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Georgia Gold Medal Winner
Newly developed elm tree resistant to disease
By GARY L. WADE
Georgia Extension Service
If you’re in the market for a shade tree
this year, consider Athena dm (Ulmus parv
ifolia) a new cultivar of lacebark elm.
It’s a world-class shade tree promising
to revolutionize tree planting throughout
the United . States,” said Mike Dirr,
University of Georgia professor of horticul
ture and author of a nationally recognized
textbook on plant materials.
The Georgia Piant Selections
Committee, Inc., awarded Athena Elm a
1995 Georgia Gold Medal Award. While
some shade trees grow extremely large and
dwarf the typical urban home, Athena elm
slays relatively small.
The 40-year-old parent tree on the
University of’ Georgia campus is about 35
feet tall and 50 feet wide, making it a per
fect choice to frame a two-story home.
Its small size also makes it an excellent
candidate for street-tree planting where
space is often limited.
Athena elm is resistant to Dutch elm dis
ease that plagues elm trees in the northern
United States. In fact, the tree has no known
insect or disease problem and is relatively
New sanding tool
changes workshop
techniques
Special to the T-J
A growing number of home craftsmen
(and craftswomen) are waving goodbye to
finger sanding thanks to a compact tool
that makes it easy to get into hard to reach
places.
Called a detail sander, it uses a triangu
lar-shaped sanding head to get into tight
places other sanders are unable to reach.
Woodworking experts say it’s one of the
most interesting tools they have tested in
years.
The tools are designed to be particular
ly useful for homeowners who periodical
ly sand and repaint window sills and
frames. They’re aiso made tor furniture
refinishing when you need to remove
paint or varnish in areas with intricate
designs.
Woodworkers use them to sand corners
in cabinets and drawers. Even painters use
them to smooth corners op walls and ceil
ings. The tool is also lightweight at two
and a half pounds which makes it easy to
use. Those who have tried it say any
handyman (or woman) will find many
uses for this tool.
Two manufacturers make sanders like
these. One is an industrial-grade tool that
can cost more than S2OO The other, just
introduced this year, sells for about SSO.
Sanding grits for the new detail sander
have sure-stick, self-adhesive backs so
they’re easy to change. In addition to
sanding, optional accessories provide pol
ishing, rust removal and paint and varnish
stripping capabilities.. < gp. .
trouble-tree, provided it’s planted properly
and given routine care.
The tree has small, lustrous, dark green
leaves about 2 1/2 inches long and I 1/2
inches wide which form a dense canopy of
ysyppug
I Carpet and Rugs 1
Starting
Sq. Yd.
INSTALLATION AVAILABLE
.. I ... ' '/ ' liM-'Wii-n ' ! ■ ■
['FACTORY
L DIRECT
7-4- 4 - f-4- 1 > . { [ I■ + -
WARNER ROBINS
:L_r SUPPLYco.
! I I I I I I I I I I I I
At Home in Houston County, Wednesday, March 8. 1995
shade resembling a dark green cloud in the
summer landscape.
Athena elm, which is deciduous and
loses its leaves in fall, also develops a beau
tiful mottled bark of orange, brown and gray
along the trunk and main branches.
Dirr describes it as a jigsaw-puzzle bark
with no two pieces alike. The bark alone is
a real conversation piece, particularly in the
winter landscape. Add some night lighting
and the tree makes a dramatic statement in
the landscape.
Athena elm does best in a full-sun site
and well-drained soil. When planting, dig
the hole as deep as the root ball and two to
three times wider. Make certain the top of
the root ball is level with the soil surface,
then backfill with the same soil after remov
ing stones and debris.
Water weekly in the absence of’ rainfall
for the first two months, and apply about
three inches of’ mulch to help hold moisture
Host in time for
ISPRING CLEANING
I AREA RUGS
DALTON ORIENTAL
4095 0095
6x9 WWST&
I Marty Colon A Styles to Choose From
in the soil and prevent weeds.
When planting in spring or summer,give
the tree time to establish (four to six weeks)
before fertilizing. Then broadcast one cup of
8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer over IV; ,quarc
feet. Repeat the application at •> <--veek
intervals during the growing season
When planting in fall or winter. .‘..aiMinti!
'late winter (four to six weeks before th.
spring growing season; to fertilize. Never
place granular fertilizers in the planting hole
it may injure the roots.
Athena elm is a patented and trade
marked tree grown only by licensed grow
ers. However, it is being grown widely and
should be available in large numbers this
spring in five- to 15-gallon containers. Take
home a Georgia Gold Medal plant, and lake ,
home a winner!
(Gary Wade is the Extension leader for
horticulture w ith The University of Georgia
Extension Service.)
CARPET
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• Salem 5P145,50 Oz.
Trackless, Stain Resistant Carpet
INSTALLED WITH OUR BEST PAD
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2756 2758 Watson Blvd.
Warner Robins 953-4100
Toll Free 1-800-868-4218 -
Garden Center 953-4199 -
”iii i i t
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