Archive #51 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists – July/August 2013
Sections
Making a Damage Claim
By James Komen
My previous articles in this series have dealt with how to appraise and protect a tree before damage occurs. But what happens when the damage is already done? In this article I will discuss the steps to be taken to recover losses from the offending party in the event of vandalism, negligence, and property line disputes.
Building a Case
The very first and most important step in this process is to take pictures and document the state of the tree. This can be done with simple cell phone pictures. Since the condition of the tree will likely change over the course of the proceedings, the importance of this step is to create a record of the state of the tree immediately following the incident. At this stage you may be brought in as an arborist to assess the damage done to the tree and assign a monetary value to it.
Before taking any legal action, seek counsel from a qualified attorney. Most attorneys will do an introductory consultation meeting at no charge to see if you have a case worth pursuing. Occasionally the meeting requires more in-depth discussion and you may need to pay for an hour or two of the attorney’s time. This can cost between US$200 and US$400. A little expense at this stage makes a large difference in the result, because the attorney will be able to offer guidance in legal strategy that would not be known to a layperson.
In your initial meeting with the attorney, you will discuss:
- The monetary value of damage to the tree
- The nature of the claim
- The client’s relationship with the defendants
- Any other property line issues surrounding the case.
Besides advising you on laws applicable to your case, the attorney may be able to work with you to strategize your case. Often, when a tree is disfigured or vandalized, there may be additional claims of loss beyond damages done to the tree. Examples include: trespassing, invasion of privacy, and private nuisance. The attorney will be able to help you in deciding the next course of action. There are three general routes that can be taken to recover damages.
Settlement
Settlement is the resolution of a claim outside court. It is usually the most cost effective option for resolving the conflict because court costs, filing fees, and attorney’s fees in litigation are all expensive. The first step towards settlement is to have your attorney draft a letter of proposed settlement and send it to the defendant. The defendant has two options:
- meet with you for a discussion and negotiation,
- reject the letter and face the possibility of being taken to litigation.
At the settlement meeting, both parties will have the opportunity to discuss the damages done, the actions that were taken, and what can be done to resolve the conflict. This is the first opportunity for you to ask for monetary compensation to resolve conflicts. The amount to be paid is up for negotiation between the two parties, and may not end being what you originally asked for. Once an agreement is reached, a letter of resolution is drawn up, the funds are distributed, and the case is resolved without going to litigation. The defendant is protected by the letter of resolution from the possibility of ever being taken to court over the resolved issue in the future.
If the settlement letter does not work or negotiations do not go as hoped, the next stage is to begin litigation. There are three courts that can be used, each varying in maximum dollar value of damages to ask for, rules for processing claims, and processing time.
Small Claims Court
The fastest and easiest route to consider is taking the case to small claims court. Small claims court typically hear claims with a maximum of US$7500 per case. The damages may be more than US$7500, but the court will not award any more than that for any given case. The filing fee for small claims court is around US$100.
To file a claim, first find a process server. A process server is a company that types up the information about a case, files it with the judicial system, and then sends notice to the plaintiff and the defendant about the court date. About one month after submitting your case information to a process server, you will receive your court date and you will have an opportunity to prove your case and show your evidence to a judge. One major disadvantage to using small claims court is if you lose as a plaintiff, you will not be able to appeal the court's decision ever; however, if the defendant loses, the defendant will still be able to appeal.
Higher Courts
The middle route is using limited jurisdiction courts. They award damages of up to US$25,000 per case. Limited jurisdiction court requires the representation of an attorney if you are suing a company or business. For example, if a tree crew misrepresented themselves as experts and incorrectly pruned a tree, an attorney would be required to sue the company. If the plaintiff is an individual, it is still possible to represent yourself if cost of litigation is an issue. However, it is not advisable to do so.
The third and most costly option is to go the route of superior courts. Superior Court costs can range from US$5,000 to $10,000 or more. The biggest advantage of going through superior court is there is no limit for the amount that can be asked for, so if the losses on a tree is more than US$50,000, this is the best route.
Emphasis on Preparation
It is important to do your due diligence researching the law before going to litigation. Although it is your attorney's responsibility to represent you with respect to the law, you may save yourself a lot of money by researching applicable laws and municipal codes yourself and then presenting your research to your attorney.
Also, it is important to be prepared for what the defendant will use to as evidence for his case. The defendant in a property line dispute over control of the tree may argue that offending branches lay on his side of the property the line; therefore he had the right to cut them back. He may cite, for example, a case in 1994 California superior court Booska v. Patel that sets a precedent that roots and branches that cross over a property line may not be cut without taking into account the health of the tree. Your responsibility is to show that there is a law or statute that takes precedence over any claim the defendant may make.
Valuable information may come from a variety of sources. For your case, look at state Civil Code and also look at case history by searching legal databases for key words that apply to your case such as “tree,” “property line,” etc. Your attorney may be able to help you with this. In California, for example, there is a civil code that specifically states that the amounts awarded to a plaintiff in a case where a tree is wrongfully damaged shall be three times the value of the appraised tree. Laws such as this vary from state to state, and it is important that you verify for yourself and with your attorney before making a claim in court.
Collection
After winning the judgment, the process is not yet over. The next step is collecting it. Sometimes it is impossible to collect on the judgment that is rightfully yours. Examples include: the defendant becomes impossible to get a hold of, the defendant has no assets to take, or it becomes too expensive or costly to serve the judgment. Because of these possibilities, it may not make sense to take a claim to court in the first place, even though you may have a winning case. If you think you can win a case but may not be able to collect on the claim, then do not waste your time and money taking the issue to court.
Involving Your Insurance Provider
Often, building insurance policies include a provision that the insurance company will cover any loss sustained on the property, even if it was caused deliberately by a person. For example, if a vandal caused a tree to fall and damage a building, the insurance policy would pay for these damages. Then subsequently, the insurance company would file a lawsuit against the vandals to recover their losses. If it is possible for your insurance company to pay you now for the damages sustained, it may be better to let them take care of the litigation than to do it yourself in hopes of collecting proceeds in the future. Check with both your insurance provider and your attorney before making this decision.
Financial Arrangements with your Attorney
When selecting your attorney, be aware of three different methods of payment that he may ask for:
- hourly,
- retainer,
- contingency
Hourly rate offers the least amount of bias and is the simplest to compute – simply add up the time the attorney spends meeting with you and researching your case.
A retainer is a modification on the simply hourly rate plan that is designed to protect the attorney. Your attorney will ask for a lump sum up front, and in return, he will make himself available to answer any questions you may have during a time period. Often, legal questions do not require much time to answer, and this is a more effective way of managing the billing than tracking every block of 5-10 minutes that the attorney spends answering individual questions.
Contingency attorneys only get paid if they win your case. For arrangements like these, you will need to find an attorney that is willing to take your case – this can be a challenge, because most do not like bearing the risk of not getting paid. Another down side to this strategy is it tends to encourage unethical practices in the interest of winning the case at all costs.
Final Thoughts
Protect yourself by only dealing with tree care professionals who are licensed, bonded, and insured. Attempt to build good relationships and resolve potential conflicts with adjacent property owners before any damage is done. Educate your local communities on the value of the trees and the consequences of disfiguring them.
This article is not intended to be legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney before taking any legal action.
James Komen is a Certified Arborist with a background in finance and accounting.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
Tree of the Seminar 51
By Len Phillips
The Presidential Gold® Ginkgo is a refined cultivar of the familiar Ginkgo. This tree has a strong central leader and full branching when young, and then develops a dense upright crown when mature. This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
Trade Name: Presidential Gold® Ginkgo
Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba ‘The President’
Parentage: Selected by Dr. Michael Dirr
Family: Ginkgoaceae
Introduction: J. Frank Schmidt & Son introduction in 2005
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Height: 50' – 60'
Spread: 40' – 45'
Growth Rate: Slow to medium, ave. 1' per year
Form: Broadly pyramidal to oval
Bloom Period: Very early in spring
Flower: Male only, green, 1 inch long catkins
Fruit: Seedless
Spring Color: Bright green
Summer Foliage: Medium green, unique fan shaped leaves
Autumn Foliage: Bright yellow until leaf drop which occurs almost overnight
Winter Interest: Bark and branching provide winter interest
Bark: Handsome with gray-brown ridges and dark furrows
Habitat: Grows well throughout most of the U.S., tolerates heat and pollution
Culture: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, grows in most soils, full sun
Pest Problems: None serious
Storm Resistance: Good to excellent
Salt Tolerance: Good
Planting: Transplants easily B&B, bare root is difficult, very suitable for use in CU-Structural Soil.
Propagating: Budding or softwood cuttings
Design Uses: Excellent urban tree, needs room to grow
Companions: Most shrubs and groundcovers will compliment this ginkgo
Other Comments: Outstanding in both the nursery row and the landscape, this seedless cultivar may set the new standard among Ginkgos for outstanding performance in the city.
Photo and Fact Sheet: J. Frank Schmidt & Son
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Tree Worker Specialist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
What are UtiliTrees?
By Nancy Buley
Trees often come in conflict with the power lines that deliver electricity to our homes and businesses. The risk of future storm damage and power outage rises when care is not taken in choosing and locating appropriate trees for planting near these overhead utility lines. Choosing the “right tree for the right place” is key to success when planning and planting the restricted spaces beneath overhead wires. Urban foresters who establish clear selection guidelines at the outset will be rewarded with healthy, site-appropriate trees that will grow to maturity without risk of their branches tangling with overhead lines.
Selecting the right tree for growing under the utility lines require consideration of several factors:
- The tree must be of small stature and maturing at heights unlikely to tangle with overhead lines.
- Since many utility lines are located above the narrow planting strip between the street and sidewalk, these selections must have pedestrian-friendly branching that is compact or upright in growth habit to
allow for pruning without destroying the vase-shaped character of the tree. - A strong central leader is an important characteristic of a tree suitable for under the utility lines.
- They must possess superior disease and pest resistance and be tolerant of varied soils, climates, and urban growing conditions including heat and drought.
- Because local growing conditions vary, not all trees are on a nationally recommended list appropriate for
planting locally. Other trees that may perform well in local landscapes do not always merit inclusion on a nationally recommended list. - Once established in the landscape, they must need minimal maintenance.
- More recently, diversity of species and an increasing interest in planting native trees are playing roles in determining suitable trees for under the wires.
Frequent requests for advice on the best trees to plant in this challenging zone led J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. to develop a list of preferred trees branded as UtiliTrees™. Launched more than 20 years ago, the list has been expanded over the years to include nearly 50 time-tested trees that perform well in many growing regions of the U.S. and Canada and beyond. Urban foresters, utility arborists, landscape architects and other specifiers have embraced the list and have customized it to suit their own unique local growing conditions. Depending on local climate, soil, and cultural conditions, all are suitable for growing in the height-restricted zone between the street and sidewalk, and beneath utility service lines.
The list that follows is a great starting point for cities seeking to develop their own lists of recommended trees. Several favorites, plus some newer additions are described. The link to the entire list shows height, spread, and form at a glance and fact sheets and photos for each may be downloaded.Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) was a rare and prized garden tree when introduced to the North American nursery trade more than a century ago. However, this remarkably versatile Asian native has proven to be hardy and adaptable to heat, drought, and cold throughout USDA Zones 5 to 8. It is increasingly being recommended by urban foresters as a mannerly street tree for planting beneath utility lines and in other restricted planting spaces. Trifoliate leaves give a delicate appearance in summer and flaunt long-lasting bright red fall color. Reddish brown bark exfoliates in long, paper-thin curls to reveal smooth cinnamon-colored under-bark, giving the tree year-round interest and color. Fact Sheet
Rugged Charm® Maple (Acer tataricum ‘JFS-KW2’) is compact and oval and its shapely canopy is a vast improvement over the rugged species. Unusually upright branching habit makes it superior to the species, and the best choice among the cultivars for street tree use. Hardy throughout USDA Zones 3 to 8, its white flower clusters and bright red samaras stand out among boldly textured green leaves. The leaves turn bright shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Fact Sheet
Spring Flurry® Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis ‘JFS-Arb’) offers superior disease resistance and foliage quality, making it a top choice for rainy springtime climates. Thanks to a strong central leader and upright branch angles, it matures into a compact shade tree that is ideally suited for small landscape spaces including the narrow planting spaces between street and sidewalk and beneath utility lines. Clouds of fragrant white flowers give way to tasty, purplish blue fruits that appear in June and are devoured by wildlife. Fact Sheet
Crushed Velvet™ Silverbell (Halesia carolina ‘JFS-PN2Legacy’) is a compact form of the North American native Silverbell. Upright branch angles and a strong central leader recommend this petite cultivar for planting beneath utility lines. Bell-shaped white flowers appear in dense clusters along the branches and are followed by small, bluish green leaves with a wrinkled texture reminiscent of crushed velvet. New to the marketplace, it will not be widely available for a few years, but warrants adding it to your specifications for future plantings. Fact Sheet
Pink Flair® Cherry (Prunus sargentii ‘JFS-KW58’) is narrow and upright in form, with a vase shape that’s perfectly tailored for growth beneath utility lines. Superior resistance to the common cherry foliage diseases promise healthy, clean leaves throughout the growing season. The most cold tolerant of the pink flowering cherries, this Zone 3b to 7 tree is also more tolerant of heat and drought than other selections, and has reliably bright orange-red fall color. Fact Sheet
Jack® Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Jaczam’) is tightly upright in form, thanks to a dwarf growth rate that causes it to mature at 16 feet in height with a spread of about 10 feet (less than half the size typical of the species). Branch density and upright habit give the unusual combination of a formal appearance in a low maintenance tree. It is ideal for planting along narrow streets and beneath utility wires. Fact Sheet
Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’) sports large upright plumes of creamy white flowers in early summer. Adaptability, small stature and an upright spreading vase shape have earned this tough little tree a place on the UtiliTrees™ list. Fact Sheet
City Sprite® Zelkova (Zelkova serrata ‘JFS-KW1’) is compact, densely branched, semi-dwarf selection of the popular species that is perfectly suited for tight urban spaces. Short inter-nodes, fine textured foliage and mannerly growth habit promise a low maintenance city tree that will not outgrow its bounds. Fact Sheet
Wireless® Zelkova (Zelkova serrata ‘Schmidtlow’) is selected ?for its low height and? broad spreading shape ?that is ideal for street? plantings beneath utility ?lines. It's broadly spreading, vase-shaped canopy reaches? a mature height of about? 24 feet and spread of? about 36 feet. Red fall ?color is bright and long ?lasting. Fact Sheet
For detailed descriptions and photos of all UtiliTrees™ recommendations, visit: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Nancy Buley is the Director of Communications at J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., wholesale tree growers.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Tree Worker Specialist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
The Mountain Pine Beetle
Dana Kidd
In recent years, the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB; Dendroctornus poderosae) has expanded beyond its historic boundaries of the interior of British Columbia, Canada. For roughly the last 15,000 years, the MPB has co-existed with their main host, mature Lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta), on the western side of the Rocky Mountains. Smaller outbreaks of the MPB have been recorded in the past due to fluctuations in the weather, but in the last 20 to 30 years things have become unbalanced in the MPB's favour.
The expansion of the MPB was observed as early as 2003. At that time, there were clear signs that huge swarms of the MPB were heading north towards the Yukon and over the Rocky Mountains into NE Alberta. The forests of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana have also experienced infestation by the MPB. Warmer winters and drier summers, a trend that has been observed in the last two decades, contributed to the survival and expansion of the MPB. The number of MPBs looking for new habitat each year is well into the trillions.
The Boreal Forest, which stretches from the Yukon to the Maritimes, about 5000 km (3000 mi), could well be next in line for MPB infestation. Referred to as the "Lungs of the North", the Boreal Forest provides varied habitats for a high diversity of birds, insects, fish, and mammal species. It also contains 7% of the world's fresh water supply.
MPBs are the size of a grain of rice, about 4–7mm (0.16-0.29 in) in length. The strength of the MPB is not based on size, however, but its behaviour, which has recently evolved into attacking the host trees in massive swarms. Historically, the life cycle of the MPB has been a year, but there are emerging reports that it could be increasing to two years.
Parasitic Features
There are 3 stages of the MPB life cycle: larval; pupal; and adult. After the adult female beetle finds a healthy pine host she begins to bore into the bark and sends out pheromones to attract the males, who in turn send out pheromones to attract more females. As they chew through the bark they release fungi spores from their mouths that begins to clog the tree's defensive resin duct system. The fungi will then spread internally through the wood rays and stain the tree's wood blue. The fungi are used later as a food source for the growing larvae.
The female MPB rapidly makes vertical galleries which she will fill with about 40–60 eggs. Larvae appear about 2 weeks later, and mine horizontally into the tree towards the phloem, cambium, and xylem layers. Being attacked by so many MPBs can quickly sever the vascular system of the tree. At that point, the tree could die within a month. If the region with the infestation does not have a cold snap of –25° Celsius (–15° F) or colder, for at least a few days in the late fall or early winter, before the larvae start producing their natural anti-freeze (glycerol), the larvae will be able to survive under the bark until the following spring. An early heavy snow fall can also help insulate the MPB at the base of the tree.
In the spring, the larvae will begin to feed on the blue stain fungi, but if there is a cold snap at this point there is a good chance the larvae will be killed. If not, the larvae continue to feed on the fungi and grow throughout the spring. By June or July they will change into their pupal form, which has a similar shape as the adult MPB but different colouring, including shades from white to brown. The adult MPBs will tunnel out from the bark of the dead host in late summer to early fall and disperse to find a healthy tree to attack.
Hosts of Lodgepole Pines
The Lodgepole pine, reaching maturity at 80 years or more, has successfully acted as the main host to the MPB for thousands of years, using a multitude of defenses to fight off the MPB's attack. The thick bark of the Lodgepole is the first defense the MPB must overcome. Another defense is the tree's resin ducts that run vertically underneath the outer layer of bark. The ducts release a resin to push the MPB out and drown it as it starts to bore. If the MPB makes it through the resin to the inner bark, the tree then compartmentalizes its vascular system in a last attempt to survive the attack of the beetle. Once the MPB has gotten past these defenses, the tree will usually succumb within a month. The tree's needles will retain their green colour (green zone) for months. The following year, the needles will turn to a bright red (red zone), and over the next 2–4 years the needles will dull to a brick red. Usually by the 4th or 5th year the needles have fallen and all that is left is a grey skeleton (grey zone).
Influence of Changing Climate
Trees “breathe” by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Trees help to moderate the climate by controlling atmospheric CO2 levels. Higher levels of CO2, a harmful greenhouse gas, is linked to global warming and rapidly changing weather patterns. As trees remove the CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, they transport the sequestered carbon down through the tree to storage in wood and the soil.
Over the last three decades in BC's interior, Lodgepole pine forests have become weakened by drought due to warmer winters and drier summers. The lack of enough healthy young Lodgepoles to replace the mature pines have helped to severely reduce the carbon intake of the Lodgepole forests. Naturally occurring forest fires have been suppressed by man to protect the pine's lumber and to save the multitude of towns built amongst the forests. This has created a situation in which over-mature forested areas are not able to rejuvenate, and this has recently led to some of the most severe forest fires in BC's history.
Role of the Logging Industry
The lust for lumber has been a huge contributor to the loss of habitat for the MPB. Lodgepole pines are sought after in Canada's economy for supplying trees that are 40–60 metres (130–200 feet) tall, with fairly straight lumber. The practice of clear cutting is the fastest way to get the lumber but this process leaves huge gaps in the ecosystem. The machinery needed to clear cut a forest scrapes the ground, removing most vegetation and the surface layer of leaves, needles, and other plant material covering the ground surface. The organic carbon is then no longer stored in the soil but released back into the atmosphere. Clear cutting also removes the seeds of trees and the organic material that comes from the natural decomposition of a fallen tree.
When BC's MPB infestation was starting to noticeably grow, logging companies were given the green light to log as much as possible to save the economic value of the trees. Pine trees make up about 80% of the world's soft lumber supply. With seemingly no governmental supervision, the habitat of the MPB was taken down in droves, together with other tree species that were the habitat for a multitude of mammals, birds, and insects. As the MPB's habitat was removed so quickly, logging helped to create a greater imbalance in the natural world. The remaining mature Lodgepole pines were quickly attacked by an overwhelming number of MPBs. The area in BC that has been affected by MPB infestation and human's insatiable logging is well over 18 million hectares (40 million acres). The loss of habitat has forced the MPB to expand outside its natural boundaries and its natural host, the Lodgepole pine.
New Hosts
The Lodgepole pine and the Jack pine intersect throughout the BC–Alberta border area and this has resulted in natural hybrids of the two pines being located there. This mixing and the MPB’s need for habitat may have contributed to the MPB hopping from the host tree species to the hybrids, and then to the Jack pine. Jack pines (Pinus banksiana) are now being seriously invaded by the MPBs. With the expanding population of MPB now firmly transferred to Jack pines, the Boreal Forest lays ahead in its path, which is connected to the Eastern coastal pine forests. These trees do not have the defenses the Lodgepole pines have built up over thousands of years against the MPB. Cold winters are still a threat to the MPB, but warming temperatures are being noted more often in northern areas. More intense forest fires and aggressive logging across the Boreal could further open the door for the MPB to move to Canada's eastern shoreline via the Jack pine. Other pine species, such as those listed below, may also be at risk in the future.
- Shoreline pine (Pinus contorta, var. contorta)
- Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
- Limber pine (Pinus flexilis)
- White Bark pine (Pinus albicaulis)
- Western White pine (Pinus monticola)
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
The ranges of pine species can overlap, and there should be greater concern for pines that have not yet encountered the MPB, including:
- Eastern White pine (Pinus strobus)
- Bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata)
- Pitch pine (Pinus rigida)
- Red pine (Pinus resinosa)
Control Measures
Each province or territory in Canada is in charge of their own control tactics in dealing with the MPB. Examples of measures that are being taken include:
- Trapping MPBs, using pheromones to lure them to a decoy tree where they are collected and destroyed.
- Selecting individual infected trees and removing them, which can be a long process since there are billions of trees.
- Selecting groups of infected trees and removing them by clear cutting.
- Controlled burning of highly infested dry trees that could produce a much larger scale blaze if left standing.
- Cutting and burning an infected tree on the spot, generally in the winter months. Again, this is a slow and costly process as the volume of infected trees is so large.
Conclusion
As the rapid consumption of resources by humans is being duplicated by the MPB, the destruction of normal MPB habitat through logging and fire is contributing to the increased vulnerability of other pine species to the MPB epidemic. Greater steps to reduce our CO2 footprint need to be taken because of the influence of this greenhouse gas on climate. Climate influences not only the survival of beetle larvae, which occurs wherever winters are warm, but also the health of the forest and its susceptibility to drought and fire. The societal recognition that trees play an essential role in our survival will help to increase their value beyond solely economic perspectives and help to bring more awareness to the widespread effects of the MPB epidemic.
Sources
- Government Websites regarding Mountain Pine Beetle, Provinces and Territories sourced; British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Saskatchewan.
- Canadian Forest Service Website.
- Farrar, John L., “Trees of Canada”, Canadian Forest Service. 2006.
- May, Elizabeth, “At The Cutting Edge, The Crisis in Canada's Forests”. 1998.
- Harris, Clark, Matheny, “Arboriculture, Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines”, Fourth Edition, 2004.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Tree Worker Specialist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
Cultivars of Sugar Maple
By Len Phillips
The following trees are a sampling of the many cultivars of sugar maple. They represent this author's opinion as to the best among the newest cultivars that have been bred to do especially well in our cities. The species description immediately below summarizes the characteristics that are common to all of the cultivars listed further in this article. This information has been gathered from the personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
Botanical Name: Acer saccharum
Common Name: sugar maple
Family: Aceraceae
Size: varies according to the cultivar
Bloom Period: before leaves in April
Flower: typical of species
Fruit: samara
Summer Foliage: new foliage emerges with just a touch of red; the leaves quickly turn to a green
Winter Color: unusual bark provides winter interest
Bark: gray brown, thick plates with age
Habitat: eastern half of the US and Canada
Culture: resistant to sun scald and frost cracks, prefers a somewhat moist, yet well-drained soil with just a slight acidity for optimum growth
Growth Rate: moderate grower with exceptions noted below
Pest Problems: very resistant to leaf tatter and leafhopper damage
Storm Resistance: excellent
Salt Resistance: fair
Planting: transplants easily bare root and B&B, moderately suited for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form, withstands severe pruning
Propagating: softwood cuttings in June, budding and grafting
Design Uses: suitable for lawns, parks, golf courses or any other place where this vigorous grower will have the room to reach its mature size
Companions: use with ground covers such as Sedum, Ajuga, Galium, and Chrysoganum
Other Comments: retains color in dry, windy summer weather, tough tree, widely used for maple syrup and maple sugar production
Fact Sheet: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Apollo® Maple, Acer saccharum ‘Barrett Cole’ – PP 10590 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 10'; Shape: narrow, columnar; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: yellow-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Unique narrowness, dense branching and compact form make this dwarf and columnar sugar maple ideal for limited spaces. Dark green foliage withstands summer heat. Fact Sheet
Autumn Fest® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-KW8’ – PP 22034 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 35’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to red. Strong upright growth and reliable, early fall color make this a standout in the nursery and on the streets. Vigorous, with a good central leader, it is faster growing with a more upright shape than typical of sugar maples. Fact Sheet
Belle Tower® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Reba’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 45'; Spread: 18'; Shape: narrow oval; Foliage: bright green; Fall color: orange-yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Adapted to heat and humidity, this southern Tennessee selection was tested in Alabama by Jeff Sibley of Auburn University. Summer foliage is fresh and bright green compared to other sugar maples that suffer in hot weather. Additionally, it is among the narrowest and upright forms available today. Fact Sheet
Bonfire™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bonfire’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: medium green; Fall color: bright orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Bonfire™ appears to be the fastest growing sugar maple selection. It has a wider environmental tolerance than most sugar maples, adapting well to diverse conditions. This tree produces a very brilliant fall color display of orange, orange-red and red. Fact Sheet
Crescendo™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Morton’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to bright red. Coming from the western range of the sugar maple and selected at Morton Arboretum, this tree features tough, heat resistant foliage and good orange red fall color. Fact Sheet
Fall Fiesta® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bailsta’ PP 11119 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly ovate; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange, red, and yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Sturdy and compact when young, this cultivar matures to become a full size specimen with an especially symmetrical crown and thick dark green summer foliage. Autumn brings on a mix of orange, red, and yellow colors in the canopy. Fact Sheet
Flashfire® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-Caddo2’ – PP 23361 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: bright red. Selected from Caddo Mountain sugar maple seedlings, this tree has one of the brightest red fall colors in a cultivar adapted to Southern heat. It features dark green summer foliage, better mildew resistance than other Caddo selections, strong growth, and brilliant red, early fall color. Fact Sheet
Green Mountain® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Green Mountain® is the standard for comparison of all new sugar maples. It is the most widely planted selection and has proven itself well over time. It is probably the hardiest sugar maple and is the best choice for northern areas. It provides reliable fall color. Fact Sheet
John Pair Maple Acer saccharum ‘John Pair’ – Zone: 5 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 30'; Shape: rounded; Foliage: glossy green; Fall color: red. Symmetrical and rounded in form, this heat resistant sugar maple of small stature is at home in the southern plains. This tree was selected by horticulturist Dr. John Pair from the heat resistant Caddo County, Oklahoma seed source, its foliage stands up to summer heat. Fact Sheet
Legacy® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 50'; Spread: 35'; Shape: oval; Foliage: glossy dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Legacy produces a very symmetrical oval crown. This, combined with its glossy dark green leaves makes it one of the most handsome sugar maples in summer. Its leaves are quite tough and resist leaf tatter and drought. Fact Sheet
Steeple® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Astis’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 55’; Spread: 30’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: Yellow-orange; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Steeple® is a very symmetrical, upright oval tree discovered by Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia, Athens. Well adapted to the heat of the South, it features heat tolerant foliage and an excellent crown form. Fact Sheet
Sugar Cone Maple Acer saccharum ‘Sugar Cone' – Zone 4 – 7, Height 25’; Spread 13’; Shape: compact dwarf pyramidal; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red. Dense, compact, and pyramidal, this descriptively named tree is one of the most dwarf of the sugar maples. It stays small and tight and will not outgrow its planting location. This tree is ideal for growing under the utility wires.
Some older and/or less known cultivars worthy of mention include:
'Adirondack'
'Arrowhead'
'Autumn Splendor'
'Caddo'
'Cary'
'Columnare' or ‘Newton Sentry’
‘Commemoration’
'Endowment'
'Fairview'
'Globsum'
'Goldspire'
'Greencolumn'
'Lanco Columnar'
'Majesty' or 'Flax Mill Majesty'
'Moraine'
'Oregon Trail'
'Natchez'
'Northern Flare'
'Seneca Chief'
‘Sentry’ or ‘Temple’s Upright’ or ‘Monumentale’
'Shawnee'
'Skybound'
'Slavin's Upright'
'Summer Proof'
‘Sweet Shadow’
'Unity'
'Wright Brothers'
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Tree Worker Specialist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA practice credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
Tree Advisory Boards
By Gordon Mann
Focused public support for a municipal tree maintenance program can be channeled through a tree advisory board, advocacy group, commission, non-profit organization, or community support group depending on the desires and support of the community. This is a group of volunteers who may establish the policies and make the recommendations that a community and forestry department can follow. The board is most effective with some agency support such as a board of supervisors, an elected council or mayor, a park and recreation commissioner, a planning commissioner or someone other than staff to serve as the supporter of the urban forest. Some latitude and responsibility may have to be relinquished by the City Council.
The Challenge
Through my personal experience, communications with other municipal arborists, and observing programs that have prospered and faltered, the following observations may help a staff person consider their perspective during the formation, direction for the tree board, and scope of duties.
Many professional municipal arborists have tried really hard to push their programs through a city or county structure. What usually happens is the staff person is so far down the decision-making chain from the City Manager's vision and the City Council's attention that they rarely get the opportunity for a personal presentation of their ideas. Instead, their ideas are presented by a higher position in their department with 2 to 20 other ideas from their department. The passion and details are too often left out in the need for brevity and the presenter’s lack of knowledge. The great ideas are lost in comparison to the other issues and presentations of all the other items on the agenda. The worst tragedy of this scenario is that the decision makers never see all the options to decide among because they are presented by department heads working to balance the needs of the entire department.
The arborist has the proper perspective and wants the best for the community. However, the information usually doesn’t get into a decision maker’s hands in the right format for the desired outcome. In these situations, a citizen's tree advisory board may bring the program into proper context and take the program to the next level. A quality, well-facilitated board will have the ears and eyes of the elected officials. They may interact with these officials privately for cards, golf, lunch, or business. They know how to present an idea to their colleague that will get their attention. Most of all, they want to speak for the trees.
Tree Advisory Board Responsibilities
Once a tree advisory board is established, attention can be given to consider the following ideas as appropriate:
- the board should have a diversity of members from the community and not be heavily weighted with tree or urban forest professionals or green industry workers. While the technical information is readily available, the opinions of the community are more important to have represented,
- new board members should consider the goals that define the forestry needs of the community,
- the board needs to understand clearly their task, expected outcomes, and if they are advisory, decision making, or regulatory, authority, etc.,
- the board must be very clear about their decision making process – consensus, voting, or how a decision or agreement will be reached, the board will need to know the scope of their responsibilities – make
recommendations, decisions, decide appeals, etc., - the rules for participants should be clearly laid out including attendance, values, behavior at meetings, and ground rules, etc.,
- the board needs to be led by a strong facilitator who will keep focused on goals,
- the board members should be educated by someone familiar with the city’s programs, strengths, and needs as well as by other urban forestry professionals to learn what options and possibilities are available,
- board members should receive training in proper tree planting and tree care, including the ANSI A300 standards,
- the board must develop a report based on the decision making process and decide if they will allow minority reports,
- the board should understand the current budget and programs that are in place,
- the board should develop a work plan with priorities,
- the criteria for decision making and recommendations are very hard to keep on track,
- they have to be partners and serve as a check and balance on how the community operates and recognizes the value of its trees,
- the board, with staff should set the standards and expectations for the community to follow.
Staff Responsibilities
- the staff should plan to spend extra time as needed to continually educate the board about the program goals and progress,
- there may also be some direction given to provide a framework for what the task and decision making
authority of the board will be, - the staff should be prepared to respond or react to what happens,
- the staff should be intimately involved in the formation, education, and goal setting of the board, which may occur without any authority or oversight by the staff position,
- the staff should help the board by serving as a resource by providing information and answering
questions so the board has a clear understanding of what the scope of urban forestry is, the status of the program in the community, and the current budget. Staff may benefit from bringing in outside educational resources such as the State urban forester. - the staff can provide options, show big picture views, and show potential as well as find success stories to emulate,
- the staff should support the board because it is a group formed through the request of an elected or influential community leader and they usually have more “clout” and will be taken seriously by the community leaders,
- finally, the staff can create an idea with the board and have them run with it and make it happen. The staff goals are in place, the board gets the credit and feels good, and the staff has advocates for their
work. This role is critical to the success of the board.
In the public forum, the arborist may be able to step back from some of the finger pointing because the tree board has put forward the desired activities and goals. The arborist can answer questions about the feasibility of the recommendations or discussions without being the focal point of the discussion. With a board, the arborist gains a sounding panel to test ideas, review presentations for clarity and understanding, and gain increased public support for trees.
Tree Advisory Board Members
Why do people invest their time in service to their community? Although many give of themselves in the name of service, most have a pet peeve, a project, an issue, or a “want” to change, and they invest their time and energy to reach an outcome to resolve their concern. As more community members realize the value of trees and that trees are infrastructure, the greater the community support will be. As people see value, they respond with support. Staff’s role should be to find these people and partner with them to make sure staff’s needs are compatible with their needs.
Additional support can be gained when tree care professionals in the community participate and support a raised level of awareness about the value of trees and the importance of proper care in growing large trees for maximum community benefits.
In defense of a worried staff person, there have been times when the tree board went after a staff member for a change or replacement. My observations are that these have been the minority. During my sometimes limited review of the circumstances, I found the staff person could have done something differently to change the course of the conflict. The primary action staff can take is to meet with the board or a board member that may not be clear on the process, goals, challenges, and biggest needs of the staff person. For example, a board member is angry because not enough is getting done, yet the existing budget doesn’t permit more to be done. The staff member needs to explain to the board member that more could be done if there were more resources. Sometimes, by working together, resources can be shifted without a budget increase.
This is the best place for some philosophic interjection – we have to realize there are those things we can change and have control over, while there are also those things that we have little to no control over, and have to react to. Many issues in a community are because of control. Someone else has it, someone else wants it, or someone did not share it. When the issue comes down to how a community is going to be regulated, trees, water, taxes, building rules, zoning, to name a few, someone is going to stand up against rules they feel are compromising their rights. The pathway to public acceptance is to find ways to show that the direction the staff is headed, aligns with most objectives and does not negatively impact or affect the majority of citizens. A tree board can help show the minimal impact of what is proposed. Again, if the right people are serving, they know who and how to talk, and help avoid or minimize a public outcry.
Summary
I am obviously in favor of community involvement. My experience in Redwood City and at the Sacramento Tree Foundation showed me the passion residents can have on an issue. I saw first-hand the power of community consensus in driving forward with things that people are passionate about.
Tree boards can add benefit and advocacy to a city's tree program. There are some potential pitfalls but if problems can be avoided and the work of the group is done right, the outcome is usually very positive and a benefit to the community and the staff working with the group. My experience has been that it is more successful to get in the process early and work to educate and explain what the status quo is, and help respond to requests for change with what is possible short-term, long-term, and what needs policy changes to implement.
Gordon Mann is an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, an ISA Certified Arborist and Municipal Specialist, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor, and an urban forestry consultant in Auburn, CA. He is a past SMA ANSI A300 Committee representative and president of ASCA.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist or BCMA management credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.
Research Briefs 51
Edited by Len Phillips
Evaluation of a Soil Decompaction and Amendment Process for Urban Trees
Kelby Fite, E. Thomas Smiley, John McIntyre, and Christina E. Wells
Researchers investigated the effects of a soil decompaction and amendment process (Air tillage, Fertilizer, and Mulch, AFM) and its individual components on soil properties at four urban sites in the U.S. At each site, 50 red maples (Acer rubrum) were growing on compacted and/or nutrient-poor soils.
The AFM treatment significantly reduced soil strength relative to control at all sites. There were significant treatment and location interactions during the years of this study, with higher bulk density sites showing the greatest magnitude and duration of response. The AFM treatments generally increased soil organic matter content, while air tillage alone significantly lowered soil organic matter content. At most sites, the AFM treatment was more effective than surface fertilizer application at improving soil fertility. AFM plots had significantly higher soil water content than other plots during periods of summer drought. Overall, AFM was effective in improving soils beneath established trees, and mulching was the most beneficial of the individual treatments.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(6): November 2011
Response of Maple (Acer spp.) to Soil Compaction
Barbara A. Fair, James D. Metzger, and James Vent
This study assessed soil compaction effects on above ground growth of maple cultivars, and compared two nitrogen rates applied pre-planting for their influence on establishment and growth of trees planted into compacted soils. Eight commonly used maple cultivars of Acer rubrum and Acer × freemanii were evaluated.
During container production, plants received nitrogen through fertigation twice per day. Trees were planted into non-compacted field plots or into compacted plots. In 2002, researchers randomly selected half of the compacted plots and applied an additional soil treatment. At the completion of this treatment, trees growing in higher density soils had significantly smaller above ground biomass measures, than those growing in non-compacted plots. There was a significant difference among cultivars. For example, ‘Celzam’ and ‘Fairview Flame’ had greater above ground biomass values than other cultivars when grown in compacted soils, but compaction still affected growth. The increased nitrogen applications increased leaf dry weight and area, but did not impact height and caliper growth or stem dry weight.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 38(2) March 2012.
Hurricane Igor Impacts
Yolanda F. Wiersma, Troy L. Davis, Elizabeth C. Eberendu, Ian Gidge, Maria Jewison, Hiliary C. Martin, Kaylah C. Parsons, Heidi Patterson, and Ashley Quirke
Hurricane Igor was a rare Category 1 hurricane event for the island of Newfoundland. While much larger and more frequent storms are not unexpected at more southern latitudes, trees in more northern latitudes have not had a chance to evolve in response to hurricane-force winds. The rarity of the storm afforded a unique opportunity to assess factors affecting tree fall in an urban setting situated within a boreal ecozone. Consistent with the dominant pattern across a range of studies from the tropics, subtropics, and temperate zones the size of trees (measured as DBH) was the best predictor of whether an individual tree was snapped or uprooted.
Given that there were no clear patterns of different species being more or less susceptible to snapping/uprooting, coupled with the rarity of the storm, recommendations for planting to avoid wind damage cannot be made at this time. The intense rain and soil saturation was likely a major factor in the amount of damage, and those trees with more shallow roots simply fell over in the wet, shallow soils. Due to the island’s location in the North Atlantic, any future hurricane events are likely to be preceded by high rainfall. Thus the only planting strategy that might avoid damage to infrastructure is to make sure large trees are not adjacent to infrastructure (e.g., buildings, power lines), especially when those trees are on particularly shallow, rocky, or poorly drained soils. However, damage to trees and forest ecosystems will likely be unavoidable in future hurricane events in Newfoundland.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 38(3) May 2012.
Organic Amendment Effects on Soil Carbon and Microbials in the Root Zone
P. Eric Wiseman, Susan D. Day, and J. Roger Harris
There is increasing interest in amending degraded soils with organic matter to improve soil quality, especially in urban areas where rehabilitation of damaged soils may enhance tree growth. To assess the potential of such organic amendments for producing a sustained alteration in soil biological characteristics, researchers studied the effects of three organic amendments incorporated into the root zone of three tree species on root development, soil carbon dynamics, and soil microbial biomass over one year beginning 20 months after amendment application.
Soil amendment with leaf-based, and to a lesser extent, biosolid based composts increased root length within the amended root zone of red maple (Acer rubrum), but not of pin oak (Quercus palustris) or chestnut oak (Q. montana). There was a concomitant increase in microbial biomass carbon for red maple.
Across all species, sphagnum peat moss amendment reduced microbial biomass carbon by 47% compared to unamended root zones and suppressed maximum seasonal soil respiration relative to composts. In contrast, leaf-based compost increased microbial biomass carbon by 12% compared to unamended root zones. Carbon/nitrogen ratios remained stable throughout most of the year except in the root zones of chestnut oak and pin oak amended with peat, where it declined 44%–85%. Total soil carbon was stable in all treatments, although unamended soils averaged about 40% lower than amended soils. Across all species and treatments, cumulative fine root length explained 19% of the variation in microbial biomass carbon.
The study authors conclude that soil microbial activity can be increased by compost amendment of the root zone and that this increase is mediated somewhat by tree roots. In addition, stable C/N ratios suggest this alteration in the root zone may be sustainable. Further research may clarify whether compost amendment combined with tree planting can accelerate soil restoration.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 38(6) November 2012.
Survey of Nurseries Indicates Need for Education on Plant Species Diversity
Nicole R. Polakowski, Virginia I. Lohr, and Teresa Cerny-Koenig
Recent pest outbreaks, such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, have renewed concerns about the lack of genetic and species diversity in landscapes across the United States. However, the level of understanding of these issues by people in the green industry is not known. A survey on the knowledge of plant species diversity issues was distributed to Washington U.S., wholesale nurseries. Respondents showed a general awareness of the issue, but they had insufficient understanding of why the lack of species diversity is a problem. Respondents who had learned about plant species diversity in educational settings beyond high school were more likely than others to understand the issues. These results show the need for increased, in-depth education on why plant species diversity among landscape plants is important.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(6) November 2011
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test. ISA will award .5 CEUs for a passing grade. SAF members will earn .5 CEUs for every 5 passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA. If you are also a Certified Forester, we will report your passing test scores to SAF for no additional cost. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist or BCMA management credits.
Members of SAF can earn 0.5 hour Cat. 1-CT credits for every five passing test scores. SAF requires five passing test scores before reporting.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA and MTOA members may submit your ISA certification record to these organizations and receive credits one for one.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to gibneyCE.com’. That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test. Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers. These numbers are important for reporting purposes.
To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page. If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.
All test scores are sent to gibneyCE.com automatically when you press ‘next’ after taking the test and reviewing your answers. You will see a sending responses message after which you will be returned to our website. It is important to go through this process for your score to be recorded properly. All passing test scores are then sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks after that.* ISA maintains a record of earned CEU credits on their website
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.
Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the sending responses message.