October 6, 2021

Stonebrook Resident,

According to our covenants, you are in violation of the Tree Covenant for Stonebrook Home Owners Association: TREES [Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, Division 4, Division 5, Division 6, Division 7, Division 8, Division 9, Division 10, Division 11, Division 12, Division 13, Division 14, Division 15, Division 16]. Grantors will plant one or two trees on the front of each lot depending on width of lot. The purchaser of each lot will be required to maintain such trees.

Apart from our covenants requirement, we know as Stonebrook homeowners what great beauty and value these trees add to our neighborhood, especially during this time of year!!

That said, the Stonebrook Home Owners Association has selected YOUR HOUSE as one of thirty homes that will receive a planted 25-gallon Ash Tree(s) on the front or side of your lot (depending on the width of lot) during the weeks of October 11 to October 22, 2021. We will be providing a 7+ year old mature tree with an approximate 2+ inch trunk and 15-foot height, however, you will be required to maintain the tree.

Trees purchased at R&D Wholesale Nursery. Trees planted by Underground Landscaping.

If you have any concerns, please contact the Stonebrook HOA Property Management via our website at www.stonebrookhomeowners.org/contact

R&D Wholesale Nursery will guarantee the provided Ash tree for 12 months if properly planted and cared for. If you would like to purchase, dig, and plant your own tree please let us know as soon as possible. Underground Landscaping will be fixing any sprinkler line damage they cause during the digging and planting of said trees.

Thank you,

Jamie Braithwaite, Stonebrook HOA Board President

Michael Maloney, Paul Greenwood, Logan King, and Tim McCammon, Stonebrook HOA Board

PLANTING AN ASH TREE

The Ash tree is planted in fall in ordinary soil, either enriched or naturally so. It’s important to plant your ash tree in a luminous spot of the garden, away from other trees.

HOW TO PLANT YOUR ASH TREE

The ash tree must grow in a luminous and sunny spot. Before planting it in your garden, check that its growth won’t be impeded by any nearby wall, building, or even another tree. After that, dig a hole of an average depth. Wet the clump a bit, and place it in the hole.

Press the soil down around the trunk and water abundantly. Since it grows tall, try to keep a strict minimum of at least 20 feet (6 m) from house walls. Having 30 feet (10 m) or more is best to avoid issues later on.

Autumn is the best season to plant ash trees because the winter colds slow their growth. September and October are thus the best months to plant your ash tree. If you live in a very windy spot, placing a stake in the ground to keep the plant upright will keep it from toppling over and is strongly recommended.

PRUNING AN ASH TREE

The pruning, if needed, should be performed in October. No pruning is formally required. If you let your ash tree grow without pruning it, it will take on a very elegant shape. You can still eliminate deadwood and the most fragile branches.

CARING FOR AN ASH TREE

The ash tree won’t require any care, and doesn’t also need any pruning. If you feel your soil is very poor, you can help it with a very small dose of fertilizer (phosphorus and potassium) during the first few months. The growth phase of this tree is in spring (before the blooming). The blooming lasts from March to May. At the beginning of spring, remember to remove undesirable buds from the trunk. Psyllids (which are sap-suckers) look like small grasshoppers and often spread diseases. They can harm a tree quite a lot. Overall, though, ash is a very resilient tree.

TYPES OF FLATHEAD BORERS MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrillus planipennis) adults are distinctive dark metallic green beetles that are about 1/2 long and about 1/8 inches wide. This invasive insect, which has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America, was discovered in Kentucky in 2009. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees from June through October, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Unless protected, infested trees usually die within 4 to 7 years of attack. All native ash species are susceptible to attack. The insect has been found recently in white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus).

Ash trees can be protected from attack by this devastating insect by:

Systemic insecticide applied by soil injection or soil drench; OR
Micro tree injection.