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AirTAP Fall Forum 2014

Airside Vegetation Strategies. AirTAP Fall Forum 2014. What are your vegetation problems?. Accumulation of sand and soil on edges Winter kill Erosion on runway edges Vegetation that attracts wildlife Woody vegetation: knowing what trees to remove?. Accumulation of sand and soil on edges.

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AirTAP Fall Forum 2014

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  1. Airside Vegetation Strategies AirTAP Fall Forum 2014

  2. What are your vegetation problems? • Accumulation of sand and soil on edges • Winter kill • Erosion on runway edges • Vegetation that attracts wildlife • Woody vegetation: knowing what trees to remove?

  3. Accumulation of sand and soil on edges • Vacuum Turf • Vacuuming removes the overburden of soil left from winter • Remove bristles or remove some to a spacing of 4-6 inches

  4. Accumulation of sand and soil on edges

  5. Accumulation of sand and soil on edges • Light broom and pick up • Broom soil onto runway edge, and then remove with a sweeper • This maintains edge drop and reduces buildup on runway edges • Or simply dethatch with light brooming

  6. Winter Kill • Use a contractor, local farmer, or agency equipment to do one of these: • Disc lightly to break up hardpan, compacted crust • Till lightly to aerate soil • Track with skid steer attachments • Rent aerator or other lawn tool

  7. Winter Kill • Rejuvenate the soil: • After discing, broadcast soil amendments (first, get your soil tested by local extension office!!) • It is likely missing Nitrogen (or maybe Phosphorus), so replace with standard 10-10-10 blend at 100 lbs/acre • Add “Tazo”, a bacteria that feeds the soil (also available as “Boost” or others) http://terramax.co/products/tazo-st/ link

  8. Winter Kill • Rejuvenate the soil: • After discing, broadcast soil amendments (first, get your soil tested by local extension office!!) • It is likely missing Nitrogen (or maybe Phosphorus), so replace with standard 10-10-10 blend at 100 lbs/acre • Add “Tazo”, a bacteria that feeds the soil (also available as “Boost” or others) http://terramax.co/products/tazo-st/

  9. Winter Kill • Seed mix overseed • Use commercial turf grass at 220 lbs/acre • $1,200/acre including seed costs • Use MnDOT Mix 25-131 • Low maintenance turf • Non-native grasses • Some salt tolerances • Up to 12” tall • Drought resistance • Mow once/3 weeks

  10. Erosion on Runway Edges • If addressing winter kill, mulch area after seeding! • Want to get to green ASAP; this holds moisture and prevents fire danger. Use fiber mulch that sticks to soil. • For mulch: • Stabilized Fiber Matrix (SFM) MnDOT spec. 3884.2B3 • With poor soils, use Hydraulic Compost Matrix (Verdyol black mulch or hydromulch)

  11. Erosion on Runway Edges • Mulch costs: • Blanket $2.00/sy • Stabilized Fiber Mulch $1.55/sy • Hydropost $1.35/sy • Partner with local agencies for equipment and labor

  12. Vegetation that attracts wildlife • All grasses are attractive to wildlife, so species is not an issue (natives get a bad name) • Eliminate or relocate wetlands near airports • Consider ways to increase habitat for small pollinators (bees and butterflies)

  13. Environmental Stewardship • Butterfly gardening: • http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/landscaping/butterfly-gardening/ • Creating a butterfly garden: • http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/landscaping/butterfly-gardening/creating-a-butterfly-garden/

  14. Woody Vegetation in Approach • Rick Braunig presented on this during the 2012 Fall Forum at Mankato • MnDOT identifies obstructions every 3 years • MnDOT Aeronautics will assist, but simple surveying techniques are also available to determine tree height and encroachment into approach

  15. Woody Vegetation • Start by staking the area in plan view • Conduct one survey and tie ribbon on trees that are getting close • Monitor the tree heights with GIS or simple database • Develop an ANNUAL maintenance plan • Trimming guidance: Roadside Vegetation Handbook by LTAP (p.33) http://www.lrrb.org/media/reports/200019.pdf

  16. Woody Vegetation • Start by staking the area in plan view • Conduct one survey and tie ribbon on trees that are getting close • Monitor the tree heights with GIS or simple database • Develop an ANNUAL maintenance plan • Trimming guidance: Roadside Vegetation Handbook by LTAP (p.33) http://www.lrrb.org/media/reports/200019.pdf

  17. Think outside the box:

  18. For more information, call: • Dwayne Stenlund Office of Environmental Stewardship Dwayne.stenlund@state.mn.us 661-366-3625

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