Show Salina SunGunnison Christmas trees can provide valuable wildlife habitat Imagine it’s a few days or a week from now and you’re wondering what Jo do with your Christmas tree which has served its purpose well Fresh pine aroma has engulfed your home and solid branches have carried the heavy burden of lights and for weeks now A few needles are beginning to fall even though you’ve provided fresh water daily “I guess it’s time to put another tree out on the curb for the city to collect ' and haul to the landfill or grind into mulch for flower gardens at the local park” you might think to yourself But wait doesn’t your tree still have some value? Sure it does! That tree can render wildlife some benefits well into next summer or even for two more years depending on how you use it Coniferous trees (ones that produce cones are generally evergreen and produce leaves shaped as needles) are extremely important to a variety of wild animals especially in the cold of winter Common coniferous trees used as Christmas trees in Utah include pines spruces and firs which are important to wildlife Song birds and quail use coniferous trees to roost in at night when warm air becomes trapped in the dense branches Blue grouse spend the winter eating needles from certain firtrees Deer elk snowshoe hares and numerous other wildlife species use conifers as hiding cover to conceal themselves from predators and to escape the elements Before you discard your Christmas friends tree considerhelpingyourwild by using it any of the following ways: Make a Christmas tree for song birds in your yard This can be done by placing the tree in youryard or on your patio in front of a window where you can see it Decorate the tree with stale breads and bakery products hung by ribbons or string Fruits such as apples and oranges also can be hung Be sure to cut them in half so birds can more easily eat them Cereals of any kind such as Cheerios oatmeal grits or commeal also can be offered Place them in net bags used for onions or potatoes and tie them on the tree Strings of popcorn or cranberries are great for wintering birds Peanut butter ornutsof any kind can be mashed into the crevices of pine cones to offer special treats You will enjoy countless hours watching birds come to your “bird Christmas tree” through the rest of the winter X Your old Christmas tree can "be used to provide cover for birds Simply drive the base of your Christmas tree into a snowbank and leave it for the birds to use If you have a clothesline you can collect trees from your neighbors and lean them against the clothesline to for birds to get out of create a the weather Ifyou have existing trees merely string some ropes between two trees to lean the Christmas trees against Submerged Christmas trees provide excellent habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife such as frogs f you have a pond or stream on your property you can collect a few Christmas trees tie them together and anchor them in the pond or stream with large rocks to offer fish amphibians and aquatic insects a place to live Christmas trees also can be used to keep a stream creek or river from cutting into a bank by creating a version against the force of water Pools will form behind the Christmas trees which are ideal resting places for fish $ Brush piles created from discarded Christmas trees provide an important wildlife habitat component providing escape cover nesting sites and denning areas for ground squirrels cottontail rabbits weasels skunks snakes and red foxes Brush piles can be located on larger backyard lots or scattered throughout woodlands meadows or farm areas Since they do attract skunks and snakes you may not want them too near your house To be useful to most wildlife brush piles must be at least five feet in height and 12 to 15 feet in diameter Brush piles can be created by laying rows of Christmas trees perpendicular and on top of each other Big brush piles should be started with a foundation oflarge rocks stumps or logs to keep them from decomposing too quickly Several heavy logs can also be placed on top of the brush pile to keep it from blowing away Old sections of culvert drain tiles or hollow logs placed in the foundation provide ideal denning sites As you clean your yard through the year you can keep your brush pile going by stacking onto the pile tree branches you have trimmed By planning now and thinking ahead you can extend your enjoyment of that expensive Christmas tree throughout the year and benefit wildlife Not a creature was stirring Except for tpe mouse Dec 24 i yy t rage sp jtsfigaaanfltsfiaaar! Community Calendar t the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa la la la la eeek! As the holiday season approaches it’s time to start unloading the festive ornaments and holiday decorations from your attic or basement But be careful surprise guests may be stirring among the boxes of tinsel and wrap’Tis Tuesday December 30 division for kids age Blaekhawk Junior Rodeos-Juni- or and under Senior division for 3 8 Entries accepted Dec & 26 27 at Burns Saddlery in Salina Wednesday December 31 at the Blaekhawk New Year's Eve Bull Riding in Arena Salina Begins at 8 pm Followed by a dance Tickets available at Burns Saddlery Gunnison LDS Stake New Year's Eve Dances: Youth 4 and older at Gunnison Stake Center casual dress 9 to 12:30 Adults dance at Fayette Chapel with music from All That Jazz 9 to 1 pm 2 ping paper No it’s not SantaClaus Orhiselves It could very well be mice The holiday season falls during the heart of peak rodent season which lasts from October through February During the colder months an estimated 21 million homes are invaded by rodents seeking food and your holiday boxes are potential nesting sites “Mice tend to gravitate toward undisturbed areas within the houses they infest Typically holiday decorations are in storage for eleven months out of the year making them an ideal haven for rodents” said Richard Poche wildlife and rodent control specialist for rodenticide the makers of “High risk areas include storage areas and in or attics basements garages around stored objects” Rodents are more than just nuisances they are dangerous creatures that can carry numerous diseases cluding hantavirus leptospirosis and salmonella So don’t let these uninvited guests spoil your holiday season Poche offers the following tips on preventing and eliminating rodent festation in your home: Remove items which can become potential nesting sites such as gift wrap boxes and decorations from floors and away from wal Is Store these items at least a foot off the ground to minimize the potential for nesting Seal up potential rodent entrances to your home with sheet metal steel t News Valley wool or cement paying particular tention to spaces around pipes vents and ducts Keep your house by trimming bushes and hedges and keep plant debris away from the foundation Prevent a small problem from becoming an infestation by using baits and traps regularly Use baits such as II in lower traffic areas such as the basement or attic Be sure to check baits often to replace what was consumed or to discard anything that is wet dirty or contaminated Holiday baking and entertaining can also attract these unwelcome guests Poche recommends storing your holiday treats and leftovers in metal or plastic with tightfitting lids Never leave food out overnight “To safeguard your kitchen during the holiday season be sure to clean up immediately after spills dispose of garbage properly and set baits behind the stove and refrigerator" said Poche baits Andremembertoalwayskeep and traps out of the reach of children and pets For a free brochure on rodent control and prevention send a stamped envelope to Consumer Brochure PO Box 8737 Young America MN Thursday January 8 Lightwood Duo concert at Richfield High School at 7 pm Tickets available at Sho Time Video in Salina Thursday January 15 SUU Going Places Open House at Richfield High School 7:30 to 8:30 Free to public SUU encourages area high school seniors and juniors and parents to attend Polar run set for January 3 Delbert and Sheila Smith Rhon and Monica Jensen Chris and Julie McArthur Merry Christmas Happy Hew § -- j oo and to all! Patrons and a prosperous year! May 1998 be good to all! 'Pcnsity LU Year Customers m (fatuUw 1 oldwett Call Perry Gardner Coldwell Banker Labrum 175 North Main Suite B PO Box 96 Richfield Ut & Associates 84701 fax SOUTHICHINAICAF J V V The annual “Yes You Can Run in the Winter” 5K polar run is set for’Jtk Saturday January 3 in Salina Registration is the day of the race at 8 am at JJWD Hardware 423 South 00 West Salina The cost is $ 5 per runner or walker including a penguin Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female runners plus medals for all finishers For more information call Tom Jensen at z We want to thank our friends for the many acts of kindness shown at Natalie Goodwin’s passing A very difficult time has been made easier because of your cards words of to the Goodwin comfort flowers and contributions Children’s Education Fund Yourfriendshipsare treasured Thanks for being there for us ahd may you enjoy the happiest of holiday seasons 5 American Favorites and Chinese Entrees will dost at 5 pm on Christmas Eve but our kitchen will stay open late new Year's Eve! We EI©MK3?t Warm wishes for We a wonderful season to all appreciate your supportl Eat our friends 147 Gunnison Valley Animal Clinic friends! A warmth and lots of good cheer With we wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued friendship and patronage REMOND MINERALS REDMOND "Go "When they saw the they rejoiced with " exceeding great joy Matthew 2:10 star INC UT All our best wishes for the brightest Christmas ever! Bullistic Championship" New Year's Eve Celebration is the perfect way for any rodeo lover to bring in the NEW YEAR! The Blaekhawk Arena has hosted this SUPER PARTY for 5 Years! Kelly M Frandsen DDS Don't miss the best one yet! Tickets available Be sure to at: stick around for the Burns Saddlery Tack Shak Richfield I FA The Shirt Step! Gunnison Ut ' DANCE to follow the bull riding! V 1 inTake Out Main St Richfield Ut Next to tluish Theatre IN 1Z $vcctinQ$ Thomas E Anderson DVM Chris R Larsen DVM v in To submit your event for the Community Calendar send your information by mail to Community Calendar Salina SunGV News PO Box 185 us at or UT 84634 or fax to Gunnison newsgetelconet No events will be taken by phone tr LU Sincere thanks Lane Goodwin and children Lynn and Phyllis McArthur Almon and Debra Fullmer Saturday January 3 "Yes You Can Run in the Winter" polar run Registration at JJWD Hardware beginning at 8 am For more information call Tom Jensen at J V |