[Rural Life]

SOUTHEAST COLORADO POWER ASSOCIATION
[Rural Life]
[what’s inside]
n Basic Pruning Concepts, Part II
n Convenient Payment Options
n Welcome New CSR
SUMMER HOURS IN EFFECT
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 521
La Junta, CO 81050-0521
LA JUNTA STREET ADDRESS
901 West Third Street
La Junta, CO 81050
LAMAR STREET ADDRESS
3601 S. Main
Lamar, CO 81052
SPRINGFIELD STREET ADDRESS
25107 Highway 160
Springfield, CO 81073
EADS STREET ADDRESS
303 East 14th
Eads, CO 81036
PHONE
719-384-2551 [La Junta]
719-336-3236 [Lamar]
719-523-4566 [Springfield]
719-438-5591 [Eads]
800-332-8634 [toll free]
FAX
719-384-7320
WEB
www.secpa.com
Liberty and Better Life for All
BY RICH WILSON || C
HIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER || R
ICHW@SECPA.COM
E
Every July, we take time to reflect
We understand that the
on our country’s history and
decisions we make today
remember how the actions of a
could greatly affect how future
few helped shape the way we live
generations live, so we invest
today. I think back on the rich
in energy efficiency prohistory of the electric cooperative
grams that protect our future
movement and how a small group
generations while still providof determined individuals were
ing high-quality, affordable
Rich Wilson
able to improve their quality of
electric power.
life and the quality of life for all those who
Cooperatives are helping to build the
would come after them.
next generation of leadership through our
Every day, Southeast Colorado Power
Youth Tour programs, sending high school
Association members and employees pay
students to Washington, D.C., to meet
homage to the legacy of our cooperative
with lawmakers and get an up close view
founders. And, because we are a part of an
of how our government functions. Youth
electric cooperative, we know we have the
Tour participants leave our nation’s capital
power to impact our present and shape the
feeling energized. It inspires them to make
future, just like those who came before us.
a difference in their communities and gives
Through grassroots advocacy efforts, we
them new perspectives. Youth Tour prohelp influence policy decisions that will afvides young people from our communities
fect our communities now and for years to
with an opportunity they may never know
come. We are the catalyst for change in our otherwise. (Win* Jack Pearce #1605110000)
communities. We leverage our collective
All of these things, plus so much more,
power to get things done.
are what make up the cooperative differWe work together, partnering with other
ence. This Fourth of July, as we think about
co-ops, local businesses and community
the future of electric cooperatives and how
organizers to achieve economic developwe will continue to shape our country and
ment goals. We create better opportunities
our society, SECPA members remember
and increase the quality of life for our fami- what it took to bring power to our commulies and communities, just as our founding
nities and we will let the determination of
co-op members did.
those who came before us guide us.
Please note:
SECPA offices will
be closed Thursday,
July 3 in observance
of the Fourth of July.
Where liberty dwells,
there is my country.
– Benjamin Franklin
ColoradoCountryLife.coop
July 2014
7
[Rural Life]
Basic Pruning Concepts, Part II
BY SHELLY SIMMONS || COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE || L A JUNTA DISTRICT
P
Proper tree pruning is essential to develop strong branch structure and desirable form, and can prevent more expensive tree
care in the future. It is critical to know where cuts should be
made in relation to a tree’s branch bark ridge and branch collar.
This article focuses on basic pruning techniques, which are illustrated for three different types of branch attachments:
1. Branches that have both a branch bark ridge and branch
collar.
2. Branches that have only a branch bark ridge with a missing,
or invisible, collar.
3. Branches that do not have a branch bark ridge or branch
collar.
How to prune branches with both a branch bark
ridge and a branch collar
Structurally strong branches display a branch bark ridge and a
branch collar. As illustrated in the images below, before making
a pruning cut, first identify the bark ridge and collar (arrow
number one in picture below); make the final cut just outside of
the branch collar (arrow number two). Never remove the branch
collar, as it contains specialized cells that wall off decay-causing
organisms, preventing them from moving into the rest of the tree.
Figure 1: When removing
one-inch diameter or larger
branches, use three cuts. The
first two cuts are to remove
the weight of the branch
to avoid injury to the tree.
Source: Tree City USA Bulletin No. 2, National Arbor
Day Foundation
Figure 2: There is no set angle for
a pruning cut. The size and shape
of the collar determine how the
cut will be made. Source: Pruning
Trees Near Electric Utility Lines,
Dr. Alex L. Shigo
Never remove the branch
bark ridge or collar (see Figure 3 below). Removal of the
branch bark ridge and collar
destroys the tree’s major
defense system and can lead
to excessive sprouting and
decay. Removing the bark
ridge is called a “flush cut.”
Conversely, never cut too far above the collar leaving a stub. Stub
cuts are too far away from the collar to allow the tree to compartmentalize the wound and prevent decay.
1
2
Figure 3: When removing a branch, leave the bark ridge and collar intact, but
avoid leaving a stub that will prevent the tree from closing over the wound.
Source: An Illustrated Guide to Pruning Second Edition, Edward F. Gilman
For branches 1 inch in diameter or larger, use three separate
cuts to remove the branch (see Figure 1 at top of page). Several
inches above where the final cut will be made, cut into the
bottom of the branch first, then complete the cut on the top of
the branch at least one inch beyond the bottom cut. Removing
the weight of the branch first before making the final cut will
prevent the bark from stripping along the collar and down the
trunk.
There is not one proper angle for a cut; different species of
trees have varied branch collar shapes and sizes (see Figure 2 at
top of page).
ColoradoCountryLife.coop
8
July 2014
How to prune branches missing the
branch bark ridge and/or branch collar
To prune branches with missing or invisible collars, but with a
bark ridge, imagine a vertical line dropping down from the top of
the branch bark ridge (see Figure 4 on next page). Make the pruning cut so that angle B is greater than or equal to angle A.
To prune branches that are missing both a bark ridge and
collar (with “included bark” between two or more stems), first
find the base at which the two stems began to grow separately
[Rural Life]
Figure 6: Vigorous
sprouts that emerge
from topping cuts are
weakly attached and
will become hazardous
as they grow. Source:
Tree City USA Bulletin
No. 8, National Arbor
Day Foundation
(see Figure 5 below). Cut up at an angle until the stem being
removed begins to loosen. Be careful not to cut into the stem not
being removed.
Figure 4: To prune
branches with missing
collars or no visible collars, but that have a bark
ridge, follow the diagram.
Source: An Illustrated
Guide to Pruning Second
Edition, Edward F. Gilman
Figure 7: Topping cuts are made
indiscriminately and do not take into
account a tree’s ability to close over
a wound, leading to extensive decay
throughout the tree. Source: Caring
for Young Trees from Nurseries to
Landscapes, Dr. Alex L. Shigo
When trees need to be
reduced in height and spread,
instead of topping, remove
branches at their point of
origin. If a branch must be
shortened, it should be cut
back to a lateral branch that
is large enough to assume the
terminal role.
Figure 5: To prune branches that do not have a bark ridge or collar,
follow the diagram above. Source: An Illustrated Guide to Pruning
Second Edition, Edward F. Gilman
Avoid “topping” trees
“Topping” is not an accepted
pruning practice. Topping is the
indiscriminate removal of the upper portion of the main stem and/
or larger branches without using
proper pruning techniques. It often
removes 50 to 100 percent of the
leaf-bearing crown of a tree. The
severity of topping triggers a survival mechanism, making the tree
activate latent buds and forcing the Image Source: National Arbor
Day Foundation
rapid growth of multiple shoots
below each cut. The vigorous shoots
that arise from topping are WEAKLY attached (see Figure 6 at
top of next column). These branches will then become hazardous as they grow because of the weak attachment.
Topping also causes extensive decay within the entire tree
because the cuts are not likely to be made at branch collars (see
Figure 7). In essence, topping completely opens up a tree to
insect and disease problems.
Additional pruning tips
1 Always use sharp pruning tools. Dull blades cause injury to
living wood.
2 Disinfect pruning tools with Lysol® (or other disinfectant
spray) between cuts on a diseased tree and when moving to a
new tree to prevent the spread of disease organisms.
3 Light pruning and the removal of dead or diseased wood can
be done at any time of the year.
4 Pruning during the winter months is a good rule of thumb,
as the tree is more dormant and the branch structure is clearly
visible. However, pruning should not be done in temperatures
below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, as this can damage the tree.
5 Do not use wound paint or tar on cuts. Research shows these actually inhibit wound closure and can encourage disease problems.
6 For summer or fall flowering trees that bloom on current
year’s growth, prune in winter for best flower production.
7 For trees that bloom in the spring (from buds on year-old
wood), prune when the flowers fade (this applies to most flowering fruit trees in southeastern Colorado).
8 Pruning fruit trees for fruit production is a complex subject; for
more information visit www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.
html.
For more detailed information about proper pruning techniques, visit the International Society of Arboriculture’s website
at http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/resources/Pruning_
MatureTrees.pdf.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop
July 2014
9
[Rural Life]
Convenient Payment Options
BY SCOTT LARSEN || CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Q:
A:
I always seem to forget about paying my electric bill. Do you
have any ideas on how I can get around this or anything that
would make the process easier?
Besides sticking your payment in the mail, or dropping the
payment by a local office, several other methods for paying your
monthly electric bill are offered by your electric co-op. The most
convenient method would be to let your bank pay your bill for
you. We offer an electronic funds transfer (EFT) system that will
automatically deduct your electric bill from your bank account.
With EFT, you always remain in charge. You can cancel this
process at any time, your statement will still be mailed to you,
and you will have approximately seven days before the money
is withdrawn to ask any questions about your charges. You
will also know exactly how much will be taken out from your
account before it is actually deducted. Additionally, automatic
payments can be taken from your credit card each month. We
accept MasterCard and Visa, and we have recently added Discover to our menu of credit cards we will accept.
It is easy to sign up for EFT, and it’s free. Simply inquire at
one of our local offices about an authorization form, or find the
form on our website, www.secpa.com, and return the completed
form with a voided check, if deducting from your checking
account. Please be sure to keep paying your bills until you are
notified that you are enrolled in the system.
So when you are on that long overdue vacation, or simply
too busy to keep up with that large load of monthly bills, your
electric bill is one less thing to worry about. You will also save
money by using fewer checks and no postage.
If you have questions about EFT, please call our office at 719384-2551 or 800-332-8634.
You Could Be a
Winner This Month
If you find your name in this issue as
follows (WIN* your name, your account
number), please contact Paige Horn
at Southeast Colorado Power
Association at 719-384-2551 or
800-332-8634 to receive a credit
on your next power bill. Last month’s winner was Olaf Sharp
from Wiley.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop
10 July 2014
WELCOME NEW CSR
Jennifer Yant
Hello, my name is Jennifer Yant
and I am a new employee with
SECPA in the Lamar office. I
thought I would share some history and interesting facts about
myself.
I was born in 1975 in Shreveport, Louisiana, with a full head
of bright red-orange hair. Raised in a minister’s home, I am the
second oldest of four girls. My father kept trying for a boy and
ended up with four girls (even the dog, cat and probably the
goldfish were all female). Growing up in a minister’s home gave
me the opportunity to live in many different cities and experience vast cultures. We landed in Lamar by the time I was in
the eighth grade, and I graduated Lamar High School in May
of 1994. Then I attended the University of Northern Colorado
where, after completing two years of college, my life took an
unexpected turn and my family started. I married Jason Yant
and we had four children of our own, three girls and one boy.
We lived in Greeley for a little over 10 years and I was able to
complete my college education and obtain an associate degree
in accounting from Aims Community College. In Greeley, I was
a stay-at-home mom for most of that time until I landed an administrative position at the church we attended. In May of 2012
we moved our family back to Lamar. I worked at Prowers County
DSS before coming to SECPA.
We have and are still working on a complete remodel of an
old church that we turned into our home. My oldest daughter,
Autumn, just graduated from high school and is eagerly jumping out of the nest. Winter, daughter number two, is headed into
her junior year at Lamar High School and is actively involved in
sports. Nathaniel is my next oldest, and he is planning to start
his freshman year of high school at the Colorado School for the
Deaf and Blind in Colorado Springs this fall. Nathaniel has a visual disability and we are excited about this opportunity for him.
And then there is my youngest, Abigail. She is headed into junior
high school in the fall and is growing up too fast (but don’t they
all).
One of my favorite things to do is bake, and the SECPA Lamar
crew has already sampled some of my cookies. I am thankful for
this opportunity to work at SECPA and look forward to the many
years to come and getting to know our consumers.