Inland Empire Christmas Tree Association

IECTA Fall Meeting Minutes - October 6, 2012

The Inland Empire Christmas Tree Association held its annual fall meeting at The Center at Word of Life Community Church in Post Falls on October 6, 2012. President John Myhre welcomed members and guests after a light breakfast of scrambled eggs, fruit, juice, coffee and tea. He gave a survey of the agenda and introduced our presenter, Jennifer Jensen from University of Idaho Extension, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Jennifer began the first presentation on the White Pine Weevil, a stem borer that is widespread and native to the United States. A black with orange spots insect, about ¼ inch long, it prefers spruce in the West but white pine in the East. She explained how it winters over in the duff under the trees then crawls to the top to lay eggs and feed on the stems. Most of the damage is done to the tree in the late spring when the female insect drills holes and delivers, amounting to 100 or more eggs per weevil. The eggs become larvae and bore down through the stem causing it to droop and the tree to die from the top down. There are several ways to control this insect from putting sticky bands on the leaders to spraying in the spring with a second application two weeks later. Interested members can go to WSU PICOL website for more information on chemicals and sprays.

After a break of conversation and coffee, Jennifer continued with information on subalpine and corkbark trees as Christmas trees. Both trees are members of the Abies lasiocarpa species and are known to grow slowly, have a narrow cone with blue-green, silvery soft foliage, and need little shearing. While the hardiness zone is 2, they often have frost damage and they are not drought tolerant. Planting on north or east facing slopes, avoiding frost pockets, and irrigating for the first two years may increase their viability. They are subject to fungal infestation and the usual aphids, mites, budworms, but standard practices work well. Both the subalpine and corkbark trees are easy to grow with the corkbark having a slight advantage over the subalpine. Jennifer ended her presentation with questions from the audience. In the process the grand fir seed source in Sandpoint was mentioned. She believes the cones are still available because the seed trees are still standing.

Members were reminded to assess their seedling needs for the spring of 2013 and to get their orders in by November 1st for subsequent years through 2015. There are 2,000 additional P-1 seedlings available this coming spring. Please contact Tom Leege as soon as possible if you want to buy these seedlings.

As a continuation of media use and technical programs offered at the spring meeting, John Myhre brought four examples of what members could find on Youtube. All four short video presentations were educational/ entertaining with many of us gasping as we watched shearers work without protective leggings or head protection. Interested individuals are encouraged to browse further under Christmas trees and consider creating their own Christmas tree videos for marketing.

Following the morning presentations, Tom and Lynn Roberts provided a delicious lunch. They prepared lentil soup with vegetables from their garden, poor boy type sandwiches, fruit, and home-baked pumpkin cake. Both Tom and Lynn hosted us royally with setting up the facilities, feeding us, and cleaning up afterwards. The facilities were modern, convenient, and lovely in every way. Thank you, Tom and Lynn.

The business meeting followed lunch. Door prizes were awarded to Jim Dietz and Tom Roberts. John had IECTA signs available for sale. The motion to accept the minutes as printed in the Needle News was make by King Rockhill, seconded by Jim Storms, and passed. The treasurer’s report was handed out and reviewed. The balance is $2,817.57 with some outstanding bills coming this month. The members were disappointed to learn that Lisa Beckman is stepping down. She has taken on the enormous task of sorting out our finances and giving us some budgeting perspectives. We want to thank her for her hard work and organizational ability and are truly sorry she is not continuing as treasurer. Jim Storms consented to act as treasurer for one year and was duly elected.

Dellora Gauger agreed to continue as webmaster until a replacement can be found. She reminded all of us that the website can be accurate only if members check out their personal information and inform her if changes need to be made. Mike Yackley will continue to send her information on new members as in the past. A recommendation was made that the website address be included on the newsletter heading.

A director is elected or re-elected every fall. This year position #3 (2012 thru 2015) was up for election. Tom Roberts volunteered and was elected into office by a motion from King and a 2nd by Marguerite. Motion passed. He replaces Steve Gauger who has given many years of service and is one of the original members of the Montana Association that joined with IECTA some years ago. We thank Steve and expressly want him and Dellora to continue to attend meetings as much as possible. Jim Dietz and Mike Beckman hold positions 1and 2.

Because there are insufficient funds to support a National Trustee, that position will remain vacant until someone with the time, interest, and funds can take on the responsibility of keeping IECTA connected and informed of the National Christmas Tree Association activities. In addition, there will not be funds donated to the Trees for Troops by our association, but individuals are encouraged to donate on their own.

The president, secretary, (and treasurer) must be elected each year at the annual meeting. King moved to cast a unanimous ballot for John Myhre and Carolyn Leege as president and secretary, respectively. Seconded by Alice and the motion passed.

Bylaw changes: In order to align the bylaws with practices already being used, Steve Gauger moved that only one signature needs to be written on a check, but that a minimum of additional two signatures be on record at the bank so that bills can be paid in a timely manner if the treasurer is not available. MaryAnn seconded the motion. After much discussion, the motion passed.

Steve moved to drop the bond requirement in our bylaws. Seconded by Lynette. Passed. IECTA also has a bill for $313.00 to pay for Commercial Liability Insurance coverage due on October 18th. This item was tabled at the meeting with the understanding that an effort would be made to ascertain whether or not we needed this insurance by October 18th.

Steve moved to drop references to a nominating committee from the bylaws. Nominations and volunteers will be accepted from the floor and subsequently voted on at the meeting. King seconded the motion and it passed.

Jim Storms made the most recent edits to the bylaws. He will search his files for the most recent electronic version of the bylaws, so these changes can be made.

Steve mentioned that it was not that many years ago when the Montana Association joined with the IECTA that there were sufficient funds to support the activities of this organization. His question focused on what has caused this current deficit. After discussion, falling membership numbers and higher prices seemed to be two reasons for our financial situation.

The spring meeting will be held on April 6, 2013. Location to be determined. Recommendations for programs included some practical applications through a panel. Members are encouraged to give John Myhre their suggestions for future programs.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectively submitted,

Alice Rockhill, substitute secretary for Carolyn Leege