AirTAP Fall Forum 2014 Airside Vegetation Strategies

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  Vacuum Turf  Vacuuming removes the overburden of soil left from winter  Remove bristles or remove some to a spacing of 4-6 inches

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

Winter Kill  Use a contractor, local farmer, or agency equipment to do one of these: 1.Disc lightly to break up hardpan, compacted crust 2.Till lightly to aerate soil 3.Track with skid steer attachments 4.Rent aerator or other lawn tool

Winter Kill  Rejuvenate the soil: 1.After discing, broadcast soil amendments (first, get your soil tested by local extension office!!) 2.It is likely missing Nitrogen (or maybe Phosphorus), so replace with standard blend at 100 lbs/acre 3.Add “Tazo”, a bacteria that feeds the soil (also available as “Boost” or others) link

Winter Kill  Rejuvenate the soil: 1.After discing, broadcast soil amendments (first, get your soil tested by local extension office!!) 2.It is likely missing Nitrogen (or maybe Phosphorus), so replace with standard blend at 100 lbs/acre 3.Add “Tazo”, a bacteria that feeds the soil (also available as “Boost” or others)

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

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 B3  With poor soils, use Hydraulic Compost Matrix (Verdyol black mulch or hydromulch)

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

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)

Environmental Stewardship  Butterfly gardening:  garden/landscaping/butterfly-gardening/ garden/landscaping/butterfly-gardening/  Creating a butterfly garden:  garden/landscaping/butterfly- gardening/creating-a-butterfly-garden/ garden/landscaping/butterfly- gardening/creating-a-butterfly-garden/

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

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)

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)

Think outside the box:

For more information, call:  Dwayne Stenlund Office of Environmental Stewardship