Climate Connection:
By Lisa Sadleir-Hart
''Even if I knew tomorrow that the world would go to pieces, I’d still plant my apple tree.'' -- Martin Luther
We planted our apple trees named after my grandmothers, Hazel (a Williams Pride) and Edna (a Pristine), Spring 2009. My commitment to food sustainability was at its height and I wanted fruit to compliment all the vegetables we were growing. Older apple, cherry and crabapple trees dotted my neighborhood and Sitka’s landscape, so I knew it was possible if we chose well and were patient.
A year later, the Sitka Health Summit selected the Sitka Fruit Tree Initiative as a way to promote food resilience and security (and additionally, reduce food’s carbon footprint). If memory serves me, more than 100 trees were planted and are producing fruit regularly in Sitka including ones in my Bahrt Circle/Charles Street neighborhood. And I’ve got to confess, these are the most delicious apples I’ve ever tasted!
So where to start? #1. Talk with committed Sitka growers who are nurturing their own fruit trees. Folks like Florence Welsh, Lori Adams, Laura Schmidt, Michelle Putz and Jud Kirkness hold a wealth of knowledge that can help you. #2. Pick the right trees for Sitka’s climate. Sam Benowitz of Raintree Nursery in Washington offered a workshop here in Sitka in 2010 and recommended Akane, Evereste, Pristine, Sansa, Williams Pride and Zestar as solid choices for Southeast Alaska apple varieties, and Lapins, Montmorency and Surefire for cherries. There are some European pear varieties and plums that might also be worthy of an experiment as well. #3. Think location - ideally you’ll want them where they can get at least 8 hours of full sunlight. #4. Consider size - mini-drawfs are 5-7 feet, drawfs are 8-10 feet and semi-drawfs are upward to 10-18 feet (you’ll need to do your research here, so check with UAF’s Cooperative Extension Office housed at UAS Sitka campus for information or the Raintree Nursery growing guide) Mini drawfs and dwarfs have worked well in our neighborhood. #5. Think pollination - with apples you’ll need at least 2 different varieties and hopefully ones that bloom at about the same time. Check your neighborhood to find out what varieties are growing and consider trying out some other varieties to help with pollination. You’ll also want to grow plants like chives and comfrey close by as pollinators love them! #6. Water, water, water - this is critically important for newly planted trees as they are putting down their root systems. #7. Fertilize - a several inch layer of well rotted compost around the root zone then mulching works really well. Check out growing guides for more information. #8. Learn how to prune. This is vital if you want fruit. Pruning and Training Plants by David Joyce is a great resource. #9. Check for disease and pests - living in a rainforest does mean that trees can be prone to leaf rusts and pests like Tiger Moths caterpillars which were prolific last growing season.
Harvesting, eating and putting up local fruit is so incredibly satisfying. So if you have space at your home, want to reduce your food’s carbon footprint and grow your resiliency, consider planting fruit trees.
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Lisa Sadleir-Hart is committed to food resiliency, security and her apple trees. She also volunteers with Sitka’s Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.
ANS to Meet
The Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will meet 5:30 p.m. tonight at the ANB Founders Hall.
All are welcome to attend. Membership dues are $12 a year. For questions call or text Nancy at (907) 227-9102.
‘Sitka Reads’
Event March 9
Sitka Reads will host an evening of folktales from the Philippines presented by Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Sitka Public Library multipurpose room.
Food from Sizzling Chow will be served. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call Margot at 747-4025.
BIHA Board
Meets Wednesday
Baranof Island Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet 5 p.m. Feb. 26 at 245 Katlian Street.
‘Coding’ is Topic
Of Program
Programmers and those wanting to learn how to code are invited to the Sitka Public Library 6 p.m. March 4 for an evening of conversation led by Eric Matthew, author of ‘‘Python Crash Course.’’
The program offers a chance to connect with the programming community in Sitka. No experience is required. For information, call Margot at 747-4025.
Northern Tongass Weed Management decision released, objection period open
The USDA Forest Service has announced the beginning of a 45-day objection period Feb. 21 for the Northern Tongass Integrated Weed Management Environmental Assessment.
The project area includes Admiralty National Monument; Juneau, Hoonah, Sitka and Yakutat Ranger Districts of the Tongass National Forest; and adjacent non-National Forest System lands.
The assessment allows the use of manual and mechanical treatment methods as well as herbicides on and off National Forest System land, including on stream banks to treat reed canary grass that impact streams and fish habitat.
“We believe this will be beneficial to the environment rather than detrimental,” said Perry Edwards, Sitka District Ranger. “I want to ensure people know that Alaska is different in that we have a chance at actually getting rid of weeds here, versus down south where they can only hope to contain them.”
The Forest Service’s Joint Review Team and National Marine Fisheries Service have reviewed the project.
The Northern Tongass Integrated Weed Management Environmental Assessment, Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact may be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49999.
For more information, contact Michelle Putz, team leader, at 907-747-4278 or michelle.putz@usda.gov.
Shakespeare Group
Canceled Tonight
Tonight’s meeting of I Read Shakespeare is canceled, due to illness.
Sale Listed at
White E Shop
This week at the White Elephant Shop all items with a green tag are on sale for 50 cents. Hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday, and noon-3 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.
Sitka Woman’s
Club to Meet
The Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon-2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Mean Queen at Totem Square.
To RSVP call Robin at 752-8575 or Rachel at 623-7718.
