(Radio Iowa) – John Deere is known for its green tractors and combines but is celebrating the anniversary of its first backhoe loader introduced 50 years ago in 1971. Deere Product Manager, Brian Hennings, says the loader on the front and excavator on the back, and the ability to drive it to and from job sites makes it popular. “The machine is really one of the most versatile pieces of equipment out on a job site. Some compare it to a Swiss army knife of construction equipment,” Hennings says.

The company makes backhoe loaders in Dubuque, Iowa, plus Brazil and China. Hennings says the general concept has stayed the same since 1971 — but nearly everything else has changed — including the engines, hydraulic systems, and transmissions to keep the machine a valuable tool. ” It can load trucks, it can stockpile materials, trench with the rear structure, dig holes and access utilities and other types of underground surfaces then you can turn it right around and backfill into the trenches,” Hennings says.

Deere does not reveal sales and production figures, but will say prices for its seven models range from 114-thousand to 222-thousand dollars. Deere has begun testing its first electric model, but any large-scale production is still some years away.

(Radio Iowa) – Trees Forever will be hosting an online seminar over the noon hour today (Tuesday) to showcase Iowa’s tallest trees. Jeff Jensen, an Iowa field coordinator for Trees Forever, says these trees dwarf the landscape. “We were able to secure Mark Rouw,” Jensen says. “He’s kind of known as the ‘big tree expert’ here in Iowa. He’s been all over the state.” Rouw keeps a spreadsheet of the state’s tallest trees. Jensen says Rouw will explain how he measures the trees, where he goes to look for them and some of the national champion trees in Iowa.

“And just gives just a really nice overview, including just some fantastic photos,” Jensen says. State officials say Iowa has about three MILLION acres of trees and forest areas. Jensen says while Iowa is known as a tall grass prairie state, it has some tall trees, too. “As you can imagine, for a tree to get real large to be considered a national champion or a state champion, it has to have a very long life,” Jensen says.

Find out more about today’s (Tuesday’s) webinar at www.radioiowa.com. The state’s list of tall trees shows a dozen trees are over 100 feet tall. It includes a sugar maple in Clayton County; a European Alder in Davenport; a Bitternut Hickory and a couple of Black Walnuts in Des Moines; a Black Ash in Anamosa; plus three Yellow Poplars in Indianola, Davenport and Burlington. Three Eastern White Pines in Iowa are among the tallest. One is in Fayette County. The other two are at White Pine Hollow State Preserve in Dubuque County.