The Belmont Elm tree crotches and log sections are ready for pickup and must be removed before the end of March.

Before driving to Belmont, confirm the County has approved the Saturday session as planned.  If at the meeting, listen for special announcements by Gene Torrey.  If not at the Saturday Monthly meeting, please contact Gene by using the Guild Contact Us form.  Do not drive to Belmont without confirming.

Howard County Recreation and Parks arborists discovered live beetle larvae in the bark over the winter.  For that reason, all wood must be processed before spring warm weather sets in.  The County would like Guild members who are interested in retrieving crotches or log segments to do so at the earliest possible time, and to handle the bark in a responsible fashion as follows:

• All bark must be pulverized or thoroughly shredded, or burned.
• Wood (crotches or turning sections) taken from the property for processing at home must be bagged until the bark is processed.  The bags must remain tightly sealed until ready for processing.  Care must be taken to kill any live insects found in the bag.

Work Session:

• The work session follows immediately after the special demonstration at 2PM.
• There are three 8′ diameter slabs that need work.
• Persons are needed to work at removing all bark from around each of the rounds and bagged for County processing.
• The slabs also need one side planed using electric powered hand planers.  We have two (thanks Carl Hudson and George Adams).  One or two more and hands to operate them are appreciated.