Archive #58 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists – September/October 2014
Sections Click on the green words for more information
Sections Click on the green words for more information
Tree Hacking
Edited by Len Phillips
Genetic modification is chasing a rose that glows at night and super-trees designed for fuel production! Could we develop glow-in-the-dark trees to light our streets instead of electric street lamps or trees that will soak up excess carbon that contributes to global warming? Everything is possible with genetic modification.
In the United States, interest in commercializing biotechnology has focused on agricultural and timber crops. In Australia, a number of genetically modified flowers have been commercialized and successfully marketed around the world for the cut flower industry, clearly showing the potential for genetic modification. Floriculture researchers have spent decades discovering and tweaking the genes that turn various plant attributes on and off. Unnatural colors, variegation, leaf size and spacing, scent, longevity, and disease resistance are some of the attributes that have been explored by scientists everywhere. The most tangible result of all that research is the handful of commercial varieties now available to florists such as a purple rose that gets its color from a pansy.
Genetic modification is being used to enhance forest timber in a variety of ways. This includes plans to develop trees that grow straighter and faster, trees that produce more cellulose for pulp or bio-fuel, or trees that overcome pests and growing difficulties. A company from South Carolina called ArborGen is growing eucalyptus engineered for the pulp and paper industry to have frost tolerance in Florida. FuturaGene, an Israeli company is testing drought and salt-tolerant genetically modified poplars for bio-fuel. International Paper is developing an herbicide resistant sweetgum.
American chestnut
The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is being reestablished in the Appalachian Mountains where the chestnut was considered the redwood of the East by early settlers and where they made up 25% of the Eastern forest. The tree produced significant amounts of food for wildlife. However, a fungus, known as the chestnut blight Cryphonectria parasitica (formerly known as Endothia parasitica) was accidentally introduced from Asia around 1900 and spread rapidly throughout the East. By 1940 the species was almost gone except for the seedlings that died after producing one crop of seeds. This pattern of one crop of seeds and then death has kept the species surviving but with no large trees.
The American chestnut research efforts have been focused on crossing the American variety with its blight-resistant Chinese cousin (Castanea mollissima) in the traditional fashion of cross breeding to develop a variety of chestnut that is 99% American and the 1% Chinese is providing the disease resistance. Efforts on this project will be continuing for several more years and another generation or two of tree seedlings.
In the meantime, other efforts to deal with the chestnut blight have focused on genetic modification. Scientists are taking genes from blight resistant wheat and crossing them with the American chestnut that will result in a chestnut variety that is resistant to the blight.
Pros and Cons
Genetic modification could be providing solutions to a few long-term environmental issues. One thing that is certain is that unless there is a major policy intervention, biotechnology will become only more abundant with or without the best science available. Transgenic trees should not be used until research indicates there will be no adverse environment effects caused by their use.
Unfortunately, all of these trees are creating concerns about invasiveness and unintended ecological consequences from genetically modified plants. Genetically engineered organisms could become just another environmental problem, along with the over use of pesticides, rapidly spreading invasive species, and global climate change.
The traditional effort is more acceptable among those who question the use of genetic modification technology. Traditional breeding has been in use for 10,000 years and is far better, well tested, and more understood, than modern laboratory genetic modification. It just takes longer to get the results.
Source
• Williams, Kevan, “Here come the Plant Hackers”, Landscape Architecture, September 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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Edited by Len Phillips
Genetic modification is chasing a rose that glows at night and super-trees designed for fuel production! Could we develop glow-in-the-dark trees to light our streets instead of electric street lamps or trees that will soak up excess carbon that contributes to global warming? Everything is possible with genetic modification.
In the United States, interest in commercializing biotechnology has focused on agricultural and timber crops. In Australia, a number of genetically modified flowers have been commercialized and successfully marketed around the world for the cut flower industry, clearly showing the potential for genetic modification. Floriculture researchers have spent decades discovering and tweaking the genes that turn various plant attributes on and off. Unnatural colors, variegation, leaf size and spacing, scent, longevity, and disease resistance are some of the attributes that have been explored by scientists everywhere. The most tangible result of all that research is the handful of commercial varieties now available to florists such as a purple rose that gets its color from a pansy.
Genetic modification is being used to enhance forest timber in a variety of ways. This includes plans to develop trees that grow straighter and faster, trees that produce more cellulose for pulp or bio-fuel, or trees that overcome pests and growing difficulties. A company from South Carolina called ArborGen is growing eucalyptus engineered for the pulp and paper industry to have frost tolerance in Florida. FuturaGene, an Israeli company is testing drought and salt-tolerant genetically modified poplars for bio-fuel. International Paper is developing an herbicide resistant sweetgum.
American chestnut
The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is being reestablished in the Appalachian Mountains where the chestnut was considered the redwood of the East by early settlers and where they made up 25% of the Eastern forest. The tree produced significant amounts of food for wildlife. However, a fungus, known as the chestnut blight Cryphonectria parasitica (formerly known as Endothia parasitica) was accidentally introduced from Asia around 1900 and spread rapidly throughout the East. By 1940 the species was almost gone except for the seedlings that died after producing one crop of seeds. This pattern of one crop of seeds and then death has kept the species surviving but with no large trees.
The American chestnut research efforts have been focused on crossing the American variety with its blight-resistant Chinese cousin (Castanea mollissima) in the traditional fashion of cross breeding to develop a variety of chestnut that is 99% American and the 1% Chinese is providing the disease resistance. Efforts on this project will be continuing for several more years and another generation or two of tree seedlings.
In the meantime, other efforts to deal with the chestnut blight have focused on genetic modification. Scientists are taking genes from blight resistant wheat and crossing them with the American chestnut that will result in a chestnut variety that is resistant to the blight.
Pros and Cons
Genetic modification could be providing solutions to a few long-term environmental issues. One thing that is certain is that unless there is a major policy intervention, biotechnology will become only more abundant with or without the best science available. Transgenic trees should not be used until research indicates there will be no adverse environment effects caused by their use.
Unfortunately, all of these trees are creating concerns about invasiveness and unintended ecological consequences from genetically modified plants. Genetically engineered organisms could become just another environmental problem, along with the over use of pesticides, rapidly spreading invasive species, and global climate change.
The traditional effort is more acceptable among those who question the use of genetic modification technology. Traditional breeding has been in use for 10,000 years and is far better, well tested, and more understood, than modern laboratory genetic modification. It just takes longer to get the results.
Source
• Williams, Kevan, “Here come the Plant Hackers”, Landscape Architecture, September 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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
What Is Biochar?
Edited by Len Phillips
Biochar is an ancient, yet newly rediscovered soil amendment that is being promoted around the US as gardeners, farmers, and plant lovers of all types learn of the intriguing properties and benefits of biochar added to the soil. It is basically the same product as charcoal but the main difference is its use. Charcoal is used as a fuel and biochar is used as a soil amendment and aids in sequestering carbon.
Arborists have begun to learn about how to use biochar as a soil amendment to solve some common soil problems such as low organic matter in disturbed soils, soil compaction, soil water retention, and nutrient leaching. Biochar is not activated carbon, but it does have some similar characteristics, including a large surface area that is chemically active. It takes biochar hundreds to thousands of years to break down, forming a kind of semi-permanent compost. The longevity of the biochar comes from its being highly stable in the soil.
How is biochar made?
Biochar is derived from biomass such as wood chips, crop residues, and manures processed by pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is decomposition brought about by high temperatures in a low or no-oxygen environment to produce a carbon-enriched charcoal that promotes microbial activity when it contacts soil.
That is the basic biochar making process, but the end product is not a single, well defined substance. Depending on the time and temperature, different biochars can have very different properties. Biochar can tie up substantial amounts of carbon from the carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere, reducing the effects of global warming. Biochar is clean and safe to use in soil, although reaching the full benefits of biochar will require decades. It takes biochar hundreds to thousands of years to break down, forming a kind of semi-permanent compost.
Tree roots and biochar
Fused carbon rings form the micro-structure of the common form of biochar. This structure supports soil fungal and bacterial life while holding water and nutrients. Plant roots love it, and with proper nutrient support, plants of all kinds including trees, seem to thrive in biochar. A coarser form is highly porous and has robust ion-exchange properties.
How does biochar work?
Professional arborists in Japan use biochar applications in root-zone trenches to revive the much-loved ancient trees on the grounds of temples and shrines. These trees suffer from soil compaction caused by visitor’s feet. Prior to application, the biochar is inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and nutrients. Research shows that biochar increases the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi in soil, and this allows the roots to grow and relieve the compaction. Inoculated biochar has also become a popular ingredient in nursery media for increased tree seedling survival and growth.
It appears that biochar additions would be positive for urban sites to:
* improve nutrient availability,
* reduce nutrient leaching and fertilizer requirements,
* reduce soil acidity,
* improve water quality,
* reduce stormwater runoff and irrigation needs because it holds free water.
* increase soil particle surfaces and reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases,
* be active in soil physics, chemistry and biology, unlike vermiculite or expandable shale,
* resist soil compression,
* reuse organic waste,
* enhance damaged city soils without importing expensive sands and aggregates to aerate compacted soil,
* depreciate structurally over time to become enriched sub-soil.
Black soil
Black soil sites are the accumulation of centuries of man-induced biochar created by ‘slash and burn’ agriculture or the depositing of “garbage” and fire remains by prehistoric inhabitants. On the black soil sites, with the highest fertility, there is clear evidence to the site having multi-millennia of activity.
Biochar v. charcoal
The issue of charcoal vs. bio char is real and distinct. Although they are both made from carbon, charcoal production is a ‘hot fire” procedure; all volatiles are consumed and expelled. It is pure carbon and inert.
Biochar production is low heat, often wet wood, partially consumed. Nearly all the K and much of the N are retained. Commercial charcoal is heartwood and slabs. Much of the biochar is “slash” and vegetative matter. Throwing partially crushed charcoal into the soil will have a physical contribution, but it lacks the complexity and the reactive longevity of biochar.
Research results
In the US, biochar research has begun to move out of the universities and government labs and into the hands of professional arborists. Researchers found clear improvements using biochar amendments, particularly in sandy soils where biochar's water holding capacity is a big boost.
Researchers have also found that it can take several years for biochar to accumulate nutrients and boost soil life. Often the greatest effects are not seen until the second or third year after a biochar application. For long-lived species such as trees, this feature of biochar is an important benefit with the potential to reduce care and maintenance needs over the long term.
Biochar application techniques
Applying biochar to planting holes can improve the growth of trees and reduce transplant shock. When applying biochar to planting holes, mix the biochar with the back fill soil, and do not apply very large amounts of biochar.
Researchers are focused on looking for the most economical and effective methods for adding biochar to the soil. Some recent studies have looked at:
1. soil auguring and filling the holes with a biochar (“vertical mulching”).
2. air spade excavation and mixing biochar into the soil being backfilled, has resulted in physical compaction improvement.
3. liquid injection of fine biochar/water slurries using existing fertigation technologies. The liquid injection method looks promising in preliminary research results.
4. biochar can be applied in trenches radiating out from the base of established trees (“radial trenching”).
5. broadcast spreading over the soil surface can be done by hand or by using spreaders or broadcast seeders.
6. plowing is not recommended as it is unlikely to mix the biochar into the soil and may result in deep biochar layers.
Biochar research on vegetable plants found that the product-amended plants seemed to develop a strong resistance to disease. Biochar gardens also exhibited less water stress than untreated plants.
Given the variables in biochar material and compounds, tree care professionals can provide substantial value to tree plantings by following the research and development of biochar and learning about successful applications. Ideally, biochar should comprise about 5% to 8% of soil volume.
Biochar for the Future
Biochar has additional potential benefits of bioenergy production and carbon sequestration. Instead of a wood chipper with the urban forestry and arboriculture crews, they might be well suited for mobile units that provide fast-pyrolysis systems that could convert urban wood waste into bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Units could be strategically located at or near biomass removal locations to convert low-value urban wood waste into easily stored and transportable fuel to be used for heat, power, and chemical production. The biochar produced could then be returned to the site as a means for improving urban soil quality and storing carbon in the soil. Research is still in its infancy on the economic feasibility of bioenergy production systems and biochar application using residual woody biomass from forest management activities, but these efforts may be useful for adaptation to the urban forest wood utilization.
Sources
* “Amazonian Terra Preta Can Transform Poor Soil Into Fertile” Science Daily, Mar. 1, 2006.
* Conversations with participants of LinkedIn's Urban Forestry Discussion Group, 2011 and 2014.
* Major, Julie, “Practical aspects of biochar application to tree crops”, IBI Technical Bulletin #102, 2010.
* Wilson, Kelpie, “Biochar for Arborists”, Tree Care Industry, September 2012.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Edited by Len Phillips
Biochar is an ancient, yet newly rediscovered soil amendment that is being promoted around the US as gardeners, farmers, and plant lovers of all types learn of the intriguing properties and benefits of biochar added to the soil. It is basically the same product as charcoal but the main difference is its use. Charcoal is used as a fuel and biochar is used as a soil amendment and aids in sequestering carbon.
Arborists have begun to learn about how to use biochar as a soil amendment to solve some common soil problems such as low organic matter in disturbed soils, soil compaction, soil water retention, and nutrient leaching. Biochar is not activated carbon, but it does have some similar characteristics, including a large surface area that is chemically active. It takes biochar hundreds to thousands of years to break down, forming a kind of semi-permanent compost. The longevity of the biochar comes from its being highly stable in the soil.
How is biochar made?
Biochar is derived from biomass such as wood chips, crop residues, and manures processed by pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is decomposition brought about by high temperatures in a low or no-oxygen environment to produce a carbon-enriched charcoal that promotes microbial activity when it contacts soil.
That is the basic biochar making process, but the end product is not a single, well defined substance. Depending on the time and temperature, different biochars can have very different properties. Biochar can tie up substantial amounts of carbon from the carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere, reducing the effects of global warming. Biochar is clean and safe to use in soil, although reaching the full benefits of biochar will require decades. It takes biochar hundreds to thousands of years to break down, forming a kind of semi-permanent compost.
Tree roots and biochar
Fused carbon rings form the micro-structure of the common form of biochar. This structure supports soil fungal and bacterial life while holding water and nutrients. Plant roots love it, and with proper nutrient support, plants of all kinds including trees, seem to thrive in biochar. A coarser form is highly porous and has robust ion-exchange properties.
How does biochar work?
Professional arborists in Japan use biochar applications in root-zone trenches to revive the much-loved ancient trees on the grounds of temples and shrines. These trees suffer from soil compaction caused by visitor’s feet. Prior to application, the biochar is inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and nutrients. Research shows that biochar increases the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi in soil, and this allows the roots to grow and relieve the compaction. Inoculated biochar has also become a popular ingredient in nursery media for increased tree seedling survival and growth.
It appears that biochar additions would be positive for urban sites to:
* improve nutrient availability,
* reduce nutrient leaching and fertilizer requirements,
* reduce soil acidity,
* improve water quality,
* reduce stormwater runoff and irrigation needs because it holds free water.
* increase soil particle surfaces and reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases,
* be active in soil physics, chemistry and biology, unlike vermiculite or expandable shale,
* resist soil compression,
* reuse organic waste,
* enhance damaged city soils without importing expensive sands and aggregates to aerate compacted soil,
* depreciate structurally over time to become enriched sub-soil.
Black soil
Black soil sites are the accumulation of centuries of man-induced biochar created by ‘slash and burn’ agriculture or the depositing of “garbage” and fire remains by prehistoric inhabitants. On the black soil sites, with the highest fertility, there is clear evidence to the site having multi-millennia of activity.
Biochar v. charcoal
The issue of charcoal vs. bio char is real and distinct. Although they are both made from carbon, charcoal production is a ‘hot fire” procedure; all volatiles are consumed and expelled. It is pure carbon and inert.
Biochar production is low heat, often wet wood, partially consumed. Nearly all the K and much of the N are retained. Commercial charcoal is heartwood and slabs. Much of the biochar is “slash” and vegetative matter. Throwing partially crushed charcoal into the soil will have a physical contribution, but it lacks the complexity and the reactive longevity of biochar.
Research results
In the US, biochar research has begun to move out of the universities and government labs and into the hands of professional arborists. Researchers found clear improvements using biochar amendments, particularly in sandy soils where biochar's water holding capacity is a big boost.
Researchers have also found that it can take several years for biochar to accumulate nutrients and boost soil life. Often the greatest effects are not seen until the second or third year after a biochar application. For long-lived species such as trees, this feature of biochar is an important benefit with the potential to reduce care and maintenance needs over the long term.
Biochar application techniques
Applying biochar to planting holes can improve the growth of trees and reduce transplant shock. When applying biochar to planting holes, mix the biochar with the back fill soil, and do not apply very large amounts of biochar.
Researchers are focused on looking for the most economical and effective methods for adding biochar to the soil. Some recent studies have looked at:
1. soil auguring and filling the holes with a biochar (“vertical mulching”).
2. air spade excavation and mixing biochar into the soil being backfilled, has resulted in physical compaction improvement.
3. liquid injection of fine biochar/water slurries using existing fertigation technologies. The liquid injection method looks promising in preliminary research results.
4. biochar can be applied in trenches radiating out from the base of established trees (“radial trenching”).
5. broadcast spreading over the soil surface can be done by hand or by using spreaders or broadcast seeders.
6. plowing is not recommended as it is unlikely to mix the biochar into the soil and may result in deep biochar layers.
Biochar research on vegetable plants found that the product-amended plants seemed to develop a strong resistance to disease. Biochar gardens also exhibited less water stress than untreated plants.
Given the variables in biochar material and compounds, tree care professionals can provide substantial value to tree plantings by following the research and development of biochar and learning about successful applications. Ideally, biochar should comprise about 5% to 8% of soil volume.
Biochar for the Future
Biochar has additional potential benefits of bioenergy production and carbon sequestration. Instead of a wood chipper with the urban forestry and arboriculture crews, they might be well suited for mobile units that provide fast-pyrolysis systems that could convert urban wood waste into bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Units could be strategically located at or near biomass removal locations to convert low-value urban wood waste into easily stored and transportable fuel to be used for heat, power, and chemical production. The biochar produced could then be returned to the site as a means for improving urban soil quality and storing carbon in the soil. Research is still in its infancy on the economic feasibility of bioenergy production systems and biochar application using residual woody biomass from forest management activities, but these efforts may be useful for adaptation to the urban forest wood utilization.
Sources
* “Amazonian Terra Preta Can Transform Poor Soil Into Fertile” Science Daily, Mar. 1, 2006.
* Conversations with participants of LinkedIn's Urban Forestry Discussion Group, 2011 and 2014.
* Major, Julie, “Practical aspects of biochar application to tree crops”, IBI Technical Bulletin #102, 2010.
* Wilson, Kelpie, “Biochar for Arborists”, Tree Care Industry, September 2012.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Tree of the Seminar 58
By Len Phillips
The Crimson Sunset® Shantung Maple is a hybrid that makes a handsome and very tough street tree. This tree has a uniform growing habit that is a nice oval shape and it tolerates most urban sites. This tree is so important and suitable for city life that it has its own website. This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son nursery.
Trade Name: Crimson Sunset® Shantung Maple
Botanical Name: Acer truncatum x A. platanoides ‘JFS-KW202’
Plant Patent: PP # 21838
Parentage: Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Family: Aceraceae
Year of Introduction: 2009
Height: 35’
Spread: 25’
Form: Upright oval
Bloom Period: May
Flower: Greenish yellow
Fruit: Samara, greenish ripening to light brown
Summer Foliage: Deep purple, glossy, 5 lobes,
Autumn Foliage: Maroon to reddish bronze
Winter Color: Bark provides winter interest
Bark: Purple tinged when young, gray brown with age
Habitat: Northern China
Culture: Excellent heat, high pH, and drought tolerance, grows in most soils
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Growth Rate: Moderate, 35' tall in 30 years, 16 inches a year
Pest Resistance: Excellent
Storm Resistance: Good
Salt Resistance: Good
Planting: bare root, suitable for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune damage at planting time and in 3 years later to form
Propagating: Budded or grafted
Design Uses: Specimen for lawn or park, street and residential
Companions: Use with evergreen shrubs planted the year after planting the tree
Other Comments: Heat and drought tolerance are the distinguishing characteristic of this hybrid. Its foliage resembles that of Crimson King, but its form is more upright and compact. Thanks to the Acer truncatum parentage, it flourishes in the summer heat where few purple leafed plants will grow, excellent tree for city streets.
Photo: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
By Len Phillips
The Crimson Sunset® Shantung Maple is a hybrid that makes a handsome and very tough street tree. This tree has a uniform growing habit that is a nice oval shape and it tolerates most urban sites. This tree is so important and suitable for city life that it has its own website. This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son nursery.
Trade Name: Crimson Sunset® Shantung Maple
Botanical Name: Acer truncatum x A. platanoides ‘JFS-KW202’
Plant Patent: PP # 21838
Parentage: Introduced by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Family: Aceraceae
Year of Introduction: 2009
Height: 35’
Spread: 25’
Form: Upright oval
Bloom Period: May
Flower: Greenish yellow
Fruit: Samara, greenish ripening to light brown
Summer Foliage: Deep purple, glossy, 5 lobes,
Autumn Foliage: Maroon to reddish bronze
Winter Color: Bark provides winter interest
Bark: Purple tinged when young, gray brown with age
Habitat: Northern China
Culture: Excellent heat, high pH, and drought tolerance, grows in most soils
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Growth Rate: Moderate, 35' tall in 30 years, 16 inches a year
Pest Resistance: Excellent
Storm Resistance: Good
Salt Resistance: Good
Planting: bare root, suitable for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune damage at planting time and in 3 years later to form
Propagating: Budded or grafted
Design Uses: Specimen for lawn or park, street and residential
Companions: Use with evergreen shrubs planted the year after planting the tree
Other Comments: Heat and drought tolerance are the distinguishing characteristic of this hybrid. Its foliage resembles that of Crimson King, but its form is more upright and compact. Thanks to the Acer truncatum parentage, it flourishes in the summer heat where few purple leafed plants will grow, excellent tree for city streets.
Photo: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Trimming by RVT
By David Lloyd-Jones
“Reduction Via Thinning” (RVT) is a new and innovative process involving the removal of a small number of branches that are carefully removed at natural pruning points within the canopy of a tree. The effect is to slightly reduce and thin the canopy which reduces wind resistance and gives the roots, trunk, and structural branches a simple mechanical advantage. This is achieved while retaining the shape, function, and character of the tree.
The Process
The branches that were fixed when the tree was young are the most strongly attached to the main trunk and therefore are the least likely to fail. To trim and reduce the size of a tree, concentrate on removing the peripheral foliage bearing branches. This copies the way a tree allows its branches to fail in a high wind. The intent is to remove only a small percentage (typically between 5% and 20%) of branches in a manner similar to the tree's gradual aging process.
The shape of a tree is predetermined by design and by evolution as well as the way that the loss of a branch from a weak fork or crotch also alters the shape of the tree. The leaves at the tips of every branch extend in all directions and are wind loaded the most during a storm. It is these small branches at the weak forks that are the first to fail.
Evolutionary Design
Trees have been designed by evolution to react passively to extreme climatic events and variable climatic cycles by a simple adaptive and progressive wind pruning. Trees naturally develop strategically weak points in their structure, at forks where branches are attached. These forks have variable strength specifically for facilitating subtle and progressive branch failure as winds increase in strength. These potential pruning points enable the tree to survive a storm rather than totally failing.
Arborists, who can recognize the weaker branch unions, understand how trees are designed to fail. The successive years of growth create more branch unions of variable strength. These appear to facilitate wind pruning and give the tree the ability to adapt and change its size and shape rather than simply fail at the roots.
These relatively weak and "acute" forks are now a benefit because they are all a tree needs to passively survive a strong wind by shedding the most exposed peripheral branches, back to branch forks predominantly (but not exclusively) positioned at the points of successive years of growth.
The emerging revelation contained in all these facts is that "RVT" is actually "Simulated Wind Pruning". The only difference is that humans are simulating the wind and resulting branches are removed safely and precisely, leaving small wounds that grow over quickly rather than natural rip wounds that can be extensive and are therefore more likely to lead to decay. The crucial thing is that by closely mimicking how a tree is designed by evolution to be wind pruned means that this type of pruning on landscape trees can reduce risks while also keeping the tree looking as natural as possible.
Sway Factor
By pruning a number of these primary branches with weak forks, back to one of the stronger branch unions, not only is the tree’s shape reduced, but the tree's peripheral mass is also reduced slightly. This reduced mass, reduces the amount of time it takes for the tree to sway and recover after being hit by a gust of wind. This reduced mass also means that the tree is less likely to fail in total. My own tests show that the removal of some peripheral mass will raise the sway frequency by a significant percentage greater than the simple percentage of foliage removed.
Business Factors
Because RVT is actually very efficient in terms of logistics of the job and therefore man hours, it usually compares very favorably in terms of cost with other pruning methods. After all, logistically the climber is moving to a few peripheral branches and is removing them back to pruning points within the canopy. This is the same kind of bold strokes that typify what the wind does, literally punching holes in the tree canopy.
In comparison to many other pruning methods, RVT does not automatically create the need for follow up tree work, unless you want to control a tree’s ultimate size and thereby retain it long term at an optimum size for the location. It is progressive and creates an optional need for repeatable specification but once done it does not automatically create the need to do it again which other types of tree pruning require.
Conclusion
A tree's ability to dynamically adapt comes directly from their structure and specifically from the weaknesses that evolution has taught trees to build into their structure. They will survive to reproduce in the period immediately after a storm.
Lloyd -Jones, David, “Tree Morphogenesis Book 1 Reduction Via Thinning”, Chapter 5, Kindle Edition, 2013. David Lloyd-Jones is an arborist from Knutsford, Cheshire, UK. You may contact him at this address.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
By David Lloyd-Jones
“Reduction Via Thinning” (RVT) is a new and innovative process involving the removal of a small number of branches that are carefully removed at natural pruning points within the canopy of a tree. The effect is to slightly reduce and thin the canopy which reduces wind resistance and gives the roots, trunk, and structural branches a simple mechanical advantage. This is achieved while retaining the shape, function, and character of the tree.
The Process
The branches that were fixed when the tree was young are the most strongly attached to the main trunk and therefore are the least likely to fail. To trim and reduce the size of a tree, concentrate on removing the peripheral foliage bearing branches. This copies the way a tree allows its branches to fail in a high wind. The intent is to remove only a small percentage (typically between 5% and 20%) of branches in a manner similar to the tree's gradual aging process.
The shape of a tree is predetermined by design and by evolution as well as the way that the loss of a branch from a weak fork or crotch also alters the shape of the tree. The leaves at the tips of every branch extend in all directions and are wind loaded the most during a storm. It is these small branches at the weak forks that are the first to fail.
Evolutionary Design
Trees have been designed by evolution to react passively to extreme climatic events and variable climatic cycles by a simple adaptive and progressive wind pruning. Trees naturally develop strategically weak points in their structure, at forks where branches are attached. These forks have variable strength specifically for facilitating subtle and progressive branch failure as winds increase in strength. These potential pruning points enable the tree to survive a storm rather than totally failing.
Arborists, who can recognize the weaker branch unions, understand how trees are designed to fail. The successive years of growth create more branch unions of variable strength. These appear to facilitate wind pruning and give the tree the ability to adapt and change its size and shape rather than simply fail at the roots.
These relatively weak and "acute" forks are now a benefit because they are all a tree needs to passively survive a strong wind by shedding the most exposed peripheral branches, back to branch forks predominantly (but not exclusively) positioned at the points of successive years of growth.
The emerging revelation contained in all these facts is that "RVT" is actually "Simulated Wind Pruning". The only difference is that humans are simulating the wind and resulting branches are removed safely and precisely, leaving small wounds that grow over quickly rather than natural rip wounds that can be extensive and are therefore more likely to lead to decay. The crucial thing is that by closely mimicking how a tree is designed by evolution to be wind pruned means that this type of pruning on landscape trees can reduce risks while also keeping the tree looking as natural as possible.
Sway Factor
By pruning a number of these primary branches with weak forks, back to one of the stronger branch unions, not only is the tree’s shape reduced, but the tree's peripheral mass is also reduced slightly. This reduced mass, reduces the amount of time it takes for the tree to sway and recover after being hit by a gust of wind. This reduced mass also means that the tree is less likely to fail in total. My own tests show that the removal of some peripheral mass will raise the sway frequency by a significant percentage greater than the simple percentage of foliage removed.
Business Factors
Because RVT is actually very efficient in terms of logistics of the job and therefore man hours, it usually compares very favorably in terms of cost with other pruning methods. After all, logistically the climber is moving to a few peripheral branches and is removing them back to pruning points within the canopy. This is the same kind of bold strokes that typify what the wind does, literally punching holes in the tree canopy.
In comparison to many other pruning methods, RVT does not automatically create the need for follow up tree work, unless you want to control a tree’s ultimate size and thereby retain it long term at an optimum size for the location. It is progressive and creates an optional need for repeatable specification but once done it does not automatically create the need to do it again which other types of tree pruning require.
Conclusion
A tree's ability to dynamically adapt comes directly from their structure and specifically from the weaknesses that evolution has taught trees to build into their structure. They will survive to reproduce in the period immediately after a storm.
Lloyd -Jones, David, “Tree Morphogenesis Book 1 Reduction Via Thinning”, Chapter 5, Kindle Edition, 2013. David Lloyd-Jones is an arborist from Knutsford, Cheshire, UK. You may contact him at this address.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Managing Circling Roots
Edited by Len Phillips
Researchers have studied ways to deal with circling roots as well as preventing them. The following are the most common ways to deal with them.
Mechanical cutting
Mechanically cutting the root ball or disturbing a tree’s roots before planting is the standard procedure when planting a tree that has circling roots. Planters cut the root ball to stop circling roots from becoming girdled which may lead to tree stress or tree loss. However there is no evidence to suggest that mechanical cutting or disturbing the roots before planting is needed to stop further root circling, or that root circling in a container does not continue once planted out into the ground. In addition, there does not appear to be any advantage in cutting the roots that are circling. Circled roots stay in the same position as they grew in their container. Where new roots grow naturally into the soil, old roots start to thicken in their circled position and as they grow, they tighten around the vascular system in the tree’s trunk and restrict the vascular function.
Studies also found that root slicing before planting did not increase the amount of roots produced after planting. They also found that there was a reduction in shoot growth after root disturbance without daily irrigation. This leads to the problem of making sure the tree gets watered daily to try to reduce the potential problems that root slicing can bring.
Straightening Roots
Trying to physically straighten circling roots does not work either. Sometimes if the roots are very small, they can be straighten somewhat. Larger roots can be pulled a bit, but if the root should happen to crack or even break off, the damage and open wound could cause premature death to the tree.
Copper Coatings
In the not-too-distant past, copper was applied on the inside of a container to prevent roots from growing near the container wall. The chemicals copper hydroxide (CuOH2), copper carbonate (CuCO3) and copper sulfide (CuS) were sprayed on the inside of the container covering the walls and bottom. Copper sulfide was also infused in Kraft paper and placed as a liner inside the container.
When a tree root reached the wall of the container and touched the copper coating, the root tip was killed causing it to produce lateral roots behind the dead tissue. This method did produce a more fibrous root system in the middle of the root ball. However a number of problems were found with using the copper treatments. The copper paint was sometimes unevenly or badly applied which caused the roots to spiral. This problem only appeared when the tree roots were well developed and at this stage it was too late to correct. Some trees belonging to the Legume family and Protea family were also unsuitable for growth in containers coated with copper. Also many nursery people did not like using chemicals to create a good root system when there were more economical and environmentally friendly ways of doing it.
Container Design
When growers or nursery people are selecting a container, they look at four main features:
Container Shape
Container shape has become an important consideration when nursery people choose a growing container. It has been found that the standard plastic round, smooth walled container creates problems with root circling.
Some trials were conducted several years ago on six different container types to find their effectiveness in minimizing or preventing the development of circling roots. The containers used were, straight walled, ribbed, square, stepped, low-profile, and poly bag.
The poly-bag and stepped pyramid containers were successful in minimizing root circling. The square container, which has holes along the side corners, was also good at preventing roots from circling around the sides of the container but this design encouraged roots to grow to the bottom of the container where roots would begin to circle again. Researches also found problems with the ribbed container. When the container was over filled with growing media, roots were found to grow up and trace the container’s top lip and then the roots circled.
A review in the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS, 2010) magazine suggested that ribs on the inside of a growing container directed roots to grow downwards to the bottom of the container thus reducing root circling around the container wall. However it goes on to say that once the root reaches the bottom of the container they start to circle the base. With tap rooted species, once the tap root reached the bottom of the container it begins to circle.
Air Pruning Containers
Containers with holes in the side walls are called air pruning containers. Air pruning containers are designed to prune a root when it reaches the container side wall. This is done by means of directing the root to the opening in the container wall. When the root reaches the opening, the root tip is dehydrated and stops growing. When the root dries out, it then branches laterally behind the dried out root tip. As the root branches laterally this creates a more fibrous root system. Air pruned roots have less roots on the outside of the root ball, with more roots in the inner core of the root ball. By air pruning the root, the root is naturally sealed through cauterization. Unlike mechanical methods used to prune roots, the air pruning method does not leave a wound which can provide entry for pathogens and disease.
One problem with air pruning containers is that roots can sense the drier part of the growing media near the air pruning holes. The roots react to this by growing away from the drier area and so do not get air pruned. Some containers have developed a way to catch the root and direct it to the air pruning hole.
Fabrics
Fabric containers can be used above or below ground. When used above ground the root tip doesn’t grow through the fabric. When it reaches the side wall it gets trapped in the fabric and stops elongating. The root becomes round and thick resulting in loss of hormonal dominance over root development. The results of this is secondary branching behind this point. This technique creates a fibrous root system inside the container.
Fabric containers can also be used below ground. The roots will grow through the pores in the fabric which becomes tighter as the root grows. The root constriction stops the root from getting too large. When the root is restricted from thickening it causes root branching behind this point inside the container creating a fibrous root system. Due to the root constriction, sugars from the leaves are stopped from going beyond the fabric wall.
This creates nodules on the root in the container. When planted into the open ground these nodules then produce rapid root growth into the surrounding soil. However, researchers have found there are some problems with using fabric containers. When the fabric is removed from the root ball outer surface, it will remove any roots that were either trapped in the fabric or growing through the fabric. Also the fabric usually has to be cut away from the root ball meaning it cannot be used again. The researchers found that growing a tree for too long in fabric containers can cause roots to circle but if the tree is managed correctly and planted in an appropriate sized fabric container there should be no problem.
Researchers have found that trees with taproots are more susceptible to circling than trees with a fibrous root. They suggest that taproot trees should have its roots pruned when it is still a seedling. Also trees growing in a container get all their water, nutrients and anchorage from the container it grows in, so it does not need the taproot to grow to the depths it does in open ground, so it can be pruned. However, trees growing this way have a reduced need to search for water, so when they are transplanted to the landscape, additional watering is necessary for the first month after planting.
Best Solutions
Many techniques have been used to reduce root circling: chemical pruning, air pruning, constriction, or by using different container wall configurations. All these products reduce root circling but nearly all have some flaws. The nursery standard black plastic container has problems with root circling but it is still the most widely used container in the industry. The black standard container does produce the highest amount of circling roots compared to every other treatment. It also found that the standard black container produces the largest tree. Air pruned roots produce the highest amount of branched roots.
There is no single solution that is best. We are not there yet!
Source
* Blackweir, Damien, “An investigation into root circling in potted nursery stock”, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland, 2010.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Edited by Len Phillips
Researchers have studied ways to deal with circling roots as well as preventing them. The following are the most common ways to deal with them.
Mechanical cutting
Mechanically cutting the root ball or disturbing a tree’s roots before planting is the standard procedure when planting a tree that has circling roots. Planters cut the root ball to stop circling roots from becoming girdled which may lead to tree stress or tree loss. However there is no evidence to suggest that mechanical cutting or disturbing the roots before planting is needed to stop further root circling, or that root circling in a container does not continue once planted out into the ground. In addition, there does not appear to be any advantage in cutting the roots that are circling. Circled roots stay in the same position as they grew in their container. Where new roots grow naturally into the soil, old roots start to thicken in their circled position and as they grow, they tighten around the vascular system in the tree’s trunk and restrict the vascular function.
Studies also found that root slicing before planting did not increase the amount of roots produced after planting. They also found that there was a reduction in shoot growth after root disturbance without daily irrigation. This leads to the problem of making sure the tree gets watered daily to try to reduce the potential problems that root slicing can bring.
Straightening Roots
Trying to physically straighten circling roots does not work either. Sometimes if the roots are very small, they can be straighten somewhat. Larger roots can be pulled a bit, but if the root should happen to crack or even break off, the damage and open wound could cause premature death to the tree.
Copper Coatings
In the not-too-distant past, copper was applied on the inside of a container to prevent roots from growing near the container wall. The chemicals copper hydroxide (CuOH2), copper carbonate (CuCO3) and copper sulfide (CuS) were sprayed on the inside of the container covering the walls and bottom. Copper sulfide was also infused in Kraft paper and placed as a liner inside the container.
When a tree root reached the wall of the container and touched the copper coating, the root tip was killed causing it to produce lateral roots behind the dead tissue. This method did produce a more fibrous root system in the middle of the root ball. However a number of problems were found with using the copper treatments. The copper paint was sometimes unevenly or badly applied which caused the roots to spiral. This problem only appeared when the tree roots were well developed and at this stage it was too late to correct. Some trees belonging to the Legume family and Protea family were also unsuitable for growth in containers coated with copper. Also many nursery people did not like using chemicals to create a good root system when there were more economical and environmentally friendly ways of doing it.
Container Design
When growers or nursery people are selecting a container, they look at four main features:
- ease of handling,
- Stack-ability,
- price, and
- container designs that prevent root circling and create a more fibrous root system.
Container Shape
Container shape has become an important consideration when nursery people choose a growing container. It has been found that the standard plastic round, smooth walled container creates problems with root circling.
Some trials were conducted several years ago on six different container types to find their effectiveness in minimizing or preventing the development of circling roots. The containers used were, straight walled, ribbed, square, stepped, low-profile, and poly bag.
The poly-bag and stepped pyramid containers were successful in minimizing root circling. The square container, which has holes along the side corners, was also good at preventing roots from circling around the sides of the container but this design encouraged roots to grow to the bottom of the container where roots would begin to circle again. Researches also found problems with the ribbed container. When the container was over filled with growing media, roots were found to grow up and trace the container’s top lip and then the roots circled.
A review in the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS, 2010) magazine suggested that ribs on the inside of a growing container directed roots to grow downwards to the bottom of the container thus reducing root circling around the container wall. However it goes on to say that once the root reaches the bottom of the container they start to circle the base. With tap rooted species, once the tap root reached the bottom of the container it begins to circle.
Air Pruning Containers
Containers with holes in the side walls are called air pruning containers. Air pruning containers are designed to prune a root when it reaches the container side wall. This is done by means of directing the root to the opening in the container wall. When the root reaches the opening, the root tip is dehydrated and stops growing. When the root dries out, it then branches laterally behind the dried out root tip. As the root branches laterally this creates a more fibrous root system. Air pruned roots have less roots on the outside of the root ball, with more roots in the inner core of the root ball. By air pruning the root, the root is naturally sealed through cauterization. Unlike mechanical methods used to prune roots, the air pruning method does not leave a wound which can provide entry for pathogens and disease.
One problem with air pruning containers is that roots can sense the drier part of the growing media near the air pruning holes. The roots react to this by growing away from the drier area and so do not get air pruned. Some containers have developed a way to catch the root and direct it to the air pruning hole.
Fabrics
Fabric containers can be used above or below ground. When used above ground the root tip doesn’t grow through the fabric. When it reaches the side wall it gets trapped in the fabric and stops elongating. The root becomes round and thick resulting in loss of hormonal dominance over root development. The results of this is secondary branching behind this point. This technique creates a fibrous root system inside the container.
Fabric containers can also be used below ground. The roots will grow through the pores in the fabric which becomes tighter as the root grows. The root constriction stops the root from getting too large. When the root is restricted from thickening it causes root branching behind this point inside the container creating a fibrous root system. Due to the root constriction, sugars from the leaves are stopped from going beyond the fabric wall.
This creates nodules on the root in the container. When planted into the open ground these nodules then produce rapid root growth into the surrounding soil. However, researchers have found there are some problems with using fabric containers. When the fabric is removed from the root ball outer surface, it will remove any roots that were either trapped in the fabric or growing through the fabric. Also the fabric usually has to be cut away from the root ball meaning it cannot be used again. The researchers found that growing a tree for too long in fabric containers can cause roots to circle but if the tree is managed correctly and planted in an appropriate sized fabric container there should be no problem.
Researchers have found that trees with taproots are more susceptible to circling than trees with a fibrous root. They suggest that taproot trees should have its roots pruned when it is still a seedling. Also trees growing in a container get all their water, nutrients and anchorage from the container it grows in, so it does not need the taproot to grow to the depths it does in open ground, so it can be pruned. However, trees growing this way have a reduced need to search for water, so when they are transplanted to the landscape, additional watering is necessary for the first month after planting.
Best Solutions
Many techniques have been used to reduce root circling: chemical pruning, air pruning, constriction, or by using different container wall configurations. All these products reduce root circling but nearly all have some flaws. The nursery standard black plastic container has problems with root circling but it is still the most widely used container in the industry. The black standard container does produce the highest amount of circling roots compared to every other treatment. It also found that the standard black container produces the largest tree. Air pruned roots produce the highest amount of branched roots.
There is no single solution that is best. We are not there yet!
Source
* Blackweir, Damien, “An investigation into root circling in potted nursery stock”, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland, 2010.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Cultivars of Redbud
Edited by Len Phillips
Redbud has profuse flowers that bloom in April or May before the leaves develop, which makes this a spring favorite. It is attractive as a tree for naturalized garden areas or as a graceful addition to a small yard or a narrow tree lawn. Photo The description that follows provides a summary of similarities that all the cultivars possess. 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: Cercis canadensis
Common Name: Eastern Redbud
Family: Fabaceae
Fruit: Brown pod, 2” – 3” long
Bark: Brown with orange inner bark showing through
Habitat: Eastern half of the US
Culture: Adapts to wide range of soil types, wet and dry tolerant
Site Requirements: Full sun or light shade
Growth Rate: Medium grower, 10’ in 6 years
Pest Resistance: Canker is the only serious problem
Storm Resistance: Fair, tendency to develop narrow crotches that fail in storms
Salt Resistance: Excellent
Planting: Transplant B&B or container, moderately difficult to transplant bare root, suitable for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form
Propagating: Cultivars are budded onto seedling understock
Design Uses: Excellent for street tree and trees in small yards, good as a specimen or in groupings
Appalachian Red Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’ – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 20’; Spread: 25’; Shape: multistem or low branched, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: bright pink flowers emerge from magenta buds. This cultivar has very bright flowers. Magenta buds open to shockingly bright pink blooms, often described as neon pink or hot pink, quite different from the lavender tinted soft pink typically seen in the species. It flowers heavily and has excellent dark green summer foliage. Fact Sheet
Chain Flowered Redbud – Cercis racemosa – Height: 20'; Spread: 20'; Zone: 7 – 9; Shape: broadly rounded; Foliage: medium green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: pink, in pendulous racemes. Hanging chains of 20 to 40 light magenta-pink flowers grace the branches of this tree in early spring. Similar in appearance to the native redbud, but the pendulous racemes make it appear to flower more heavily. Fact Sheet
Forest Pansy Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ – Zone: 7 – 9; Height: 20'; Spread: 25'; Shape: upright spreading branches, rounded; Foliage: deep purple paling to bronze-green; Fall Color: yellow orange; Flower: magenta rose. Forest Pansy is a highly prized red-leaved selection of Eastern Redbud. Delicate magenta rose flowers appear before the foliage. New growth is exceptionally glossy. Fact Sheet
Merlot Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’ – PP #22297 – Zone: 6 – 9; Height: 18’; Spread: 20’; Shape: upright spreading, rounded; Foliage: glossy, deep purple becoming bronze purple; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: magenta rose. Compact form and glossier, more heat resistant leaves than those of Forest Pansy suggest better performance in warm climates. This is a selection from the second generation of a cross between ‘Texas White’ x ‘Forest Pansy’ by Dennis Werner of NCSU. Fact Sheet
Oklahoma Redbud – Cercis texensis ‘Oklahoma’ – Zone: 6 – 9; Height: 20'; Spread: 25'; Shape: upright spreading to rounded; Foliage: glossy, thick, bright green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: reddish pink buds open to bright magenta-pink. Heat resistant foliage is deep green, bright and glossy. One of the most impressive redbuds in flower, it is more colorful than the species as its intense reddish pink buds open to a slightly brighter shade of magenta pink. Fact Sheet
The Rising Sun™ Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘The Rising Sun’ – PP #21451 – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 16'; Spread: 20'; Shape: spreading, rounded; Foliage: yellow, with orange new growth; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: magenta rose. A springtime show of magenta flowers clustered along bare branches gives way to apricot orange of the new growth and yellow from the summer foliage. Drought and heat resistance prevents the leaves from burning. Smooth, tan bark adds winter interest. Fact Sheet
White Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Alba’ – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 20’; Spread: 25’; Shape: open, spreading; Foliage: medium green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: white, profuse. White redbud is similar to the species but distinctive for its unusual blooms. Bare branches are smothered in spring with a very profuse crop of clean, white flowers instead of the usual magenta pink blooms for which Redbuds are named. Fact Sheet
There are several other cultivars that may be noteworthy but have ceased to be available in nurseries.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Edited by Len Phillips
Redbud has profuse flowers that bloom in April or May before the leaves develop, which makes this a spring favorite. It is attractive as a tree for naturalized garden areas or as a graceful addition to a small yard or a narrow tree lawn. Photo The description that follows provides a summary of similarities that all the cultivars possess. 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: Cercis canadensis
Common Name: Eastern Redbud
Family: Fabaceae
Fruit: Brown pod, 2” – 3” long
Bark: Brown with orange inner bark showing through
Habitat: Eastern half of the US
Culture: Adapts to wide range of soil types, wet and dry tolerant
Site Requirements: Full sun or light shade
Growth Rate: Medium grower, 10’ in 6 years
Pest Resistance: Canker is the only serious problem
Storm Resistance: Fair, tendency to develop narrow crotches that fail in storms
Salt Resistance: Excellent
Planting: Transplant B&B or container, moderately difficult to transplant bare root, suitable for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form
Propagating: Cultivars are budded onto seedling understock
Design Uses: Excellent for street tree and trees in small yards, good as a specimen or in groupings
Appalachian Red Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’ – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 20’; Spread: 25’; Shape: multistem or low branched, spreading; Foliage: dark green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: bright pink flowers emerge from magenta buds. This cultivar has very bright flowers. Magenta buds open to shockingly bright pink blooms, often described as neon pink or hot pink, quite different from the lavender tinted soft pink typically seen in the species. It flowers heavily and has excellent dark green summer foliage. Fact Sheet
Chain Flowered Redbud – Cercis racemosa – Height: 20'; Spread: 20'; Zone: 7 – 9; Shape: broadly rounded; Foliage: medium green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: pink, in pendulous racemes. Hanging chains of 20 to 40 light magenta-pink flowers grace the branches of this tree in early spring. Similar in appearance to the native redbud, but the pendulous racemes make it appear to flower more heavily. Fact Sheet
Forest Pansy Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ – Zone: 7 – 9; Height: 20'; Spread: 25'; Shape: upright spreading branches, rounded; Foliage: deep purple paling to bronze-green; Fall Color: yellow orange; Flower: magenta rose. Forest Pansy is a highly prized red-leaved selection of Eastern Redbud. Delicate magenta rose flowers appear before the foliage. New growth is exceptionally glossy. Fact Sheet
Merlot Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’ – PP #22297 – Zone: 6 – 9; Height: 18’; Spread: 20’; Shape: upright spreading, rounded; Foliage: glossy, deep purple becoming bronze purple; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: magenta rose. Compact form and glossier, more heat resistant leaves than those of Forest Pansy suggest better performance in warm climates. This is a selection from the second generation of a cross between ‘Texas White’ x ‘Forest Pansy’ by Dennis Werner of NCSU. Fact Sheet
Oklahoma Redbud – Cercis texensis ‘Oklahoma’ – Zone: 6 – 9; Height: 20'; Spread: 25'; Shape: upright spreading to rounded; Foliage: glossy, thick, bright green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: reddish pink buds open to bright magenta-pink. Heat resistant foliage is deep green, bright and glossy. One of the most impressive redbuds in flower, it is more colorful than the species as its intense reddish pink buds open to a slightly brighter shade of magenta pink. Fact Sheet
The Rising Sun™ Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘The Rising Sun’ – PP #21451 – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 16'; Spread: 20'; Shape: spreading, rounded; Foliage: yellow, with orange new growth; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: magenta rose. A springtime show of magenta flowers clustered along bare branches gives way to apricot orange of the new growth and yellow from the summer foliage. Drought and heat resistance prevents the leaves from burning. Smooth, tan bark adds winter interest. Fact Sheet
White Redbud – Cercis canadensis ‘Alba’ – Zone: 5 – 9; Height: 20’; Spread: 25’; Shape: open, spreading; Foliage: medium green; Fall Color: yellow; Flower: white, profuse. White redbud is similar to the species but distinctive for its unusual blooms. Bare branches are smothered in spring with a very profuse crop of clean, white flowers instead of the usual magenta pink blooms for which Redbuds are named. Fact Sheet
There are several other cultivars that may be noteworthy but have ceased to be available in nurseries.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA science credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Chipper Operation and Best Work Practices
By Ken Palmer
One of the very first tasks that a person on a tree crew has is to be responsible for moving brush and feeding the chipper. Being responsible for a chipper and safe operations is all too often under estimated. To operate these machines safely and productively is actually a big responsibility.
Employee Training
Training should always be provided for all personnel that will be involved in safe chipper operation. Feeding, starting, and shutdown procedures for all chippers is a very important part of its operation. Maintenance should only be performed by those persons authorized by the employer and trained to perform proper maintenance to this equipment.
Safe Operations
Along roads and highways the trucks, chipper, and other equipment, as well as brush and logs must not be allowed to create hazards to traffic as well as the tree crew and work observers. Traffic control and safety limits around a job site must be established prior to the start of chipper operations.
When the chipper is set up in the street, they should be fed from the curbside whenever possible. When feeding a chipper along a roadside, the operator and other workers responsible for feeding chipping brush must do so in a manner that prevents him or her from stepping into traffic or being pushed into traffic by the material that is being fed into the chipper. When using a winch or grapple for chipper operations, the operator must be sure that the winch cable and all equipment is properly stored before feeding the chipper.
In order to prevent any type of worker entanglement with the chipper, loose clothing, climbing equipment, body belts, harnesses, lanyards, or gauntlet-type gloves must NOT be worn while operating the chipper.
Brush and logs should always be fed into the chipper with the butt end first and from the side of the feed table centerline. The operator should turn immediately away from the feed table once the brush is taken by the rotor or infeed rollers.
Brush chipper discharge chutes or cutter housing covers must not be raised, opened, or removed while any part of the chipper is operating, turning, or moving. Chippers should not be used unless the discharge chute is of sufficient length or some type of design is provided that prevents personal contact with the blades.
Foreign materials, like stones, nails, sweepings, and rakings, should never be fed into a chipper. Small branches should be fed into a chipper with longer branches or by pushing them in with a long stick. Hands and other parts of the body should not be placed into the in feed hopper when a chipper is running. Pushing or kicking material into infeed chipper hoppers with feet is dangerous and prohibited.
Whenever material is being fed into the chipper infeed hopper chute, pinch points are continually developing within the material being chipped and between the material and machine. The operator needs to be aware of this situation and behave accordingly.
Non-English Speaking Workers
Along with a huge growth in the number of Spanish speaking workers in the U.S. tree care industry, there has been a large increase in the number of injuries and deaths among the non-English speaking workforce. Substantial amounts of OSHA’s recent budgets have been used to increase safety training for non-English speaking workers. Individual tree companies and departments should also provide safety training to all employees, especially non-English speakers.
Manuals, fact sheets, procedural information, warning decals etc. should be provided in the appropriate language and English. Check with the equipment manufacturers for assistance with acquiring non-English manuals and warning decals.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness on the job means being prepared to deal with emergency situations to the best of everyone’s ability. Training, preparation, and planning ahead are necessary in order to be ready to handle the unexpected.
A brush chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to it. A brush chipper is only as good as its operator or operators and this responsibility should never be underestimated.
Let’s take the time to stop, take a step back and think out of the box in order to see the big picture. If we truly want to attract and keep responsible, productive people, and gain the respect of the general public for the truly important and valuable work that we do, then it’s up to each of us to develop and build our departments and companies from the ground up with a focus on safety and best practice. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!
Ken Palmer is President of ArborMaster® Inc.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
By Ken Palmer
One of the very first tasks that a person on a tree crew has is to be responsible for moving brush and feeding the chipper. Being responsible for a chipper and safe operations is all too often under estimated. To operate these machines safely and productively is actually a big responsibility.
Employee Training
Training should always be provided for all personnel that will be involved in safe chipper operation. Feeding, starting, and shutdown procedures for all chippers is a very important part of its operation. Maintenance should only be performed by those persons authorized by the employer and trained to perform proper maintenance to this equipment.
Safe Operations
Along roads and highways the trucks, chipper, and other equipment, as well as brush and logs must not be allowed to create hazards to traffic as well as the tree crew and work observers. Traffic control and safety limits around a job site must be established prior to the start of chipper operations.
When the chipper is set up in the street, they should be fed from the curbside whenever possible. When feeding a chipper along a roadside, the operator and other workers responsible for feeding chipping brush must do so in a manner that prevents him or her from stepping into traffic or being pushed into traffic by the material that is being fed into the chipper. When using a winch or grapple for chipper operations, the operator must be sure that the winch cable and all equipment is properly stored before feeding the chipper.
In order to prevent any type of worker entanglement with the chipper, loose clothing, climbing equipment, body belts, harnesses, lanyards, or gauntlet-type gloves must NOT be worn while operating the chipper.
Brush and logs should always be fed into the chipper with the butt end first and from the side of the feed table centerline. The operator should turn immediately away from the feed table once the brush is taken by the rotor or infeed rollers.
Brush chipper discharge chutes or cutter housing covers must not be raised, opened, or removed while any part of the chipper is operating, turning, or moving. Chippers should not be used unless the discharge chute is of sufficient length or some type of design is provided that prevents personal contact with the blades.
Foreign materials, like stones, nails, sweepings, and rakings, should never be fed into a chipper. Small branches should be fed into a chipper with longer branches or by pushing them in with a long stick. Hands and other parts of the body should not be placed into the in feed hopper when a chipper is running. Pushing or kicking material into infeed chipper hoppers with feet is dangerous and prohibited.
Whenever material is being fed into the chipper infeed hopper chute, pinch points are continually developing within the material being chipped and between the material and machine. The operator needs to be aware of this situation and behave accordingly.
Non-English Speaking Workers
Along with a huge growth in the number of Spanish speaking workers in the U.S. tree care industry, there has been a large increase in the number of injuries and deaths among the non-English speaking workforce. Substantial amounts of OSHA’s recent budgets have been used to increase safety training for non-English speaking workers. Individual tree companies and departments should also provide safety training to all employees, especially non-English speakers.
Manuals, fact sheets, procedural information, warning decals etc. should be provided in the appropriate language and English. Check with the equipment manufacturers for assistance with acquiring non-English manuals and warning decals.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness on the job means being prepared to deal with emergency situations to the best of everyone’s ability. Training, preparation, and planning ahead are necessary in order to be ready to handle the unexpected.
A brush chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to it. A brush chipper is only as good as its operator or operators and this responsibility should never be underestimated.
Let’s take the time to stop, take a step back and think out of the box in order to see the big picture. If we truly want to attract and keep responsible, productive people, and gain the respect of the general public for the truly important and valuable work that we do, then it’s up to each of us to develop and build our departments and companies from the ground up with a focus on safety and best practice. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!
Ken Palmer is President of ArborMaster® Inc.
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Trees in Threes #58
Edited by Len Phillips
We now realize that arborists need a diversity of trees in our urban forests, to guard against disasters like Dutch elm disease. We need to plant more of the superior trees developed through genetic research to utilize the practical experience from practitioners of urban forestry. We have to plan the planting of city trees, and understand the problems and potentials of our actions. However, many cities prefer or have policies to plant the same tree at every suitable location along an entire block. The intention is to improve the aesthetics of the city. But, to avoid monoculture problems in the future, it is clear that plantings like this must be avoided.
Arborists now realize that we need a diversity of trees in our urban forests, to guard against pest problems like the Emerald Ash Borer. We need to plant more of the superior trees developed by the nursery industry to improve the quality of the trees we plant. We have to plan the planting of city trees, and understand the problems and consequences of our actions. However, many cities prefer or have policies to plant the same tree at every suitable location along an entire block. The intention is to provide uniformity to the appearance of the city. But, to avoid monoculture problems in the future, it is clear that plantings like this must be reduced.
Fortunately, it is possible to gain diversity without giving up the aesthetic advantages of uniformity. Through the careful selection and grouping of trees into similar sizes and textures, communities of trees can be created. This provides a genetic diversity while maintaining a visual uniformity. As new pests and diseases inhabit our woody landscapes, species diversity will be a critical key to minimizing their potentially bad impact.
An example combining the best of both worlds might be using Snowdrift Crabapple, Snow Goose Cherry, and Snow Charm Snowbell if you are looking for a row of round trees with white flowers, bright green leaves in summer that turn yellow in the fall, and that grow 20 feet high and 20 feet wide.
Snowdrift Crabapple – Malus ‘Snowdrift’
Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Upright, spreading, rounded, dense
Bark: Grayish brown and scaly
Zone: 4
Foliage: Green, glossy
Fall Color: Yellow
Flower: Pink buds open to be white flowers
Fruit: Orange-red, 3/8” diameter, persistent
Disease Resistance: Scab -- Good; Fireblight -- Fair; Cedar-Apple Rust -- Excellent; Mildew -- Excellent
Fact Sheet
Snowdrift has become one of the most popular crabs since its introduction by Cole Nursery in the 1960’s. This tree is a vigorous grower and heavily textured. The crown is very uniform and symmetrical, making it one of the more formal looking crabapples. This tree is ideal for along a residential street.
Snow Goose Cherry – Prunus ‘Snow Goose’
Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Upright when young, becoming wider with age
Bark: Prominent horizontal lenticels on grayish brown bark
Zone: 5, well adapted to Zone 7 and warmer
Foliage: Bright green all summer.
Fall Color: Yellow and gold with some red.
Flower: Pure white with pink to rose stamens, single
Fruit: blackish purple fruit, inedible
Pest Resistance: Good
Fact Sheet
Pure white flowers bloom before clean, bright green leaves unfold. Apparently resistant to common cherry foliage diseases, this strongly upright tree widens considerably with age. Similar to the Yoshino cherry with its display of blossoms on bare stems, Snow Goose is not as big or as common. This disease and insect-resistant cherry should be planted in full to partial sun and in fertile, well-drained soil, in front of a dark colored building or backdrop of evergreens. Use it along the street or as an ornamental flowering accent tree in the yard.
Snow Charm® Japanese Snowbell – Styrax japonicus ‘JFS-E’
Height: 20’
Spread: 20’
Shape: Rounded
Bark: Gray brown color, exceptionally attractive interlacing fissures make an excellent addition to the winter landscape
Zone: 5
Foliage: Dark green
Fall Color: Yellowish
Flower: Pure white, bell shaped
Fruit: Grayish drupe, 1/2” long, August to November
Disease Resistance: Basically pest free
Fact Sheet
Reliable and easy to grow, this J. Frank Schmidt & Son introduction was selected from a highly variable species, and it provides a rounded form. It resists twig dieback, but has larger leaves and a broader, more traditional form than the species. Snow Charm® is excellent for planting along the street as well as in a residential landscape or shrub border.
Next Seminar – need three trees with an upright spread and grow 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide with white flowers?
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.
Edited by Len Phillips
We now realize that arborists need a diversity of trees in our urban forests, to guard against disasters like Dutch elm disease. We need to plant more of the superior trees developed through genetic research to utilize the practical experience from practitioners of urban forestry. We have to plan the planting of city trees, and understand the problems and potentials of our actions. However, many cities prefer or have policies to plant the same tree at every suitable location along an entire block. The intention is to improve the aesthetics of the city. But, to avoid monoculture problems in the future, it is clear that plantings like this must be avoided.
Arborists now realize that we need a diversity of trees in our urban forests, to guard against pest problems like the Emerald Ash Borer. We need to plant more of the superior trees developed by the nursery industry to improve the quality of the trees we plant. We have to plan the planting of city trees, and understand the problems and consequences of our actions. However, many cities prefer or have policies to plant the same tree at every suitable location along an entire block. The intention is to provide uniformity to the appearance of the city. But, to avoid monoculture problems in the future, it is clear that plantings like this must be reduced.
Fortunately, it is possible to gain diversity without giving up the aesthetic advantages of uniformity. Through the careful selection and grouping of trees into similar sizes and textures, communities of trees can be created. This provides a genetic diversity while maintaining a visual uniformity. As new pests and diseases inhabit our woody landscapes, species diversity will be a critical key to minimizing their potentially bad impact.
An example combining the best of both worlds might be using Snowdrift Crabapple, Snow Goose Cherry, and Snow Charm Snowbell if you are looking for a row of round trees with white flowers, bright green leaves in summer that turn yellow in the fall, and that grow 20 feet high and 20 feet wide.
Snowdrift Crabapple – Malus ‘Snowdrift’
Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Upright, spreading, rounded, dense
Bark: Grayish brown and scaly
Zone: 4
Foliage: Green, glossy
Fall Color: Yellow
Flower: Pink buds open to be white flowers
Fruit: Orange-red, 3/8” diameter, persistent
Disease Resistance: Scab -- Good; Fireblight -- Fair; Cedar-Apple Rust -- Excellent; Mildew -- Excellent
Fact Sheet
Snowdrift has become one of the most popular crabs since its introduction by Cole Nursery in the 1960’s. This tree is a vigorous grower and heavily textured. The crown is very uniform and symmetrical, making it one of the more formal looking crabapples. This tree is ideal for along a residential street.
Snow Goose Cherry – Prunus ‘Snow Goose’
Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Upright when young, becoming wider with age
Bark: Prominent horizontal lenticels on grayish brown bark
Zone: 5, well adapted to Zone 7 and warmer
Foliage: Bright green all summer.
Fall Color: Yellow and gold with some red.
Flower: Pure white with pink to rose stamens, single
Fruit: blackish purple fruit, inedible
Pest Resistance: Good
Fact Sheet
Pure white flowers bloom before clean, bright green leaves unfold. Apparently resistant to common cherry foliage diseases, this strongly upright tree widens considerably with age. Similar to the Yoshino cherry with its display of blossoms on bare stems, Snow Goose is not as big or as common. This disease and insect-resistant cherry should be planted in full to partial sun and in fertile, well-drained soil, in front of a dark colored building or backdrop of evergreens. Use it along the street or as an ornamental flowering accent tree in the yard.
Snow Charm® Japanese Snowbell – Styrax japonicus ‘JFS-E’
Height: 20’
Spread: 20’
Shape: Rounded
Bark: Gray brown color, exceptionally attractive interlacing fissures make an excellent addition to the winter landscape
Zone: 5
Foliage: Dark green
Fall Color: Yellowish
Flower: Pure white, bell shaped
Fruit: Grayish drupe, 1/2” long, August to November
Disease Resistance: Basically pest free
Fact Sheet
Reliable and easy to grow, this J. Frank Schmidt & Son introduction was selected from a highly variable species, and it provides a rounded form. It resists twig dieback, but has larger leaves and a broader, more traditional form than the species. Snow Charm® is excellent for planting along the street as well as in a residential landscape or shrub border.
Next Seminar – need three trees with an upright spread and grow 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide with white flowers?
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 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five 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 and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the .5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA Management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online 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.
When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com. You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary. A test review of your answers is available upon request.
All passing test scores are 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 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 your answers' response.