Fabian, Arborist, speak on “The Science of Pruning”.  At 11:00 am there will be a coffee break. At 11:30 am participants may choose to hear Ken Lawton, horticulturist at Turnbull’s Nursery, speak on “Hydrangeas” or Ken Parker, Native Plant Consultant, speak on “Native Shrubs and their Importance”. The fee for the entire workshop is $10.00.

Everyone is busy with cleaning up perennial beds and removing spent annuals, let’s also pay close attention to our valuable trees and shrubs.

Membership to the arboretum will be available at no cost to those attending.

If you are interested in pruning your own trees or ornamental shrubs, here are some guidelines.

Why Prune

The selective removal of plant parts

• Remove dead, diseased, broken branches
• Maintain/reduce size of tree or shrub
• Stimulate future flower/fruit development
• Rejuvenate old shrubs
• Prevent damage to life and property
• Shape plants in an unnatural form (topiary

When to Prune

Remember, pruning is good because it stimulates growth, but it also is wounding. Trees do not heal, they compartmentalize. Most rapid response to wounding occurs late winter – early spring. That is when you want and will get the most growth response.

When to prune is based on the flowering and fruiting habit of the plant

• Flower before the end of June
• Immediately after flowering
• Forsythia, rhododendron
• Flower after the end of June
• Before new growth starts, late winter or early spring
• Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
• G. Hydrangea
• Certain plants may be lightly pruned both before and after flowering
• Red Osier dogwood, Cranberry cotoneaster, Rose Weigela

Evergreens, broadleaf and narrowleaf, may be pruned anytime the wood is not frozen. Do not cut beyond living portion of branch.

Excellent source for pruning fruit trees https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/67

For all varieties, avoid late summer pruning in August through mid-September. Pruning at this time of year encourages new growth to develop which will not harden sufficiently for the winter, thereby increasing the danger of winter damage.

How to Prune

Tools

• Hand Pruners (bypass not anvil) – branches up to 3/4”
• Loppers – branches less than 1 ¾ “
• Pole Pruners/saws – branches up to 2”
• Hand Saws – branches up to 4”

Deciduous shrubs and trees

• Allow plants to develop a natural shape.
• “Haircut” pruning should be avoided.
• Use a thinning technique:
  • Cut branches at different lengths, ¼ inch above active bud – prevents dieback of the stem and a new branch develops from the bud;
  • Remove twigs and branches selectively and reduce overcrowding;
  • Remove some stems at ground level;
  • Length of new shoots should be reduced to 1/3 or 1/2 their length inducing side shoots to develop;
  • Always remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
  • Remove dead flower branches, dead flowers and old fruit stocks as soon as wilted or dropped. This stimulates new growth and encourages plants to produce more flower buds next season.

Evergreens

• Avoid shearing to artificial shapes.
• Prune using thinning technique.
• Do not cut branches back to old wood; the non-green portion of an evergreen branch does not normally put out new branches.
• If removing large branches, cut close to main trunk leaving no stubs.
• To thicken new growth, remove ½ of candle when is it approximately 2 inches long in spring; pinch it out.
• Do not top or remove central leader.

Rejuvenation of Declining Shrubs

• Remove 1/3 of old mature stems per season at ground level.
• Leave young vigorous branches.
• Cut back water sprouts that develop to different lengths and encourage to develop by thinning process.
• Some plants may be completely cut back to the ground if necessary.

Cornell pruning reference: https://ecommons.cornell.edu

On April 30, the Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc. is hosting activities celebrating Arbor Day.  The event will be held on the Rotary Patio at the Town Center, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, beginning at 11 AM.  This year, the slate of events will be abbreviated to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, but will be informative and fun for everyone.

There will be an Arbor Day Proclamation from the Village of Ellicottville, and recognition of our Tree City USA status.  The Village is the smallest community in New York State to hold the Tree City USA designation, and the Tree City USA flag will be presented.

Nebraska City, NE is the birthplace of Arbor Day here in the United States.  It was first celebrated in 1872.  An estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska that day.

By the 1920’s, each state recognized a certain day to be their Arbor Day, and our National Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April.

On land that was donated in 1958, the Nannen Arboretum as initially designed by Bruce Robinson, a local forester, and John Ploetz, working for the Cornell Cooperative Extension.  The first trees were planted in 1976; the Arboretum is home to approximately 300 trees today.  As is customary, a new tree will be planted at the Nannen Arboretum at the Arbor Day celebration.

The mission of the Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc. is to raise awareness among our residents and visitors about the beauty, diversity and ecologic contribution of trees.  Various Trustees and volunteers will be on hand to present and discuss the accomplishments achieved at eh Arboretum in the past few years, with a look forward to what is in store for the near future.

It is the hope and desire of all those involved to encourage everyone in the community to visit our “hidden gem” on Arbor Day and every day.  Volunteers to preserve, protect and enhance the Nannen Arboretum are always welcome – no experience necessary!

For more information about how you can participate, please visit www.nannenarboretum.com, or Nannen Arboretum Society on Facebook.

The Nannen Arboretum located at 28 Parkside Drive in Ellicottville is known as “The Jewel in the Crown of Ellicottville”. It is a sanctuary for hundreds of trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, herbs and nature walks. It is managed by the Nannen Arboretum Society a not-for-profit organization which relies on voluntary support for maintenance and improvement of the facility. The Society is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Open House at the arboretum on Saturday, April 27, 11:00 a.m. – noon. Join us for a cup of coffee and walk through the arboretum grounds to learn about the type of volunteer tasks available to you:

• Removing branches on the ground as a result of recent tree service pruning and the ongoing winds.
• Painting and/or sealing benches.
• Weeding/mulching in gardens throughout the arboretum.
• Pruning trees and shrubs
• Herb Garden Renovation – adopt an Herb Garden

The Society and volunteers have regular work days every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. We will be in ‘clean up’ mode in the early weeks and have scheduled three additional special CLEAN UP days in May to encourage the community to join us.

• Thursday, May 9, 2019, 9:00 – noon
• Saturday, May 18, 2019, 9:00 – noon
• Monday, May 20, 2019, 9:00 – noon

In case of rain or snow, the CLEAN UP day will be rescheduled. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring your favorite gardening tool or just bring yourself.

For additional information, contact us at info@nannenarboretum.com. Also check us out on our website, www.nannenarboretum.com or our Facebook page, Nannen Arboretum Society.

Ladies of Ellicottville Ski Club at Holiday Valley Present $9200 Check to Nannen Arboretum

On February 16, 2018, the ladies of the Ellicottville Ski Club at Holiday Valley held their 13^th annual “ESC Ladies’ Day”.  As a result of the day of skiing, and the dinner complete with raffles and live auction that followed, the women raised $9200 to benefit this year’s recipient, the Nannen Arboretum.

What began 13 years ago as an informal ski day followed by a dinner prepared by the men of club has grown to be an annual fundraising event.  To date, the women have now raised over $71,000 for various area charities. Past recipients include Family Support for Ellicottville, the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley, the Ellicottville Memorial Library, Mercy Flight of Western New York, Susan G. Komen for the Cure of WNY, Almost Home Animal Sanctuary, Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, The March of Dimes of WNY, the Ellicottville Community Food Pantry, and last year’s recipient, Cattaraugus Community Action. 

In addition to donations from ESC members, nearly every local business contributed to this year’s silent and live auction as well as a ticket raffle.  Laura DeCinque, co-chair of the annual ESC Ladies’ Day event commented, “Our event is so successful thanks to the area businesses as well as the ESC members and their generous contributions over the past thirteen years.“

The Nannen Arboretum is an 8-acre sanctuary for hundreds of trees, shrubs, perennial flowers and herbs. Guests are invited to experience the nature walks, bridges, and gardens such as the Japanese meditation garden, and the herb and perennial gardens.  The Arboretum is located at 28 Parkside Drive in Ellicottville, is free to the public and open every day from dawn to dusk.

The $9200 donation from the Ellicottville Ski Club Ladies’ Day directly enables the Arboretum to jumpstart their 2018 goal to ensure that the walkways and paths at the Arboretum become ADA accessible.  Estimates for the project are over $20,000.  Other initiatives the Arboretum has determined for 2018 are a “clean up” day to restore damage done to the trees during a March storm, a redesign of the herb garden, enhancing the Arboretum image through social media, and the recruitment of volunteers.

 Pat Kerl, a member of the Nannen Arboretum Society, stated, “We are overwhelmed and so grateful to all the local businesses and the members of the Ellicottville Ski Club that helped support the ladies in their annual fundraiser.  And we are thrilled to be the recipient this year!”

Anyone interested in making a donation, obtaining information about special events, or volunteering at the Nannen Arboretum may contact either Pat Kerl or Nan Miller at info@nannenarboretum.com.  Visit the Arboretum’s Facebook page, Nannen Arboretum Society, or via Instagram at nannenarboretum

Nannen Arboretum Needs Your Help!!

The recent snow and wind storms have created much damage at the Nannen Arboretum. The Nannen Arboretum Society is in the process of assessing the damage and has identified areas where volunteers can help. The following ‘CLEAN UP’ days have been scheduled, please take a look and let us know at info@nannenarboretum.com when you can help in our clean up effort.

·         Friday, April 20, 2018, 9:00 am – noon cancelled due to weather

·         Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00am – noon

·         Thursday, May 17, 2018, 9:00 – noon

In case of rain or snow, the ‘CLEAN UP’ day will be rescheduled. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring your favorite pruning tool or just bring yourself. Pizza will be provided at noon time.

The Nannen Arboretum Society and volunteers have regular work days every Monday from 9:30 am –  noon. We will be in the clean up mode in the early weeks but are also looking for volunteers to assist in other areas such as the Carolyn Lowe Herb Garden. A Volunteer Recruitment Day is scheduled for June 25, 2018 at 9:30 on the arboretum grounds.

For additional information, contact us at info@nannenarboretum.com. Also check us out on our Facebook page, Nannen Arboretum Society.

Thanks and we are looking forward to seeing you at the arboretum.