JUNIOR WARDEN'S REPORT

Ken Wrona, Junior Warden

As parishioners, everyone is well aware of the historical significance of Pohick Church. Aside from its meaning as a house of worship, it is also a direct link to the nation’s earliest days. As the colonial church of Washington, Mason, and Fairfax, it is a most deserving focus of stewardship. Aside from the church, there are some other old and venerable treasures from the past that are in need of attention.

When walking near the church or into the upper part of the cemetery, take a moment to look at some of the trees. By comparing these trees with the usual stands found on undeveloped land, differences can readily be seen. Trees on undeveloped land normally do not get beyond a certain size. Forced to compete with everything under the canopy, unprotected from parasites, and uncared for in any way, they eventually weaken to the point where the right storm overmatches their strength. Often when they fall, they take other trees with them.

Trees that grow to a ripe old age are usually trees that have people actively caring for them. And so, for years a small portion of the General Fund has been invested in the maintenance of Pohick’s “great” trees. There are over a half dozen majestic red and white oaks, a wonderful sycamore, and some impressive magnolias. Several of the oaks are estimated to be over two hundred years old. Indeed, Washington may have seen one of two of them as saplings.

There are four major elements to a care program for these trees. The first element is fertilization. Large trees have enormous demands for water and nutrients. Supplementary fertilizers must be applied from time to time as the trees mature. The second element is protection from insect pests. There are three major active insect pests that have the potential to affect the trees. Since these pests generally attack from above, oil-based agents are applied by spray guns all the way into the upper branches. Third, older trees require systematic pruning. As branches inevitably die off, the dead wood falls to the ground, often leaving behind a ragged area that readily harbors pests and decay. Last, some trees need the protection of lightening rods and cables, which require periodic review for adequacy.

This year’s maintenance program picks up some previously deferred maintenance, and includes work from all four of the listed categories. As is so often true of budget items, not all of the good things needed to be done are funded. For example, trees in the area of the fairground would benefit from trimming. The highest priority unfunded item at the moment is the fertilization of two trees that are now coming into full maturity. One is an oak, and the other is a sycamore. The sycamore is located at the exit end of the horseshoe-shaped lane that surrounds the cemetery. Pohick’s arborist, who is associated with the same firm that maintains trees at Mt. Vernon, has stated that the sycamore is in good health, despite the stress of the Route 1 widening, but that a good fertilizing is in order this fall. The blackened branches in the upper reaches of the tree are dead and will be pruned.

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