Archive #52 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists
September/October 2013
Sections
Tree of the Seminar 52
By Len Phillips
The ‘Autumn Blaze’ Maple is a hybrid that has the best features of the red and silver maples. This tree has a uniform growing habit that is broadly oval and tolerates most urban sites. This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
Botanical Name: Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’
Common Name: Freeman Maple
Cultivar: Autumn Blaze Maple
Parentage: Acer rubrum x A. saccharinum, introduced by Jeffers Nursery, Fostoria, OH in late 1960’s
Plant Patent: # 4864
Height: 50’ – 60’
Spread: 40’
Form: Broad oval form with ascending branches
Bloom Period: Very early
Flower: Reddish, in clusters, female
Fruit: Nearly seedless
Summer Foliage: Rich medium green in summer, deep lobes, smaller than silver maple
Autumn Foliage: Bright orange red in fall, persistent fall color
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray, thin bark is easily damaged when tree is young
Habitat: Grows well throughout the US and Canada
Culture: Rich, well-drained soil, tolerates urban pollution and dry conditions better than parents, tolerates most sites and alkaline soil but prefers acidic soil conditions
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
Growth Rate: Vigorous, full size in 30 years
Pest Problems: Very few problems
Storm Resistance: Good branching habit makes it better than the silver maple parent
Salt Resistance: Fair
Planting: Transplants easily by bare root, B&B or container, tolerates CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form, withstands severe pruning
Propagating: Softwood cuttings in summer with permission of Jeffers Nursery
Design Uses: Excellent average size specimen and street tree
Companions: Use with shrubs such as Taxus, evergreen Euonymus, and perennial Geranium
Other Comments: Excellent street tree, one of the best Freeman hybrids
Awards: 1997 Iowa Tree of the Year
Photos: 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, 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.
By Len Phillips
The ‘Autumn Blaze’ Maple is a hybrid that has the best features of the red and silver maples. This tree has a uniform growing habit that is broadly oval and tolerates most urban sites. This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
Botanical Name: Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’
Common Name: Freeman Maple
Cultivar: Autumn Blaze Maple
Parentage: Acer rubrum x A. saccharinum, introduced by Jeffers Nursery, Fostoria, OH in late 1960’s
Plant Patent: # 4864
Height: 50’ – 60’
Spread: 40’
Form: Broad oval form with ascending branches
Bloom Period: Very early
Flower: Reddish, in clusters, female
Fruit: Nearly seedless
Summer Foliage: Rich medium green in summer, deep lobes, smaller than silver maple
Autumn Foliage: Bright orange red in fall, persistent fall color
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray, thin bark is easily damaged when tree is young
Habitat: Grows well throughout the US and Canada
Culture: Rich, well-drained soil, tolerates urban pollution and dry conditions better than parents, tolerates most sites and alkaline soil but prefers acidic soil conditions
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
Growth Rate: Vigorous, full size in 30 years
Pest Problems: Very few problems
Storm Resistance: Good branching habit makes it better than the silver maple parent
Salt Resistance: Fair
Planting: Transplants easily by bare root, B&B or container, tolerates CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form, withstands severe pruning
Propagating: Softwood cuttings in summer with permission of Jeffers Nursery
Design Uses: Excellent average size specimen and street tree
Companions: Use with shrubs such as Taxus, evergreen Euonymus, and perennial Geranium
Other Comments: Excellent street tree, one of the best Freeman hybrids
Awards: 1997 Iowa Tree of the Year
Photos: 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, 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.
Non-profit Contributions to Urban Forestry
By Gordon Mann
In times of tight budgets and climate change, funding for tree management should not be a lower priority than it often is. One way to deal with this issue is to consider working with or creating a non-profit group that would contribute to urban forestry in your city. I am sharing experiences from three perspectives – 1) assisting to form a non-profit, 2) working for a non-profit, and 3) observing non-profits in other communities.
Forming a Non-profit for Planting
Redwood City, CA, has a non-profit group called CityTrees that was founded in May 2000 by two friends of a council member and current Mayor, who asked them to start a tree planting non-profit. At the time, one of the founders was volunteering for the street tree program performing data entry to close a work order gap for a new computerized inventory program. This was also at the time when I was as the Redwood City Arborist. As soon as I learned of the intent to form the group, I asked to meet with the co-founders to discuss what their vision was and what their needs might be to accomplish this vision. I explained how things relating to their vision could be accomplished in the City, and asked if they were interested in working together. A non-controlling approach with the intent to help them was offered, and it helped everyone be more successful.
We partnered on grants the City couldn’t qualify for alone. The City worked with the non-profit to develop a process that met their resource capabilities. All trees were initially planted in the public right-of-way and the City had leadership and authority over which trees would perform well in the intended locations (supported by the City’s approved tree list). No matter who planted the City’s trees, each location required the following steps:
- inspection of the site and marking the planting location,
- calling Underground Services for utility marking,
- delivering informational notices to the property owners,
- ordering, delivering, and planting the trees,
- cleaning up the sites when the planting was finished.
The non-profit participated in the property owner notification and added support including:
- personally communicating with the property owners at each home scheduled to receive trees,
- encouraging tree watering by residents,
- inviting property owners to participate with the volunteers on their street,
- providing refreshments and organizing a large enough cast of volunteers to transform a block with vacant planting sites to a fully stocked street in a three-to-four hour time frame.
Adding Non-profit Pruning
CityTrees was also interested in pruning the trees they planted and increasing stewardship of the young trees.
As a result of this interest, CityTrees hosted annual pruning events called “lop and lunch”, or “prune and pub”, or “nip and nosh”. This meant a meal and refresher training in pruning following with pruning the young trees by the trained volunteers in a block by block format. All the work was performed standing on the ground, and the majority of the cuts were made with hand pruners. The debris was collected in 96 gallon wheeled containers, and at the end of an event, all the sites were clean.
Educating and training a cadre of volunteers had two advantages to the community:
- The participants knew more about trees and how to properly plant and prune, along with the knowledge that we don’t just plant trees, we have a stewardship responsibility.
- The trained volunteers took their knowledge and performed the same best management practices on their own and their neighbor’s trees on private property.
Results
City staff attended the CityTrees monthly evening board meetings to coordinate the logistics of each event, and presence in the community. The first grant received was for 23 consecutive monthly planting events. The goal was not to ask the question, “Was CityTrees planting this month?”, but rather, “Where is CityTrees planting this month?”
An evaluation was performed on each event to monitor if the City staff present on a particular event could have performed the same or more work than what was completed by the volunteers. The result was that every event accomplished more than the City staff could perform. Plus, community involvement, neighborhood energy, media coverage, and enthusiasm, all raised pride in the community for being able to accomplish a meaningful activity.
The CityTrees volunteer opportunity provided a stage for Redwood City companies such as H-P, Oracle, and Intel to include their employees as community volunteers alongside other community groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis, schools, and religious institutions. The City Council and media were supportive of the community efforts and the relationship between the non-profit and staff was professional and non-political. More Information
Community Benefits
The benefits to the community were multifaceted.
- The collaboration with CityTrees planted more trees, communicated with more citizens prior to and after planting, and pruned the trees that were planted. Most of the adjacent property owners agreed to water the trees instead of having the city do it.
- The number of volunteers trained to plant trees at each event varied from 20 to 50 depending on the size and scope of the event. The number of volunteers trained to prune trees grew from an initial 6 participants to over 25. Each event started with a brief refresher training session to remind participants of the important elements of planting or pruning. The goals were met to perform the work in a proper manner.
Working at a Non-profit
To compare the impact to a community of a larger non-profit, the Sacramento Tree Foundation was formed in the City of Sacramento in 1982. The Mayor and County Board of Supervisors called for a non-profit to be formed with a half-time volunteer Executive Director. The first efforts were to plant trees in parks, schools, and along certain streets. The efforts and programs grew over the next 31 years to include:
- an education program,
- the planting of energy saving trees on private property,
- supporting the formation of the Alliance for Community Trees,
- monitoring the elm trees in Sacramento,
- supporting the establishment of the Center for Urban Forest Research in Davis, CA,
- creating “State of the Urban Forest Reports”,
- supporting urban heat island research,
- introducing a native tree planting initiative,
- supporting a City-wide mistletoe removal program,
- initiating a regional initiative, the Greenprint, with the goal to double the tree canopy in the populated areas of 22 cities and 6 counties based on the goal of improving air quality by planting 5 million trees,
- promoting the inclusion of trees in the regional air quality district's “10-year State Implementation Plan”.
The Tree Foundation’s goal is to build the best urban forest in the region. Along the way, the Tree Foundation supported community involvement, other non-profits, website resources, developed the NeighborWoods program for community tree management, and public recognition of trees and community tree leadership through an annual Tree Heroes Award program. More Information
Problems with Non-profits
I have witnessed non-profits that can be a problem for the local agencies. Some examples to watch for include:
- a non-profit attacking an agency and accusing the agency of poor practices,
- the staff criticizing the non-profit.
Anytime an agency or non-profit is attacked and perceived to be inept or inefficient, it is unlikely a decision maker will invest more funds or resources in the effort. Often the conflict can be resolved with a facilitated meeting between staff and the non-profit to learn what both sides are thinking, what their needs are, and learning if there is any common ground. While not every relationship is salvageable, the staff initiation to resolve the conflict and try to restore a working relationship will look better than doing nothing. Demonstrating the ability to mitigate a challenging conflict can be a path to leadership and promotion.
Benefits of a Non-profit
Involving interested members of the public in promoting non-profit tree programs is justified because:
- most elected officials avoid emotional passionate public discussions, and trees can arouse one's passion,
- the majority of trees in most communities are on private property (50% to 80%) where most communities have no authority,
- most communities have a challenge communicating with the public about proper tree care,
- influential community members can move a proposal through the system faster than staff.
Conclusion
Non-profits have a unique interaction with the community. Balancing the staff responsibilities with a community group requires good communication and sharing of information. Developing solutions may have reduced initial costs, and gained support as everyone's ideas are watched and accepted. If an approach needs tweaking, the first steps are easier to tweak and modify. When the community group, staff, and elected leaders have the same vision of success, the opportunities for supported achievement of the vision is much greater.
The development of criteria, protocols, and levels of responsibility for staff and the non-profit tasks are essential for accountability and evaluation. Agreements and outcomes that can be measured and adjusted are the basis for owning each partner’s portion of the program or project. In some cases, the non-profit will lead the program, while in other areas, the staff will lead the program. The difference is usually based on the experience and credibility of the staff and the energy, resources, and experience of the non-profit. The best recipe for success is early communication, clarity of goals and objectives, and teaming together to contribute what each entity can bring towards the desired outcome.
There are many high profile non-profits such as the Arbor Day Foundation, Casey Trees, and Tree People that have a lot of information and examples of quality programs. If you have a local non-profit, staff can work to build or re-align the relationship into a productive partnership. If your community is interested in developing a non-profit, many non-profits are willing to assist in the formation and help jump start a group. If the timing and circumstances are right, a non-profit can be a valuable resource to a community.
Gordon Mann has the experience of a municipal arborist/urban forester, combined with the experience of working with a local non-profit that was started in the community, working as non-profit staff, helping other communities develop a non-profit, serving on non-profit boards, and watching other communities interact with non-profits.
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, 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.
Guide to Pruning
By Cass Turnbull
Pruning should be done to enhance a tree's natural beauty, to make it seem less oppressive, and to reduce the size somewhat.
Making Cuts
There are two types of heading cuts, non-selective and selective. A non-selective cut is basically cutting off the tip or end of a branch at no place in particular. Wherever a cut is made, hidden dormant buds located directly below the cut are stimulated into growing into several new branches right at the end of the cut. This new growth is most often skinny, unsightly, and straight water sprouts. Furthermore, the tree speeds up its growth rate, creating weak branches.
Selective Heading
Selective heading cuts, also called reduction cuts, are the right way to reduce the length of a branch by cutting off one or two forks of a branch. The arborist selects the longest fork, follows it back to where it joins a shorter side branch and cuts it off there. The side branch should be big enough to take over as the branch’s terminal leader. The remaining fork will not respond by producing water sprouts. As an average, the remaining side branch should be at least half the diameter of the parent stem. Selective heading is also called drop crotching, crown reduction, or de-horning. It is not as bad as topping, but it poses severe risks and is not the magic solution to the tree that has become too big. Selective heading reduces the amount of regrowth, looks more natural, and is easier on the health of the tree.
Very large cuts on very old trees may succeed in constraining the size, but at an unacceptable cost to the health, safety, and longevity of the tree. Rot invades the main limbs, the tree expends valuable energy to deal with the wounds, and it may decline and die as a result. Even if the tree recovers, it will be more dangerous as a result. The lateral branches that take over as the main branches of the tree will likely be weaker and more prone to breakage even thirty years later. When done correctly, selective heading should be limited to a relatively few branches of a mature tree.
Thinning
The thinning cut removes a branch back to another branch completely. In other words you cut a smaller or side branch off its larger parent stem. Most good pruning cuts consist of thinning cuts. Thinning cuts do not make trees smaller overall; they just reduce the bulk and clutter of the tree, making it sort of “see-through”. Thinning of the lower, most interfering branches of a tree is more permanent and less harmful than crown reduction. Thinning cuts are better for the health and good looks of the trees than heading cuts. Thinning cuts should be limited so that no more than 1/8 total leaf surface of the tree is removed in a single year.
Compartmentalization
Trees are the largest, longest-lived organisms on the planet. The reason is an incredible defense mechanism called compartmentalization. When a tree is injured, it walls-off or compartmentalizes the injured area internally by chemically altering the wood in predictable patterns. Trees do not heal; they set up barriers to rot and then try to out-grow it. Sometimes a tree compartmentalizes well and only a small pocket of rot remains sealed off inside the trunk as the tree grows larger. Sometimes the decay spreads up and down in a long column. The only wood that does not decay is wood that develops after an injury has occurred.
The knowledge of this process means that arborists no longer have to dig out the rotten cavity in a tree and fill it like a dentist. It also means that there is no need to cut back to sound wood or drill a hole to drain water out of the cavity. Both of these activities make a brand new wound that allows the decay to enter into previously protected areas of the tree.
The Branch Collar
Branch wood is different from trunk wood. In the spring, a tree will add a layer of wood to a branch. Then the trunk puts out its own new layer of wood. Where the trunk wood meets the base of the limb, it laminates over the limb creating sort of a bulge called the branch collar. The branch is separate tissue from the trunk and is just held in place, buried inside the trunk by each year's new layer of wood. This lamination process is repeated every year.
When you prune off a limb, you should be careful to cut off only the branch wood and avoid cutting or wounding the trunk wood. This means you cut to the collar but not into it, since that would open up the trunk to decay. If you cut the branch off too far out, away from the trunk, the branch will die back to the collar, leaving a stub of dead wood. In general the right place to cut is almost like a dotted line where the branch starts to get fatter near the trunk. The angle of the cut varies because the collars vary.
Therefore, when pruning heavier branches and ones that have narrow crotches, it is wise to use a multi-cut system of removal. First remove the weight of the branch by cutting it off farther out from the trunk. Start by making an undercut, then saw down from the top of the branch. This prevents the saw from getting stuck and the bark from tearing off and leaving a long wound. Once the weight is gone a more proper pruning cut at the collar can be made.
Pruning Young Trees
A young tree is less than fifteen years old. The main goal of young tree pruning is to remove the suckers, remove the temporary limbs, and to minimize the included bark.
- Tree suckers are the straight, thin rapidly grown shoots that arise from the trunk, the roots, or below a graft union. The suckers should be cut off just as they meet the trunk. Suckers that arise from below ground are often the result of the tree being planted too deep. If that is the reason, the tree should be dug up and replanted with the trunk flare right at the finished soil level.
- The temporary limbs are the lower limbs that need to be removed to provide clearances for people, cars, etc. These limbs feed the trunk, making it stronger and giving it a good taper. Limbing up a young tree should be done before the limbs become half the diameter of the trunk.
- Included bark occurs when two leaders of equal size are growing at the upper part of the trunk. As the two leaders expand, they push each other apart and the tree can break causing one or both of the co-leaders to break from the tree. The solution is to remove one of the leaders with a proper cut.
The above excerpts are from my recent book “Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning. The intention of this book is to provide a useful pruning guide that clearly and simply describes how to prune trees according to the latest standards. For more information on the book, it is available from Sasquatch Books.
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, 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.
Disease Resistant Crabapple Cultivars
By Len Phillips
Crabapples are known for their early summer flowers and many are also known for their persistent fruits that last all winter long. Despite these desirable features, crabs are susceptible to many diseases that cause early leaf drop, disfigurement and in the worst cases, early death of the trees. The first part of this article describes crabapples in general and the cultivars listed after this are crabs that have been bred to resist the four main diseases that attack most crabapples.
Common Name: Crabapple
Botanical Name: Malus species
Family: Rosaceae
Parentage: native
Bark: Dark brown or gray
Habitat: Does very well throughout the U.S.
Culture: Well drained acidic soil
Growth Rate: Medium, full size in 25 years
Storm Resistance: Good
Salt Resistance: Good
Planting: Fibrous roots allow any transplanting technique, including bare root, in spring only, does well in CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form
Propagating: Budding, grafting, softwood cuttings in summer
Design Uses: Excellent for residential, park, and open spaces, as well as under utility wires
Companions: Does well with most perennial groundcovers and other crabapples
Site Requirements: Likes most sites, moist soils, and almost full sun
Other Comments: Dense leaves, vigorous growers, very popular trees
Disease resistant crabapples rated to have excellent resistance to all four diseases – apple scab, fire-blight, cedar-apple rust, and mildew, are:
Adirondack Crabapple, Malus 'Adirondack' – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 18’; Spread: 10’; Shape: densely upright, an inverted cone; Foliage: medium green; Flower: white; Fruit: bright red, 1/2”. Adirondack is an important cultivar because of its form and outstanding flower display. It is a compact, dense tree that produces one of the heaviest flower displays of the crabs. A Don Egolf, U.S. National Arboretum introduction. Fact Sheet
Firebird® Crabapple, Malus sargentii ‘Select A’ – PP #12621 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 8’; Spread: 10’; Shape: rounded, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Flower: white, opening from red buds; Fruit: bright red, 3/8", persistent, high quality. This compact selection of M. sargentii features an annual fruit display that is more persistent than other natural dwarf crabapples. Fact Sheet
Pink Princess™ Crabapple, Malus ‘Parrsi’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 8’; Spread: 10’; Shape: low, spreading; Foliage: purple becoming bronze-green; Flower: rose pink; Fruit: deep red, 1/4". This tree is a pink flowered, red leaf form of Sargent Crab. A naturally dwarf tree with all the desirable features of Sargent, but in a new color. Fact Sheet
Sargent Crabapple, Malus sargentii – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 8’; Spread: 12', Shape: low, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Flower: white; Fruit: red, 1/4”, persistent. This tree is a natural dwarf with horizontal spreading branches. These are laden with bright red fruits that persist long into the winter months. Outstanding when planted in groups. Fact Sheet
Disease resistant crabapples rated to have excellent resistance to three of the diseases and good resistance to the fourth disease are:
Cardinal Crabapple, Malus ‘Cardinal’ – PP #7147 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 16’; Spread: 22’; Shape: broadly spreading; Foliage: dark purple to red, glossy; Flower: magenta pink to red; Fruit: deep red, 1/4". Foliage holds its rich color throughout the summer and has the best disease resistance of crabs with deep purple leaf color. This is an excellent Malus hupehensis hybrid. Fact Sheet
Centurion® Crabapple, Malus ‘Centzam’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 20’; Spread: 15’; Shape: narrow upright; Foliage: reddish-purple, fading to bronze-green in summer; Flower: rose-red; Fruit: bright red, 5/8”. Red buds open to rosy red flowers. Form is strongly upright when young, becoming upright-spreading as it matures.
Prairifire Crabapple, Malus 'Prairifire', Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 20’; Spread: 20’; Shape: upright, spreading, rounded; Foliage: purple, becoming reddish green; Flower: bright pinkish red; Fruit: dark red, 3/8”-1/2”. One of the best red leafed crabs, Prairifire makes an impressive landscape impact. Attributes include long lasting bright red flowers, excellent red fruit, and attractive reddish bark. Fact Sheet
Robinson Crabapple, Malus 'Robinson' – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 25’; Spread: 25’; Shape: upright, spreading, becomes rounded with age; Foliage: bronze-green; Flower: deep pink; Fruit: red, 3/8”. This fast growing crabapple becomes established and makes an impact in the landscape quickly, yet matures at normal crabapple size. Fact Sheet
Sargent Tina Crabapple, Malus sargentii ‘Tina’ - Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 5’; Spread: 6’; Shape: small rounded dwarf tree; Foliage: medium green, small leaves; Flower: bright red buds opening to single white flowers; Fruit: bright red, 1/4”. This is a very petite crabapple that is grown as a top graft at the top of a long trunk (giving it a 5' diameter lollipop appearance at the top of a long trunk). Flowers, fruit and leaves are all quite small. Fact Sheet
Zumi Calocarpa Crabapple, Malus × zumi ‘Calocarpa’ - Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 20’; Spread: 24’; Shape: rounded, gracefully spreading; Foliage: green; Flower: red buds, white flowers; Fruit: red, 3/8”, persistent. Very popular, widely used and time tested; this is a standard for comparison of all white flowered crabs. Fact Sheet
For more information on other crabapple varieties and their disease resistance, please refer to the Crabapple Information Chart.
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, 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.
By Len Phillips
Crabapples are known for their early summer flowers and many are also known for their persistent fruits that last all winter long. Despite these desirable features, crabs are susceptible to many diseases that cause early leaf drop, disfigurement and in the worst cases, early death of the trees. The first part of this article describes crabapples in general and the cultivars listed after this are crabs that have been bred to resist the four main diseases that attack most crabapples.
Common Name: Crabapple
Botanical Name: Malus species
Family: Rosaceae
Parentage: native
Bark: Dark brown or gray
Habitat: Does very well throughout the U.S.
Culture: Well drained acidic soil
Growth Rate: Medium, full size in 25 years
Storm Resistance: Good
Salt Resistance: Good
Planting: Fibrous roots allow any transplanting technique, including bare root, in spring only, does well in CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form
Propagating: Budding, grafting, softwood cuttings in summer
Design Uses: Excellent for residential, park, and open spaces, as well as under utility wires
Companions: Does well with most perennial groundcovers and other crabapples
Site Requirements: Likes most sites, moist soils, and almost full sun
Other Comments: Dense leaves, vigorous growers, very popular trees
Disease resistant crabapples rated to have excellent resistance to all four diseases – apple scab, fire-blight, cedar-apple rust, and mildew, are:
Adirondack Crabapple, Malus 'Adirondack' – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 18’; Spread: 10’; Shape: densely upright, an inverted cone; Foliage: medium green; Flower: white; Fruit: bright red, 1/2”. Adirondack is an important cultivar because of its form and outstanding flower display. It is a compact, dense tree that produces one of the heaviest flower displays of the crabs. A Don Egolf, U.S. National Arboretum introduction. Fact Sheet
Firebird® Crabapple, Malus sargentii ‘Select A’ – PP #12621 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 8’; Spread: 10’; Shape: rounded, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Flower: white, opening from red buds; Fruit: bright red, 3/8", persistent, high quality. This compact selection of M. sargentii features an annual fruit display that is more persistent than other natural dwarf crabapples. Fact Sheet
Pink Princess™ Crabapple, Malus ‘Parrsi’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 8’; Spread: 10’; Shape: low, spreading; Foliage: purple becoming bronze-green; Flower: rose pink; Fruit: deep red, 1/4". This tree is a pink flowered, red leaf form of Sargent Crab. A naturally dwarf tree with all the desirable features of Sargent, but in a new color. Fact Sheet
Sargent Crabapple, Malus sargentii – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 8’; Spread: 12', Shape: low, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Flower: white; Fruit: red, 1/4”, persistent. This tree is a natural dwarf with horizontal spreading branches. These are laden with bright red fruits that persist long into the winter months. Outstanding when planted in groups. Fact Sheet
Disease resistant crabapples rated to have excellent resistance to three of the diseases and good resistance to the fourth disease are:
Cardinal Crabapple, Malus ‘Cardinal’ – PP #7147 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 16’; Spread: 22’; Shape: broadly spreading; Foliage: dark purple to red, glossy; Flower: magenta pink to red; Fruit: deep red, 1/4". Foliage holds its rich color throughout the summer and has the best disease resistance of crabs with deep purple leaf color. This is an excellent Malus hupehensis hybrid. Fact Sheet
Centurion® Crabapple, Malus ‘Centzam’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 20’; Spread: 15’; Shape: narrow upright; Foliage: reddish-purple, fading to bronze-green in summer; Flower: rose-red; Fruit: bright red, 5/8”. Red buds open to rosy red flowers. Form is strongly upright when young, becoming upright-spreading as it matures.
Prairifire Crabapple, Malus 'Prairifire', Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 20’; Spread: 20’; Shape: upright, spreading, rounded; Foliage: purple, becoming reddish green; Flower: bright pinkish red; Fruit: dark red, 3/8”-1/2”. One of the best red leafed crabs, Prairifire makes an impressive landscape impact. Attributes include long lasting bright red flowers, excellent red fruit, and attractive reddish bark. Fact Sheet
Robinson Crabapple, Malus 'Robinson' – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 25’; Spread: 25’; Shape: upright, spreading, becomes rounded with age; Foliage: bronze-green; Flower: deep pink; Fruit: red, 3/8”. This fast growing crabapple becomes established and makes an impact in the landscape quickly, yet matures at normal crabapple size. Fact Sheet
Sargent Tina Crabapple, Malus sargentii ‘Tina’ - Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 5’; Spread: 6’; Shape: small rounded dwarf tree; Foliage: medium green, small leaves; Flower: bright red buds opening to single white flowers; Fruit: bright red, 1/4”. This is a very petite crabapple that is grown as a top graft at the top of a long trunk (giving it a 5' diameter lollipop appearance at the top of a long trunk). Flowers, fruit and leaves are all quite small. Fact Sheet
Zumi Calocarpa Crabapple, Malus × zumi ‘Calocarpa’ - Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 20’; Spread: 24’; Shape: rounded, gracefully spreading; Foliage: green; Flower: red buds, white flowers; Fruit: red, 3/8”, persistent. Very popular, widely used and time tested; this is a standard for comparison of all white flowered crabs. Fact Sheet
For more information on other crabapple varieties and their disease resistance, please refer to the Crabapple Information Chart.
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, 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.
Research Briefs 52
Edited by Len Phillips
Anchorage Influence by Production Method and Root Pruning
Edward F. Gilman
The objectives of this study were to compare the post-planting anchorage of container-grown and field-grown (balled and burlapped) live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and to evaluate the effects of root pruning and post-planting irrigation placement on anchorage and growth.
At seven months after planting, field-grown trees were approximately 50% better secured to the soil than trees from containers. However, removing the peripheral 5 cm (2 in) of the container root ball at the planting time, improved the anchorage of container-grown trees by approximately 13% without reducing diameter growth or causing visible symptoms. Irrigation placement (applied directly on the root ball or to a wider area) had no effect on anchorage and growth. There appeared to be no benefit to irrigating the soil around the root ball during tree establishment in the fine sand soils that receive 120 mm (5 in) annual rainfall.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(1): January, 2013
Effects of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on the Properties of Ash Trees
Anand B. Persad, John Siefer, Roy Montan, Scott Kirby, Oscar J. Rocha, Michael E. Redding, Christopher M. Ranger, and Andrew W. Jones
Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect borer on ash trees, currently occurs in the Untied States and Canada. In many regions, large populations of ash trees are affected with many trees exhibiting partial to full canopy dieback. Several cases exist in northwest Ohio, U.S., where EAB infested ash branches or stems fail prematurely during deadwood pruning or whole tree removal. This study was initiated to resolve the effects of EAB on the material properties of ash branches and stems.
Visually non-infested ash trees and trees with recent and advanced EAB activity were examined. The data from static loading tests on primary branches indicate that maximum bending stress at failure was not significantly lower in EAB infested trees compared to non-infested trees. Examination of the fracture zone, however, revealed that wood moisture was significantly lower and more cracking was observed in wood sections of branches taken from EAB infested trees. During static loading, branches revealed that wood moisture was significantly lower and more cracking was observed in wood sections of branches taken from EAB infested trees. During static loading, branch failure at the union occurred only in the EAB infested trees. In a wood resistance evaluation of infested and non-infested ash stems, significantly lower resistance was observed in advanced EAB infested ash stems when drilled at the base compared to drill sites 1 m (40 in) above. This was not observed at similar drill site heights in the visually non-infested ash stems.
These data may help identify risk elements associated with structural and material degradation of ash wood as early as one to two years after infestation by EAB.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(1): January, 2013
The Arboricultural and Economic Benefits of Formative Pruning Street Trees
C.M. Ryder and G.M. Moore
Research was undertaken in Australia to determine the need for, and costs of, formative pruning to recently planted street trees. Specimens of Corymbia citriodora, Platanus × acerifolia, Pyrus calleryana, Quercus palustris, and Ulmus parvifolia were surveyed. Health was similar for all species, but form and structure varied. Data showed that codominant stems (68%) and included bark (40%) in the canopy or trunk were by far the most common structural defects. Co-dominant stems were reported in 92% of all Ulmus parvifolia, 66% of Quercus palustris, 61% of Pyrus calleryana, 44% of Platanus × acerifolia, and 19% of Corymbia citriodora. The number of trees of a species that displayed no structural defects was 25% or less except for Corymbia citriodora with 60% showing no structural defects.
The pruning required to rectify these structural defects was recorded and then multiplied by a time factor for pruning with secateurs (hand pruners), a handsaw, or a pole pruner. Total time was then converted to an economic cost using current labor market prices. Platanus × acerifolia required the most work per tree with a final formative pruning cost of AUD$4.13 followed by Ulmus parvifolia ($3.25), Pyrus calleryana ($2.76), Quercus palustris ($1.62), and Corymbia citriodora ($0.99). This compares with an average cost of $44.59 per tree for structural pruning 20 year old trees. Formative pruning makes sound arboricultural and economic sense.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(1): January, 2013
Conversion Efficiency and Economics of Urban Wood Utilization
Craig A. Tinus and Michael LaMana
Because of changes in land-use zoning, many standard forest management activities are no longer possible in urban and suburban woodland properties being developed. This trend has created an influx of wood fiber into municipal landfills at significant cost to both landowners and municipalities. An alternative to landfill or other off-site disposal was evaluated. This option returned wood products to the landowner in a fee-for-service business model. Additionally, the cost for removal was modeled in comparison to the potential value of the wood as lumber.
In a case study, the overall average marginal difference to the landowner for material removal was a cost of USD $35 from all job sites; which was essentially break-even. This approach was cost competitive with landfill disposal, and landowners were able to benefit from wood products derived from trees that were being removed because of site development. Additionally, these landowners were preferentially choosing a form of material recycling that likely reduced the load to municipal waste disposal sites, and as such was a benefit to the community.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(1) January, 2013
The Effect of Trees on Residential Property Values of Communities in Ohio
Kelley C. Dimke, T. Davis Sydnor, and David S. Gardner
The value of the urban forest as a component of the urban environment is significant. Trees provide both environmental and social benefits to urban dwellers. In many cities, financial support for urban forestry is on the decline. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact trees have on property values of six communities of varying socioeconomic levels in Ohio, U.S. Tax assessor records were obtained for property sales between the years 2000 and 2005. One hundred sites were randomly selected from each of the six communities. Data were collected from each site during the winter as well as the summer months. Dominant genus, caliper of dominant genus, estimate of tree cover, and overall property maintenance were recorded.
The average (mean) effect of tree canopy across all six communities was an increase of approximately USD $780 per one percent increase in tree cover. The mean sale price across the 600 sites was $188,730; the mean canopy cover was 25.8%. This indicates the average value of tree canopy is $20,226 or 10.7% of the sale price of the home.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(2): March 2013
A Comparison of Three Methods for Measuring Local Urban Tree Canopy Cover
Kristen L. King and Dexter H. Locke
Measurements of urban tree canopy cover are crucial for managing urban forests and required for the quantification of the benefits provided by trees. These types of data are increasingly used to secure funding and justify large-scale planting programs in urban areas. Comparisons of tree canopy measurement methods have been conducted before, but a rapidly evolving set of new technologies and applications may leave urban foresters wondering, “Which method is most appropriate for my circumstances?”
This analysis compares two well-established measures of local tree canopy and building cover with a third, relatively untested technique. Field-based visual estimations (using the USDA Forest Service’s i-Tree protocols), summaries of high resolution land cover data using geographic information systems (GIS), and an analysis of skyward-oriented hemispherical photographs at 215 roadside sites across the five diverse counties of New York City, New York, U.S., are the methods evaluated here.
The study authors found no statistically significant differences between the methods when comparing tree canopy; however, the hemispherical camera had a tendency to overestimate building coverage. It is concluded that hemispheric photo techniques are understudied in urban areas, and that the i-Tree and GIS-based approaches are complementary and reinforcing tools indispensable for both the urban forest management and research communities.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 39(2): March 2013
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, 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.