Seminar #96 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists
October - December 2022
Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below
October - December 2022
Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below
Note: Click on green text in each section for more information and photos.
Climate Change Where You Live
Edited by Len Phillips
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warned that we are running out of time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst impacts of a warming planet. These impacts include: massive, costly and fatal flooding from storms, heat waves, high wind storms, wildfires, etc. Over the past 20 years, power outages have doubled, a result of more destructive storms and aging infrastructure, and a foreshadowing of what public agencies face as climate change becomes the new reality.
Local and state governments, still dealing with the changes brought about by the pandemic and facing the usual hurdles of limited revenue and slow-moving policy changes, are realizing that climate change is here and cities require immediate mitigation plans as officials shift attention to those immediate needs, they will find a variety of technologies designed for specific climate change scenarios, which vary greatly depending on geography, population, land use and other factors.
Thinking about climate change can easily lead to pessimism. The United States has some 38,000 general purpose local governments, many of them tiny agencies with scant resources in the best of times. How can such towns prepare for historic levels of flooding if they can barely afford a fire department?
For another example, a beach town must worry about the rising ocean, while some inland areas will suffer from catastrophic heat waves and summer storms. Everywhere communities are just starting to think about climate change and how it impacts them, while many other communities have been dealing with climate extremes for years.
To make matters worse, zealous tree planting efforts are being considered today as a major help for cooler cities and arborists must begin planning TODAY, for their tree planting programs in the coming years. The nursery industry is slowly gearing up to try to minimize the major shortage of trees expected to occur during the next 10 years.
Some examples of communities making plans for the future include:
In late 2021, FEMA awarded $171,700 to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in the first “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” (BRIC) program grant award. The money will pay for updating hazard mitigation plans for the Minnesota counties of Jackson, Kittson, Marshall, Pope and Red Lake.
People focused on those immediate impacts can also point to the latest proposed federal budget from the Biden administration, a spending plan the New York Times called “an extreme weather budget.” That proposal, announced in March 2022, included at least $1.8 billion for a Department of Agriculture program to make rural homes more resilient to climate change. This is another signal that at least some governmental thinking is shifting toward immediate needs.
But home upgrades will go only so far when it comes to planning needs for local and state governments. W. Craig Fugate, current Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said that grasping the complexities of climate change requires sophisticated software, machine learning and even artificial intelligence (AI) so that officials have a full picture of what is to come and can plan accordingly. Fugate said, “It’s no good if the hospital doesn’t flood but all the roads leading to it, do”.
When it comes to cutting-edge but relatively realistic technology that can help jurisdictions prepare for climate change, Fugate supports using AI in hazard risk modeling to help determine where and how to build before and redevelop after a disaster.
Such planning, however, is not just about structures or power grids and things. It’s about people: first responders and other members of the local workforce, for instance, or the service industry workers without whom a local economy cannot recover after a climatic disaster.
“Resiliency is not just about rebuilding,” Fugate said. “Stuff is great, but people are more important.” Already, he said, local and state governments are making use of GIS and mapping tools to display risk and lidar (light detection and ranging}, a remote sensing method that when combined with other data generates precise, three-dimensional information) to build high-resolution topographic maps, which he said are key for flood risk and recovery.
Preparing now for climate change involves more than digital maps and AI, however. Fugate is urging officials to consider bidirectional charging of electric vehicles, which can provide backup emergency power to residences and battery backup to the grid.
Other examples of mitigation technology come from a variety of sources in the U.S. and abroad. The high-tech, wealthy and equatorial country of Singapore, for instance, has produced an in-depth manual that offers guidance about how to ease some of the impacts that climate change will have on Singapore.
That manual serves almost as a preview of the technology that is sure to find its way to more than a few U.S. locations. It is especially useful for urban heat islands or places prone to flooding. For instance, it mentions water retentive and porous pavement systems, which include larger voids compared to conventional pavements. The voids allow water to flow into the ground or into water holding fillers. Retaining water can help store runoff and prevent flooding, provide ground water for trees and plant growth, and also enhance water evaporation which becomes a very important contributor to cooling.
Source
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warned that we are running out of time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst impacts of a warming planet. These impacts include: massive, costly and fatal flooding from storms, heat waves, high wind storms, wildfires, etc. Over the past 20 years, power outages have doubled, a result of more destructive storms and aging infrastructure, and a foreshadowing of what public agencies face as climate change becomes the new reality.
Local and state governments, still dealing with the changes brought about by the pandemic and facing the usual hurdles of limited revenue and slow-moving policy changes, are realizing that climate change is here and cities require immediate mitigation plans as officials shift attention to those immediate needs, they will find a variety of technologies designed for specific climate change scenarios, which vary greatly depending on geography, population, land use and other factors.
Thinking about climate change can easily lead to pessimism. The United States has some 38,000 general purpose local governments, many of them tiny agencies with scant resources in the best of times. How can such towns prepare for historic levels of flooding if they can barely afford a fire department?
For another example, a beach town must worry about the rising ocean, while some inland areas will suffer from catastrophic heat waves and summer storms. Everywhere communities are just starting to think about climate change and how it impacts them, while many other communities have been dealing with climate extremes for years.
To make matters worse, zealous tree planting efforts are being considered today as a major help for cooler cities and arborists must begin planning TODAY, for their tree planting programs in the coming years. The nursery industry is slowly gearing up to try to minimize the major shortage of trees expected to occur during the next 10 years.
Some examples of communities making plans for the future include:
- Ann Arbor, Michigan, the college town of 122,000 residents, developed a “climate emergency declaration” in 2019 and is working to make the city a net-zero producer of carbon. These efforts have included a host of municipal activities, including building affordable housing.
- Wellesley, Massachusetts, another college town with a population of 28,400 residents, has been ahead of many other cities by annually funding the installation of at least 200 public shade trees every year since the early 1960's.
- Boxford, Massachusetts along with many other smaller cities have assembled key citizen volunteers to complete work on a Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030. Residents in this small country town of 8,300 people recently voted approval to begin implementation of this plan.
- Some more common actions from many cities include spending money and deploying technology to deal with today’s climate change impacts rather than trying to reduce emissions and taking other steps meant as a long-term brake on global warming.
In late 2021, FEMA awarded $171,700 to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in the first “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” (BRIC) program grant award. The money will pay for updating hazard mitigation plans for the Minnesota counties of Jackson, Kittson, Marshall, Pope and Red Lake.
- BRIC grants are designed to “shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in long-term local community resilience.
- BRIC-funded projects have included relatively low-tech but vital work such as wetland restoration, raising levees, and new flood pumps and electrical systems along with moving affordable housing away from flood zones. Other projects ensure that hospitals are hooked up to reliable power grids. FEMA says BRIC will award $1 billion in its second year, helping communities deal with the ongoing and looming impacts of climate change.
People focused on those immediate impacts can also point to the latest proposed federal budget from the Biden administration, a spending plan the New York Times called “an extreme weather budget.” That proposal, announced in March 2022, included at least $1.8 billion for a Department of Agriculture program to make rural homes more resilient to climate change. This is another signal that at least some governmental thinking is shifting toward immediate needs.
But home upgrades will go only so far when it comes to planning needs for local and state governments. W. Craig Fugate, current Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said that grasping the complexities of climate change requires sophisticated software, machine learning and even artificial intelligence (AI) so that officials have a full picture of what is to come and can plan accordingly. Fugate said, “It’s no good if the hospital doesn’t flood but all the roads leading to it, do”.
When it comes to cutting-edge but relatively realistic technology that can help jurisdictions prepare for climate change, Fugate supports using AI in hazard risk modeling to help determine where and how to build before and redevelop after a disaster.
Such planning, however, is not just about structures or power grids and things. It’s about people: first responders and other members of the local workforce, for instance, or the service industry workers without whom a local economy cannot recover after a climatic disaster.
“Resiliency is not just about rebuilding,” Fugate said. “Stuff is great, but people are more important.” Already, he said, local and state governments are making use of GIS and mapping tools to display risk and lidar (light detection and ranging}, a remote sensing method that when combined with other data generates precise, three-dimensional information) to build high-resolution topographic maps, which he said are key for flood risk and recovery.
Preparing now for climate change involves more than digital maps and AI, however. Fugate is urging officials to consider bidirectional charging of electric vehicles, which can provide backup emergency power to residences and battery backup to the grid.
Other examples of mitigation technology come from a variety of sources in the U.S. and abroad. The high-tech, wealthy and equatorial country of Singapore, for instance, has produced an in-depth manual that offers guidance about how to ease some of the impacts that climate change will have on Singapore.
That manual serves almost as a preview of the technology that is sure to find its way to more than a few U.S. locations. It is especially useful for urban heat islands or places prone to flooding. For instance, it mentions water retentive and porous pavement systems, which include larger voids compared to conventional pavements. The voids allow water to flow into the ground or into water holding fillers. Retaining water can help store runoff and prevent flooding, provide ground water for trees and plant growth, and also enhance water evaporation which becomes a very important contributor to cooling.
Source
- Thad Rueter, “Building Resilient Cities That Are Ready for Climate Change”. Government Technologies. June 2022
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
City of Hamilton, Ohio
by David S. Bienemann
Trees are an important part of the City of Hamilton’s identity and history, evident in the older sections of town where large oaks and buckeyes still stand from the days of Fort Hamilton, 200 years ago. Ohio is called "the Buckeye State" partly because many buckeye trees that are growing all over the state's hills and plains. The Buckeye name also comes from the Native American name "hetuck” for the nuts that resembled the eyes of the male “buck” deer.
In August of 1794, the Battle of Fallen Timbers occurred, and Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne’s troops defeated the Indian leaders Little Turtle and Blue Jacket. Fort Hamilton was closed in 1796 and was sold at auction.
Hamilton was incorporated in 1810 with 242 people, but when a town is built on the site of a fort (Fort Hamilton), it is allowed to use the fort's completion date as its founding date, thus, the reason Hamilton claims 1791 as its founding.
The City of Hamilton’s street trees are a valuable municipal resource and a critical component of Hamilton’s green infrastructure. For many years the City has been proactive in planting trees in the public rights-of-way, golf courses and parks. However, the need to manage the health of the City’s urban forest has become a recent and important priority. Major storms have knocked down many city street and park trees resulting in tree-related power outages and infrastructure damage. Recognizing the importance of long-term tree care and in response to such storm events, the City hired a Municipal Arborist in 2016. The Municipal Arborist provides professional management in the effort of sustaining and enhancing the urban forest for future generations.
As Municipal Arborist Bienemann began his career, he initiated two major projects in 2016 to better understand Hamilton’s urban forest and to quantify the positive impact this municipal resource has on the community. The first was a Global Positioning System (GPS) Street Tree Inventory that recorded the species, condition, diameter, and infrastructure concerns (such as wires, sidewalks, tree lawn size, and visibility) of every tree located within a public right-of-way, city golf course, or city park. The second project involved an i-Tree analysis of the City’s complete urban forest utilizing the GPS Street Tree Inventory data to facilitate benefit-cost modeling in order to identify structure, function, value, and maintenance needs. Using this information, a long-term preventive maintenance program was created and implemented for preserving Hamilton’s urban forest.
The City of Hamilton manages 14,163 street, park, and golf course trees in public rights-of way and on City-owned green spaces. All the tree planting, pruning and removals are done by contractors while two interns water all new tree plantings. Hamilton Public Works has 6 employees dedicated to green spaces (i.e. - mowing, clearing brush, and right-of-way violations) while Hamilton Parks Conservancy has 6 employees dedicated to green spaces (i.e. - planting and maintaining park flowers/landscape beds, mowing, and clearing brush)
There are additional unmanaged trees located within the rights-of-way, such as natural areas and privately planted trees. The City has a total of 42 parks which includes two 18 hole golf courses covering 1,600 acres. A majority of Hamilton’s city-managed trees are in good condition (58.31%), with 26.43% classified as fair, 10.89% in poor condition, and 4.37% are dead or dying. The urban forestry management plan is designed to manage the entire existing tree population to increase its lifespan and maintain the flow of benefits.
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. They clean our air, filter our water, and even slow storm surge and flooding in our cities. Trees also provide shade and cool our cities by up to 10 degrees, which can help prevent heat-related deaths in urban areas. The total value to replace the City of Hamilton’s city-managed trees with trees of similar size, species, and condition would cost approximately $16,375,426. The breakdown is $12,028,986 for street trees, $3,110,669 for park trees, and $1,235,771 for golf course trees based on the i-Tree Project completed in 2016.
The City of Hamilton has 9,770 open planting sites (5,344 – Small Growing Trees that are 20-25 feet tall, 2,319 – Medium Growing Trees that are 35-40 feet tall and 2,107 – Large Growing Trees that are 40 feet and taller). Each planting site is being further inspected using an Urban Site Index (USI) created by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry to categorize each site as poor (P), intermediate (I) and good (G) rating for small, medium and large size trees. The objective is to the plant the Right Tree in the Right Place.
We plant an average of 300 trees per year (150 in the spring and 150 in autumn). The City gives away an additional 100 seedlings to elementary school children for Arbor Day, 100 native hardwood seedlings to the Riverside Natural Area for forest restoration and 50, 5-gallon trees to citizens for our Energy Saving Trees Program through Hamilton Utilities.
The City’s objective is to follow the 10-20-30 rule for diversity. The City will plant no more than 10% of any one species, no more than 20% of any one genus, and no more 30% of any family of trees. This is necessary to reduce the impact of any future invasive insect pests or new diseases that could harm Hamilton’s urban forest.
We focused on the high-risk trees and are working our way toward routine maintenance of the trees. We have been pruning for structure and health of the new street plantings since 2016. We had 2000 dead standing trees in 2016 and less than 300 trees to finish between streets (135 trees) and parks (165 trees). Once this is finished, we will focus on trees that are dead and/or have broken branches as the next priority. We are also focused on getting the mulch levels to the root flare for better tree health. Newly planted trees are watered bi-weekly for the first two years between May and November. We have been able to maintain a 41% canopy cover with our improved urban forestry program.
Canopy cover is the driving force behind the urban forest’s ability to produce benefits for the community. As canopy cover increases, so do the benefits afforded by the leaf surface area. Hamilton’s urban forest resource is vulnerable and must be proactively managed to sustain benefits, safety, and aesthetics in the short and long term. It is critical that the City continues to plant new trees throughout the public rights-of-way and City-owned green spaces.
Under the direction of the Municipal Arborist, Hamilton’s urban forestry program aims to significantly reduce overtime costs in both the Utilities and Public Works Departments. By better managing City-owned trees, it also seeks to minimize the liability and claims due to property damage. Overall, these efforts will help the City maintain services to the public with reduced long-term operating costs.
The City strives to create an urban forestry program that is one of the elite programs in Ohio and the United States. The Municipal Arborist continues to pursue new technologies, the latest arboriculture training, and most recent research to bring the program to the next level. Hamilton is a great city in which to work, live, and play, and street and park trees substantially improve the quality of life in the community. The magnitude of benefits and environmental services provided by trees offer a compelling argument for continued tree care and resource management.
David S. Bienemann is the Municipal Arborist/Utility Forester for the City of Hamilton, Ohio.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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 S. Bienemann
Trees are an important part of the City of Hamilton’s identity and history, evident in the older sections of town where large oaks and buckeyes still stand from the days of Fort Hamilton, 200 years ago. Ohio is called "the Buckeye State" partly because many buckeye trees that are growing all over the state's hills and plains. The Buckeye name also comes from the Native American name "hetuck” for the nuts that resembled the eyes of the male “buck” deer.
In August of 1794, the Battle of Fallen Timbers occurred, and Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne’s troops defeated the Indian leaders Little Turtle and Blue Jacket. Fort Hamilton was closed in 1796 and was sold at auction.
Hamilton was incorporated in 1810 with 242 people, but when a town is built on the site of a fort (Fort Hamilton), it is allowed to use the fort's completion date as its founding date, thus, the reason Hamilton claims 1791 as its founding.
The City of Hamilton’s street trees are a valuable municipal resource and a critical component of Hamilton’s green infrastructure. For many years the City has been proactive in planting trees in the public rights-of-way, golf courses and parks. However, the need to manage the health of the City’s urban forest has become a recent and important priority. Major storms have knocked down many city street and park trees resulting in tree-related power outages and infrastructure damage. Recognizing the importance of long-term tree care and in response to such storm events, the City hired a Municipal Arborist in 2016. The Municipal Arborist provides professional management in the effort of sustaining and enhancing the urban forest for future generations.
As Municipal Arborist Bienemann began his career, he initiated two major projects in 2016 to better understand Hamilton’s urban forest and to quantify the positive impact this municipal resource has on the community. The first was a Global Positioning System (GPS) Street Tree Inventory that recorded the species, condition, diameter, and infrastructure concerns (such as wires, sidewalks, tree lawn size, and visibility) of every tree located within a public right-of-way, city golf course, or city park. The second project involved an i-Tree analysis of the City’s complete urban forest utilizing the GPS Street Tree Inventory data to facilitate benefit-cost modeling in order to identify structure, function, value, and maintenance needs. Using this information, a long-term preventive maintenance program was created and implemented for preserving Hamilton’s urban forest.
The City of Hamilton manages 14,163 street, park, and golf course trees in public rights-of way and on City-owned green spaces. All the tree planting, pruning and removals are done by contractors while two interns water all new tree plantings. Hamilton Public Works has 6 employees dedicated to green spaces (i.e. - mowing, clearing brush, and right-of-way violations) while Hamilton Parks Conservancy has 6 employees dedicated to green spaces (i.e. - planting and maintaining park flowers/landscape beds, mowing, and clearing brush)
There are additional unmanaged trees located within the rights-of-way, such as natural areas and privately planted trees. The City has a total of 42 parks which includes two 18 hole golf courses covering 1,600 acres. A majority of Hamilton’s city-managed trees are in good condition (58.31%), with 26.43% classified as fair, 10.89% in poor condition, and 4.37% are dead or dying. The urban forestry management plan is designed to manage the entire existing tree population to increase its lifespan and maintain the flow of benefits.
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. They clean our air, filter our water, and even slow storm surge and flooding in our cities. Trees also provide shade and cool our cities by up to 10 degrees, which can help prevent heat-related deaths in urban areas. The total value to replace the City of Hamilton’s city-managed trees with trees of similar size, species, and condition would cost approximately $16,375,426. The breakdown is $12,028,986 for street trees, $3,110,669 for park trees, and $1,235,771 for golf course trees based on the i-Tree Project completed in 2016.
The City of Hamilton has 9,770 open planting sites (5,344 – Small Growing Trees that are 20-25 feet tall, 2,319 – Medium Growing Trees that are 35-40 feet tall and 2,107 – Large Growing Trees that are 40 feet and taller). Each planting site is being further inspected using an Urban Site Index (USI) created by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry to categorize each site as poor (P), intermediate (I) and good (G) rating for small, medium and large size trees. The objective is to the plant the Right Tree in the Right Place.
We plant an average of 300 trees per year (150 in the spring and 150 in autumn). The City gives away an additional 100 seedlings to elementary school children for Arbor Day, 100 native hardwood seedlings to the Riverside Natural Area for forest restoration and 50, 5-gallon trees to citizens for our Energy Saving Trees Program through Hamilton Utilities.
The City’s objective is to follow the 10-20-30 rule for diversity. The City will plant no more than 10% of any one species, no more than 20% of any one genus, and no more 30% of any family of trees. This is necessary to reduce the impact of any future invasive insect pests or new diseases that could harm Hamilton’s urban forest.
We focused on the high-risk trees and are working our way toward routine maintenance of the trees. We have been pruning for structure and health of the new street plantings since 2016. We had 2000 dead standing trees in 2016 and less than 300 trees to finish between streets (135 trees) and parks (165 trees). Once this is finished, we will focus on trees that are dead and/or have broken branches as the next priority. We are also focused on getting the mulch levels to the root flare for better tree health. Newly planted trees are watered bi-weekly for the first two years between May and November. We have been able to maintain a 41% canopy cover with our improved urban forestry program.
Canopy cover is the driving force behind the urban forest’s ability to produce benefits for the community. As canopy cover increases, so do the benefits afforded by the leaf surface area. Hamilton’s urban forest resource is vulnerable and must be proactively managed to sustain benefits, safety, and aesthetics in the short and long term. It is critical that the City continues to plant new trees throughout the public rights-of-way and City-owned green spaces.
Under the direction of the Municipal Arborist, Hamilton’s urban forestry program aims to significantly reduce overtime costs in both the Utilities and Public Works Departments. By better managing City-owned trees, it also seeks to minimize the liability and claims due to property damage. Overall, these efforts will help the City maintain services to the public with reduced long-term operating costs.
The City strives to create an urban forestry program that is one of the elite programs in Ohio and the United States. The Municipal Arborist continues to pursue new technologies, the latest arboriculture training, and most recent research to bring the program to the next level. Hamilton is a great city in which to work, live, and play, and street and park trees substantially improve the quality of life in the community. The magnitude of benefits and environmental services provided by trees offer a compelling argument for continued tree care and resource management.
David S. Bienemann is the Municipal Arborist/Utility Forester for the City of Hamilton, Ohio.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
Responding to Wildfires
Edited by Len Phillips
In response to a major wildfire that wiped out much of the town, Paradise, California is imagining a safer and more sustainable future with a design that buffers the town with parks, athletic fields, and orchards—areas less likely to burn than the former forests.
Three and a half years after the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed the small town of Paradise, residents are slowly rebuilding. By the third anniversary of the fire, more than 1,000 homes out of the 14,000 homes that were destroyed have been rebuilt. By the end of this year, the town expects that 10,000 of the 40,000 people who were displaced will have moved back into new housing in Paradise. But, as climate change continues to increase the risk of megafires, the town is now also creating protections from future fire catastrophes.
A landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm, is working with town leaders to build a 90,000-acre buffer zone around the entire town to isolate and slow the spread of future fires. The design proposes surrounding the town with new parks, athletic fields, orchards, and other amenities that are less likely to burn than forests, are to be built in the buffer zone. The design carefully considers current land uses, ownership, and fire risk. Trees and shrubs would be cleared along an electric transmission corridor in an area that will become a bike trail. Sheep will also graze in the buffer zone area to reduce dry grass and vegetation regrowth that can burn.
Controlled fires designed to reduce fire fuel will also take place in the buffer zone, with the existing roads and other barriers used as fire breaks. The surviving forests will be selectively thinned to further reduce risk. More recreation for visitors and residents will be added to enhance a land use that the community depends on for the local economy. In an outer zone, fires would be allowed and controlled to burn naturally as a way to eliminate fire fuel.
Because Paradise is a community that is coming out of a trauma, these plans will illustrate how the changes will happen in ways that feel natural to the residents. These ideas are not necessarily radical. They are very innovative and do not necessarily call for a wholesale, radical change to the community.
The Parks and Recreation Department has already started acquiring land for the buffer zone around the town. They are using funds from the settlement that Paradise received from the electric utility responsible for the last fire.
Communities in other at-risk areas could apply the same fire-mitigation approaches. A quarter of California’s population lives in the wildland-urban interface where the fire danger is high. Many residents are still just at the edge of learning how to live with fire. One of the things that this project attempts to do is to begin to encourage Californians and others, to act in terms of how to identify the technical and ideological actions needed in order to respond to the ever-present and constantly accelerating challenges of climate change in the American West.”
Source
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial Lift Specialist, or BCMA practice 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 Merchant' / 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
In response to a major wildfire that wiped out much of the town, Paradise, California is imagining a safer and more sustainable future with a design that buffers the town with parks, athletic fields, and orchards—areas less likely to burn than the former forests.
Three and a half years after the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed the small town of Paradise, residents are slowly rebuilding. By the third anniversary of the fire, more than 1,000 homes out of the 14,000 homes that were destroyed have been rebuilt. By the end of this year, the town expects that 10,000 of the 40,000 people who were displaced will have moved back into new housing in Paradise. But, as climate change continues to increase the risk of megafires, the town is now also creating protections from future fire catastrophes.
A landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm, is working with town leaders to build a 90,000-acre buffer zone around the entire town to isolate and slow the spread of future fires. The design proposes surrounding the town with new parks, athletic fields, orchards, and other amenities that are less likely to burn than forests, are to be built in the buffer zone. The design carefully considers current land uses, ownership, and fire risk. Trees and shrubs would be cleared along an electric transmission corridor in an area that will become a bike trail. Sheep will also graze in the buffer zone area to reduce dry grass and vegetation regrowth that can burn.
Controlled fires designed to reduce fire fuel will also take place in the buffer zone, with the existing roads and other barriers used as fire breaks. The surviving forests will be selectively thinned to further reduce risk. More recreation for visitors and residents will be added to enhance a land use that the community depends on for the local economy. In an outer zone, fires would be allowed and controlled to burn naturally as a way to eliminate fire fuel.
Because Paradise is a community that is coming out of a trauma, these plans will illustrate how the changes will happen in ways that feel natural to the residents. These ideas are not necessarily radical. They are very innovative and do not necessarily call for a wholesale, radical change to the community.
The Parks and Recreation Department has already started acquiring land for the buffer zone around the town. They are using funds from the settlement that Paradise received from the electric utility responsible for the last fire.
Communities in other at-risk areas could apply the same fire-mitigation approaches. A quarter of California’s population lives in the wildland-urban interface where the fire danger is high. Many residents are still just at the edge of learning how to live with fire. One of the things that this project attempts to do is to begin to encourage Californians and others, to act in terms of how to identify the technical and ideological actions needed in order to respond to the ever-present and constantly accelerating challenges of climate change in the American West.”
Source
- Adele Peters is a staff writer at Fast Company, “A Smarter Urban Design Concept for a Town Decimated by Wildfires”, 05-03-22
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial Lift Specialist, or BCMA practice 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 Merchant' / 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.
Dethroning Methuselah
Edited by Len Phillips
The alerce tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) is a towering evergreen that is native to the Andes mountains in Chile and Argentina. In the forest, there may be a tree that is the oldest living thing on Earth. These trees are an important member of the Valdivian temperate rain forests. Other common names of this tree include Patagonian cypress, lahuán (Spanish, from the Mapuche Native American name “lawal”).
Fitzroya is a monotypic genus in the cypress family. Fitzroya cupressoides has a rough pyramidal canopy that provides cover for the southern beech, laurel and myrtle. The leaves are in decussate whorls of three, less than 1/4 in (3–6 mm) long and 1/8 in (2 mm) wide, marked with two white stomatal lines. The very small cones are globose, opening flat to 1/2 in (12 mm) across, with nine scales in whorls of three. Only the central whorl of scales is fertile, bearing 2–3 small and flat seeds on each scale; the lower and upper whorls are small and sterile. The seeds mature 6–8 months after pollination. Alerces are conifers in the same botanical family as giant sequoias and redwoods and, from a distance, they can resemble those giants.
The genus was named by Charles Darwin in honor of Captain Robert FitzRoy of the H.M.S. Beagle when they sailed around the world together between 1831 and 1836. The rich variety of animal and plant species that Darwin saw on this voyage led him to develop his theory of evolution. Darwin saw specimens of alerce up to 130 feet (39.6 m) in circumference. Fitzroya cupressoides is the largest tree species in South America, normally growing to 140–200 ft (40–60 m) tall, but occasionally more than 240 ft (70 m), and up to 17 ft (5 m) in trunk diameter.
About 5,000 years ago, when humans were inventing writing, an alerce tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) started to grow in the coastal mountains of present-day Chile. Sheltered in a cool, damp ravine, it avoided fires and logging that claimed many others of its kind, and it grew into a giant more than 14 feet (4 meters) in trunk diameter. Much of the trunk died, part of the crown has fallen away, and the tree has become covered with mosses, lichens, and even other trees that took root in its crevices. This tree is locally known as the “Alerce Milenario” or “Gran Abuelo” the great-grandfather tree. Alerce milenario is located in Alerce Costero National Park in Chile. It is more than 200 ft (60 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 14 ft (4.26 m). Much larger specimens existed before the species was heavily logged in the 19th and 20th centuries. The thick bark of F. cupressoides may be an adaptation to survive in a wildfire.
Alerce might claim a new and extraordinary title as being the oldest living individual on Earth. The tree was discovered around 1972 and an increment borer was used to excise narrow cylinders of wood without harming the tree. The plug of alerce wood yielded roughly 2,400 tightly spaced growth rings. The researchers used complete cores from other alerce trees and information on how environmental factors and random variation affect tree growth to calibrate a model that simulated a range of possible ages the tree had reached by the beginning of the period covered by the partial core, along with a probability for each age. Because the borer couldn’t reach the tree’s center, researchers turned to statistical modeling to determine the Alerce Milenario’s full age. The method yielded an overall age estimate of 5,484 years old. That would make it much older than the current record holder, a bristlecone pine in eastern California with an age of 4,853 years and named Methuselah. Many dendrochronologists are skeptical because Alerce Milenario has not yet had a full count of tree growth rings. Alerce Milenario, which stands apart from other ancient trees in a rainforest west of the city of La Union.
In the meantime, the possibility that the Alerce Milenario could be the record holder should spur Chile’s government to better protect it. Currently, visitors to the tree located in a park, can climb down from a viewing platform and walk around it, which harms the roots and compacts the surrounding soil. The climate is also becoming drier, making it harder for the roots to take up water and that is stressing the tree.
A team of researchers from the University of Tasmania found fossilized foliage of a Fitzroya species on the Lea River of northwest Tasmania. The 35-million-year-old fossil was named Fitzroya tasmanensis. The finding demonstrates the ancient floristic affinities between Australasia and southern South America, which botanists identify as the Antarctic flora.
About 40 to 50 thousand years ago, during the interstadials (periods of glacial retreat) of the Llanquihue glaciation, Fitzroya and other conifers had a much larger and continuous geographical extent than at present including the eastern lowlands of Chiloé Island and the area west of Llanquihue Lake in Chile. At present Fitzroya grows well above sea level. Any Fitzroya stands near sea level are most likely relicts.
By the time of the Spanish conquest of Chiloé Archipelago in 1567 most of the islands on the Pacific Ocean coastline were covered by dense forests where F. cupressoides grew. For the next three hundred years, numerous fires were set to destroy most of the Fitzroya forests in order to provide cleared lands for European settlers. Logging of Fitzroya continued until 1976 when it became forbidden by law, (with the exception of already dead trees and with the authorization of CONAF, a National Corporation, although illegal logging still occasionally occurs.
Harvesting of the beautiful, reddish-brown alerce wood began more than 500 years ago and was used in everything from shingles to pencils to musical instruments. The wood was economically important in colonial Chiloé and Valdivia, which exported planks to Peru. A single tree could yield 600 planks with a width of at least 18 in (0.5 m) and a length of 18 ft (5 m). The wood was highly valued in Chile and Peru for its elasticity and lightness. Because of this utility, the alerce has been heavily over-forested and humans have played a significant role in its decline. It received protected status in the mid-1970s, but that has proved difficult to enforce, and the trees are still subjected to illegal harvesting.
Extreme measures are needed to save this historical treasure. The Global Trees Campaign estimates that the forests with very old, giant trees growing on fragile sites around the Chilean Andes should be declared a Protected Area. It is also very important to increase the resources of the Chilean Forest Service and to improve the judicial procedure in order to increase enforcement of the existing legal protection for the Fitzroya. It is clear that human intervention both in the terms of conservation and stopping illegal trade is needed if these trees are going to survive.
Sources
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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
The alerce tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) is a towering evergreen that is native to the Andes mountains in Chile and Argentina. In the forest, there may be a tree that is the oldest living thing on Earth. These trees are an important member of the Valdivian temperate rain forests. Other common names of this tree include Patagonian cypress, lahuán (Spanish, from the Mapuche Native American name “lawal”).
Fitzroya is a monotypic genus in the cypress family. Fitzroya cupressoides has a rough pyramidal canopy that provides cover for the southern beech, laurel and myrtle. The leaves are in decussate whorls of three, less than 1/4 in (3–6 mm) long and 1/8 in (2 mm) wide, marked with two white stomatal lines. The very small cones are globose, opening flat to 1/2 in (12 mm) across, with nine scales in whorls of three. Only the central whorl of scales is fertile, bearing 2–3 small and flat seeds on each scale; the lower and upper whorls are small and sterile. The seeds mature 6–8 months after pollination. Alerces are conifers in the same botanical family as giant sequoias and redwoods and, from a distance, they can resemble those giants.
The genus was named by Charles Darwin in honor of Captain Robert FitzRoy of the H.M.S. Beagle when they sailed around the world together between 1831 and 1836. The rich variety of animal and plant species that Darwin saw on this voyage led him to develop his theory of evolution. Darwin saw specimens of alerce up to 130 feet (39.6 m) in circumference. Fitzroya cupressoides is the largest tree species in South America, normally growing to 140–200 ft (40–60 m) tall, but occasionally more than 240 ft (70 m), and up to 17 ft (5 m) in trunk diameter.
About 5,000 years ago, when humans were inventing writing, an alerce tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) started to grow in the coastal mountains of present-day Chile. Sheltered in a cool, damp ravine, it avoided fires and logging that claimed many others of its kind, and it grew into a giant more than 14 feet (4 meters) in trunk diameter. Much of the trunk died, part of the crown has fallen away, and the tree has become covered with mosses, lichens, and even other trees that took root in its crevices. This tree is locally known as the “Alerce Milenario” or “Gran Abuelo” the great-grandfather tree. Alerce milenario is located in Alerce Costero National Park in Chile. It is more than 200 ft (60 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 14 ft (4.26 m). Much larger specimens existed before the species was heavily logged in the 19th and 20th centuries. The thick bark of F. cupressoides may be an adaptation to survive in a wildfire.
Alerce might claim a new and extraordinary title as being the oldest living individual on Earth. The tree was discovered around 1972 and an increment borer was used to excise narrow cylinders of wood without harming the tree. The plug of alerce wood yielded roughly 2,400 tightly spaced growth rings. The researchers used complete cores from other alerce trees and information on how environmental factors and random variation affect tree growth to calibrate a model that simulated a range of possible ages the tree had reached by the beginning of the period covered by the partial core, along with a probability for each age. Because the borer couldn’t reach the tree’s center, researchers turned to statistical modeling to determine the Alerce Milenario’s full age. The method yielded an overall age estimate of 5,484 years old. That would make it much older than the current record holder, a bristlecone pine in eastern California with an age of 4,853 years and named Methuselah. Many dendrochronologists are skeptical because Alerce Milenario has not yet had a full count of tree growth rings. Alerce Milenario, which stands apart from other ancient trees in a rainforest west of the city of La Union.
In the meantime, the possibility that the Alerce Milenario could be the record holder should spur Chile’s government to better protect it. Currently, visitors to the tree located in a park, can climb down from a viewing platform and walk around it, which harms the roots and compacts the surrounding soil. The climate is also becoming drier, making it harder for the roots to take up water and that is stressing the tree.
A team of researchers from the University of Tasmania found fossilized foliage of a Fitzroya species on the Lea River of northwest Tasmania. The 35-million-year-old fossil was named Fitzroya tasmanensis. The finding demonstrates the ancient floristic affinities between Australasia and southern South America, which botanists identify as the Antarctic flora.
About 40 to 50 thousand years ago, during the interstadials (periods of glacial retreat) of the Llanquihue glaciation, Fitzroya and other conifers had a much larger and continuous geographical extent than at present including the eastern lowlands of Chiloé Island and the area west of Llanquihue Lake in Chile. At present Fitzroya grows well above sea level. Any Fitzroya stands near sea level are most likely relicts.
By the time of the Spanish conquest of Chiloé Archipelago in 1567 most of the islands on the Pacific Ocean coastline were covered by dense forests where F. cupressoides grew. For the next three hundred years, numerous fires were set to destroy most of the Fitzroya forests in order to provide cleared lands for European settlers. Logging of Fitzroya continued until 1976 when it became forbidden by law, (with the exception of already dead trees and with the authorization of CONAF, a National Corporation, although illegal logging still occasionally occurs.
Harvesting of the beautiful, reddish-brown alerce wood began more than 500 years ago and was used in everything from shingles to pencils to musical instruments. The wood was economically important in colonial Chiloé and Valdivia, which exported planks to Peru. A single tree could yield 600 planks with a width of at least 18 in (0.5 m) and a length of 18 ft (5 m). The wood was highly valued in Chile and Peru for its elasticity and lightness. Because of this utility, the alerce has been heavily over-forested and humans have played a significant role in its decline. It received protected status in the mid-1970s, but that has proved difficult to enforce, and the trees are still subjected to illegal harvesting.
Extreme measures are needed to save this historical treasure. The Global Trees Campaign estimates that the forests with very old, giant trees growing on fragile sites around the Chilean Andes should be declared a Protected Area. It is also very important to increase the resources of the Chilean Forest Service and to improve the judicial procedure in order to increase enforcement of the existing legal protection for the Fitzroya. It is clear that human intervention both in the terms of conservation and stopping illegal trade is needed if these trees are going to survive.
Sources
- International Dendrology Society Year Book 1991.
- Popkin, Gabriel, “Is the World's Oldest Tree Growing in a Ravine in Chile?” May 2022
- The Gymnosperm Database (Molina) Edited by Christopher J. Earle 2019
- Wikipedia, Fitzroya cupressoides, January 20, 2020.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
Amazing Trees of Fayetteville
Edited by Len Phillips
Fayetteville, Arkansas' Urban Forestry Program is managed by three separate entities within the City. The street tree maintenance program is performed by the Transportation Department right-of-way work crews while park and trail tree maintenance is performed by the Parks and Recreation Department's Urban Forestry Services crew. Tree preservation and protection for new development is performed by John Scott, the Urban Forester. Fayetteville is a 26-year Tree City USA community.
In 2018, the City of Fayetteville's, Urban Forestry Advisory Board (UFAB) and the Parks and Recreation Department's urban foresters created the “Amazing Trees of Fayetteville” project. This project was intended to educate the city residents about the importance of urban forests and promote tree preservation by celebrating the unique character of special trees in the City.
Each year, the UFAB and the City’s two urban foresters choose one tree within City limits that exemplifies exceptional character by being large, historic, uniquely shaped, or a rare species for the area. Each Amazing Tree receives a plaque explaining its unique characteristics and the tree is placed in the City’s tree registry database.
Previous Winners
In 2018, the first Amazing Tree was Wilson Park's Bois d'Arc, Maclura pomifera also known as Osage Orange or Horse Apple. This particular tree was planted around 1918. This tree was chosen for its unique size, root structure, and age. The tree is one of the most photographed trees in the City. An estimated 100 years of age, this specimen is considered a “Witness Tree” a term used for trees that have been present during key historical events of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In 2019, an American elm, (Ulmus americana) was celebrated at the Washington Regional Medical Center. Today the elm is 75 feet (26m) tall and has a trunk circumference of 16 feet and 7 inches (5m). The canopy of the tree shades approximately 9,500 square feet (900 sm), or a little more than the equivalent of two basketball courts. This elm has been a silent witness to many residents’ and visitors’ personal and monumental life events.
In 2020, a pair of Eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana) on Center Street in front of the historic Walker-Stone house were celebrated for their extraordinarily large size. These two trees were planted around 1890 are approximately 35-40 feet (11-12m) tall. The tree to the west has a circumference of 98” (2.4m) and the tree to the east has a circumference of 84” (2.2m).
Some cedar trees can live up to 900 years, but typically live to around 200 years in forest conditions. These two trees are also considered “witness” trees. These two trees witnessed: the establishment of the Trail of Tears Heritage Trails in 1832; the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918; Arkansas becoming the twelfth state to ratify the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1919; the integration of schools in 1954; the establishment of the Buffalo National River in 1972; and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, a post oak (Quercus stellata), at the Fayetteville Public Library was selected. It stands around 70 feet (21m) tall, and its canopy covers approximately 3,200 square feet (55x55 s.f.). The trunk is 120.9 inches (3 m) in circumference. This tree has survived three construction events to expand the library between 1932 and 1951 and it is still thriving. A certified arborist regularly inspected the tree throughout the construction projects and provided great care to ensure it survived. It has been placed in a tree preservation easement for future protection.
Post oaks are among the more dominant oak species in Fayetteville forests and one of the most important tree species. This tree can host up to 421 different moths and butterflies and can be home to many small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Acorns produced by post oaks are a valuable source of food for squirrels, deer and turkey. The growth rate of the post oak is slow, but they can live to be 400 years old.
In 2022, the Urban Forestry staff and UFAB announced the newest selection for the Amazing Trees program. It is a dogwood tree growing on the north side of Lake Fayetteville. The Amazing Tree dogwood, Cornus florida, which stands 29 feet (8.5m) tall, is located along the Lake Fayetteville Trail at the far northeast corner of the park. The commemorative plaque will be placed near the base of the tree.
This dogwood is one of the largest of its species in the city. This popular native tree has a canopy that covers approximately 1,480 square feet (38x38ft)(12mx12m). The multi-stem trunks of this dogwood collectively measure around 10 feet (3x3m) in circumference.
The tree shines during the spring when it is covered in white flower-like bracts and is described as a “tree for all seasons”. Besides their beauty, dogwoods can host up to 85 species of moths and butterflies, making them important to wildlife. The actual flower is the tiny cluster of yellow-green inflorescence found in the center of the white bracts. Dogwood leaves change to crimson red and have bright red drupes in autumn and the fruits will persist through the winter months.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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
Fayetteville, Arkansas' Urban Forestry Program is managed by three separate entities within the City. The street tree maintenance program is performed by the Transportation Department right-of-way work crews while park and trail tree maintenance is performed by the Parks and Recreation Department's Urban Forestry Services crew. Tree preservation and protection for new development is performed by John Scott, the Urban Forester. Fayetteville is a 26-year Tree City USA community.
In 2018, the City of Fayetteville's, Urban Forestry Advisory Board (UFAB) and the Parks and Recreation Department's urban foresters created the “Amazing Trees of Fayetteville” project. This project was intended to educate the city residents about the importance of urban forests and promote tree preservation by celebrating the unique character of special trees in the City.
Each year, the UFAB and the City’s two urban foresters choose one tree within City limits that exemplifies exceptional character by being large, historic, uniquely shaped, or a rare species for the area. Each Amazing Tree receives a plaque explaining its unique characteristics and the tree is placed in the City’s tree registry database.
Previous Winners
In 2018, the first Amazing Tree was Wilson Park's Bois d'Arc, Maclura pomifera also known as Osage Orange or Horse Apple. This particular tree was planted around 1918. This tree was chosen for its unique size, root structure, and age. The tree is one of the most photographed trees in the City. An estimated 100 years of age, this specimen is considered a “Witness Tree” a term used for trees that have been present during key historical events of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In 2019, an American elm, (Ulmus americana) was celebrated at the Washington Regional Medical Center. Today the elm is 75 feet (26m) tall and has a trunk circumference of 16 feet and 7 inches (5m). The canopy of the tree shades approximately 9,500 square feet (900 sm), or a little more than the equivalent of two basketball courts. This elm has been a silent witness to many residents’ and visitors’ personal and monumental life events.
In 2020, a pair of Eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana) on Center Street in front of the historic Walker-Stone house were celebrated for their extraordinarily large size. These two trees were planted around 1890 are approximately 35-40 feet (11-12m) tall. The tree to the west has a circumference of 98” (2.4m) and the tree to the east has a circumference of 84” (2.2m).
Some cedar trees can live up to 900 years, but typically live to around 200 years in forest conditions. These two trees are also considered “witness” trees. These two trees witnessed: the establishment of the Trail of Tears Heritage Trails in 1832; the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918; Arkansas becoming the twelfth state to ratify the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1919; the integration of schools in 1954; the establishment of the Buffalo National River in 1972; and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, a post oak (Quercus stellata), at the Fayetteville Public Library was selected. It stands around 70 feet (21m) tall, and its canopy covers approximately 3,200 square feet (55x55 s.f.). The trunk is 120.9 inches (3 m) in circumference. This tree has survived three construction events to expand the library between 1932 and 1951 and it is still thriving. A certified arborist regularly inspected the tree throughout the construction projects and provided great care to ensure it survived. It has been placed in a tree preservation easement for future protection.
Post oaks are among the more dominant oak species in Fayetteville forests and one of the most important tree species. This tree can host up to 421 different moths and butterflies and can be home to many small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Acorns produced by post oaks are a valuable source of food for squirrels, deer and turkey. The growth rate of the post oak is slow, but they can live to be 400 years old.
In 2022, the Urban Forestry staff and UFAB announced the newest selection for the Amazing Trees program. It is a dogwood tree growing on the north side of Lake Fayetteville. The Amazing Tree dogwood, Cornus florida, which stands 29 feet (8.5m) tall, is located along the Lake Fayetteville Trail at the far northeast corner of the park. The commemorative plaque will be placed near the base of the tree.
This dogwood is one of the largest of its species in the city. This popular native tree has a canopy that covers approximately 1,480 square feet (38x38ft)(12mx12m). The multi-stem trunks of this dogwood collectively measure around 10 feet (3x3m) in circumference.
The tree shines during the spring when it is covered in white flower-like bracts and is described as a “tree for all seasons”. Besides their beauty, dogwoods can host up to 85 species of moths and butterflies, making them important to wildlife. The actual flower is the tiny cluster of yellow-green inflorescence found in the center of the white bracts. Dogwood leaves change to crimson red and have bright red drupes in autumn and the fruits will persist through the winter months.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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 with Tales
Chisos Mountains Oak
by Len Phillips
The Tree
Quercus tardifolia, commonly known as Chisos Mountains oak or lateleaf oak, is a rare North American species of oak. A single specimen of this oak tree once thought to be extinct, has been found in the Chisos Mountains inside Big Bend National Park in Texas on the US/Mexican border.
Quercus tardifolia is an evergreen tree in the Fagaceae family, that grows to about 30 feet (9 m) tall, varying shape, with gray bark and reddish-brown twigs. The leaves are flat, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, green on the upper surface and with woolly hairs on the underside, with a few shallow lobes. Flowers and nuts are typical of Quercus.
The Tales
Botanical researchers who discovered a Chisos Mountains oak recognized an immediate need of conservation within Big Bend National Park in Texas. The discovery was made by a group of scientists headed by The Morton Arboretum and United States Botanic Garden (USBG). They were ecstatic to discover a lone tree standing in the park, although it is in poor health.
This tree was first described in the 1930s and the last known living specimen was believed to have perished in 2011. Researchers hope that by determining why this tree is becoming extinct may be able to protect other organisms from the same fate. Unfortunately, it is still unclear whether this last specimen of Q. tardifolia can be saved.
On May 25, 2022, a team of researchers made the discovery of a tree who’s trunk was scarred by fire and showed evidence of severe fungal infection. Another drought or fire has the potential to end its life, according to the scientists who also report that climate change makes this outcome more likely each year. The researchers are now working with the National Park Service to reduce the immediate wildfire threat to the tree. Conservationists are moving quickly to search for acorns to attempt propagation.
The Chisos Mountains support a high diversity of oak species, partly because of the wide range of habitats available in the Chisos. Oaks tend to hybridize, or crossbreed, which may allow them to adapt more quickly to changing climate conditions such as extreme heat and new diseases. This frequent hybridization can also blur the genetic lines between oak species in a given ecosystem like Big Bend and the Chisos Mountains.
Molecular analysis will confirm whether the DNA of the newly discovered tree matches that of previous samples of Q. tardifolia. That should tell the researchers whether this collection is the same as what Cornelius H. Muller named Q. tardifolia.
According to Andrew Hipp, Ph.D., senior scientist in plant systematics and herbarium director at The Morton Arboretum, whose team will be conducting the genetic analysis, “This is an interesting problem. We’re looking into whether this tree is genetically similar to other trees that have been previously collected as Q. tardifolia. It should tell the researchers whether this collection of specimens is genetically distinct enough from other closely related oaks in the area to warrant recognition as a species.
Oaks are exceptional among tree species in that their acorns cannot be traditionally seed banked for conservation purposes. According to the researchers, they must be preserved in the wild or in living collections, which is why the involvement of botanical gardens is critical. The researchers who found the Q. tardifolia tree are concerned that it is not producing acorns. Other methods of propagation, including grafting, are being pursued to preserve the oak’s future.
Oaks serve as a very important ecological anchor for cleaning air, filtering water, sequestering carbon dioxide and supporting countless fungi, insects, birds and mammals.
However, Westwood, Pell and others warn that conservation efforts such as this require collaborative initiatives, such as the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak, the involvement of botanical gardens and a variety of scientific experts to secure a future for endangered trees.
In many ways, this tree is an ancient relic. Due to the changing climate, the world is completely different now than when it evolved. It is incumbent upon us to learn from it and protect it while we still can in order to inform future conservation efforts.
Sources
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
Chisos Mountains Oak
by Len Phillips
The Tree
Quercus tardifolia, commonly known as Chisos Mountains oak or lateleaf oak, is a rare North American species of oak. A single specimen of this oak tree once thought to be extinct, has been found in the Chisos Mountains inside Big Bend National Park in Texas on the US/Mexican border.
Quercus tardifolia is an evergreen tree in the Fagaceae family, that grows to about 30 feet (9 m) tall, varying shape, with gray bark and reddish-brown twigs. The leaves are flat, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, green on the upper surface and with woolly hairs on the underside, with a few shallow lobes. Flowers and nuts are typical of Quercus.
The Tales
Botanical researchers who discovered a Chisos Mountains oak recognized an immediate need of conservation within Big Bend National Park in Texas. The discovery was made by a group of scientists headed by The Morton Arboretum and United States Botanic Garden (USBG). They were ecstatic to discover a lone tree standing in the park, although it is in poor health.
This tree was first described in the 1930s and the last known living specimen was believed to have perished in 2011. Researchers hope that by determining why this tree is becoming extinct may be able to protect other organisms from the same fate. Unfortunately, it is still unclear whether this last specimen of Q. tardifolia can be saved.
On May 25, 2022, a team of researchers made the discovery of a tree who’s trunk was scarred by fire and showed evidence of severe fungal infection. Another drought or fire has the potential to end its life, according to the scientists who also report that climate change makes this outcome more likely each year. The researchers are now working with the National Park Service to reduce the immediate wildfire threat to the tree. Conservationists are moving quickly to search for acorns to attempt propagation.
The Chisos Mountains support a high diversity of oak species, partly because of the wide range of habitats available in the Chisos. Oaks tend to hybridize, or crossbreed, which may allow them to adapt more quickly to changing climate conditions such as extreme heat and new diseases. This frequent hybridization can also blur the genetic lines between oak species in a given ecosystem like Big Bend and the Chisos Mountains.
Molecular analysis will confirm whether the DNA of the newly discovered tree matches that of previous samples of Q. tardifolia. That should tell the researchers whether this collection is the same as what Cornelius H. Muller named Q. tardifolia.
According to Andrew Hipp, Ph.D., senior scientist in plant systematics and herbarium director at The Morton Arboretum, whose team will be conducting the genetic analysis, “This is an interesting problem. We’re looking into whether this tree is genetically similar to other trees that have been previously collected as Q. tardifolia. It should tell the researchers whether this collection of specimens is genetically distinct enough from other closely related oaks in the area to warrant recognition as a species.
Oaks are exceptional among tree species in that their acorns cannot be traditionally seed banked for conservation purposes. According to the researchers, they must be preserved in the wild or in living collections, which is why the involvement of botanical gardens is critical. The researchers who found the Q. tardifolia tree are concerned that it is not producing acorns. Other methods of propagation, including grafting, are being pursued to preserve the oak’s future.
Oaks serve as a very important ecological anchor for cleaning air, filtering water, sequestering carbon dioxide and supporting countless fungi, insects, birds and mammals.
However, Westwood, Pell and others warn that conservation efforts such as this require collaborative initiatives, such as the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak, the involvement of botanical gardens and a variety of scientific experts to secure a future for endangered trees.
In many ways, this tree is an ancient relic. Due to the changing climate, the world is completely different now than when it evolved. It is incumbent upon us to learn from it and protect it while we still can in order to inform future conservation efforts.
Sources
- The Morton Arboretum, “Scientists Rediscover Oak Tree Thought To Be Extinct”, July 2022.
- Wikipedia, “Quercus tardifolia”,7 July 2022.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
The Largest Plant in the World
Edited by Len Phillips
About 4,500 years ago, a single seed spawned from two different seagrass species (Posidonia) found itself nestled in a favorable spot in what is now known as Shark Bay, Australia.
Left to its own devices and relatively undisturbed by human hands, scientists have discovered that the plant has grown to what is now believed to be the largest plant anywhere on Earth, covering about 77 sq miles or 200 sq km, just over three times the size of Manhattan island.
The species is Posidonia australis, also known as ribbon weed or fibre-ball weed and is commonly found along the southern coastlines of Australia. But when scientists started looking for genetic differences in the ribbon weed across the bay, they realized that samples taken from all sites that were 110 mi (180 km) apart suggested there were not multiple specimens of Posidonia australis, but one single plant.
Dr Elizabeth Sinclair, a co-author of the research at University of Western Australia, said they had not given the plant a nickname, and original samples pulled from the seagrass meadow originally had 116 different labels with GPS coordinates when they were stored for genetic sampling.
Conditions in Shark Bay itself are challenging. The plant has found a way to survive in areas where the salinity is double that elsewhere in the bay, and it can thrive in water temperatures as cold as 58°F (15°C) and as hot as 85°F(30°C). The seagrass plant’s survival appears to be linked to how it had held on to all the chromosomes from its two parents, giving it inbuilt genetic diversity. Instead of getting half of its genes from one parent and half from the other, it has kept all of them.
A student researcher said about 18,000 genetic markers were examined as they looked for variations in the species that might help them select specimens for use in restoration projects. But what they found instead was that the same plant had spread using rhizomes in the same way that a lawn can spread by sending out runners. The existing ribbon weed meadows appear to have expanded from a single, colonizing seedling. The plant has formed huge, dense meadows that in some areas stretch as far as the eye can see in all directions. The ribbons of the plant are only 4 inches (10cm) long in some places, but up to a yard (meter) long in others.
The colleagues are still working through the secrets of the giant specimen, but it appears to be largely sterile and so has to rely on its own ability to grow, rather than disperse seeds. The fact the plant does not have a sex but has survived for so long is a puzzle. Plants that don’t have sex tend to also have reduced genetic diversity, which they normally need when dealing with environmental change.
Ribbon weed rhizomes can grow up to 14 inches (35cm) a year and, using that rate, the researchers published in Proceedings of the Royal Society, an estimate that the plant will have needed at least 4,500 years to spread as far as it has.
Source
“The Largest Plant in the World”, Graham Readfearn, 31 May 2022
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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
About 4,500 years ago, a single seed spawned from two different seagrass species (Posidonia) found itself nestled in a favorable spot in what is now known as Shark Bay, Australia.
Left to its own devices and relatively undisturbed by human hands, scientists have discovered that the plant has grown to what is now believed to be the largest plant anywhere on Earth, covering about 77 sq miles or 200 sq km, just over three times the size of Manhattan island.
The species is Posidonia australis, also known as ribbon weed or fibre-ball weed and is commonly found along the southern coastlines of Australia. But when scientists started looking for genetic differences in the ribbon weed across the bay, they realized that samples taken from all sites that were 110 mi (180 km) apart suggested there were not multiple specimens of Posidonia australis, but one single plant.
Dr Elizabeth Sinclair, a co-author of the research at University of Western Australia, said they had not given the plant a nickname, and original samples pulled from the seagrass meadow originally had 116 different labels with GPS coordinates when they were stored for genetic sampling.
Conditions in Shark Bay itself are challenging. The plant has found a way to survive in areas where the salinity is double that elsewhere in the bay, and it can thrive in water temperatures as cold as 58°F (15°C) and as hot as 85°F(30°C). The seagrass plant’s survival appears to be linked to how it had held on to all the chromosomes from its two parents, giving it inbuilt genetic diversity. Instead of getting half of its genes from one parent and half from the other, it has kept all of them.
A student researcher said about 18,000 genetic markers were examined as they looked for variations in the species that might help them select specimens for use in restoration projects. But what they found instead was that the same plant had spread using rhizomes in the same way that a lawn can spread by sending out runners. The existing ribbon weed meadows appear to have expanded from a single, colonizing seedling. The plant has formed huge, dense meadows that in some areas stretch as far as the eye can see in all directions. The ribbons of the plant are only 4 inches (10cm) long in some places, but up to a yard (meter) long in others.
The colleagues are still working through the secrets of the giant specimen, but it appears to be largely sterile and so has to rely on its own ability to grow, rather than disperse seeds. The fact the plant does not have a sex but has survived for so long is a puzzle. Plants that don’t have sex tend to also have reduced genetic diversity, which they normally need when dealing with environmental change.
Ribbon weed rhizomes can grow up to 14 inches (35cm) a year and, using that rate, the researchers published in Proceedings of the Royal Society, an estimate that the plant will have needed at least 4,500 years to spread as far as it has.
Source
“The Largest Plant in the World”, Graham Readfearn, 31 May 2022
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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.
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*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.
Outstanding Inventor of Trees
Dr. Michael Dirr
Edited by Len Phillips
Michael A. Dirr, professor emeritus, horticulture, University of Georgia, is widely acknowledged as one of the leading experts on trees and shrubs for landscapes and gardens.
Michael was born in Atlanta and grew up in Georgia. He earned a Bachelors in Science degree in Plant Physiology and a Masters in Science degree in Plant Physiology from Ohio State University. He also earned a Ph.D in Plant Physiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) in 1972. Upon graduation from UMass, Dirr became an Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Illinois, Urbana, where he continued to work until 1978. He then became a Mercer Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University through 1979, when he became the Director of the University of Georgia (UGA) Botanical Garden. In 1981, he returned to teach at the UGA and was promoted to Professor in 1984. He earned an honorary Doctorate in 1998 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst for significant contributions to Horticulture and the University.
Dr. Dirr introduced over 200 woody plants into cultivation and holds 29 patents with the UGA Research Foundation. With two partners, he established Plant Introductions, Inc., a breeding and introduction company in 2006, selling it to Bailey Nurseries in 2015. Dirr continues to work in lockstep with the American nursery industry to introduce and promote new trees and shrubs. Dirr's Plant Introduction Program has introduced the widely acclaimed Bignonia capreolata 'Jekyll', Buddleia x weyeriana 'Honeycomb', Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy', Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice', Ulmus parvifolia Alldée® and Athena® and Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster'. Currently, the program is focused on controlled breeding of Abelia, Buddleia, Hydrangea, Chamaecyparis, Clethra, Osmanthus, Lagerstroemia, Cephalotaxus, and Itea. These genera offer significant potential for the selection of commercial, garden worthy cultivars.
His teaching prowess was recognized by departmental, college, and national awards such as the American Nursery and Landscape Association's L.C. Chadwick Outstanding Educator Award. He has received the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Silver Medal for Excellence in Horticultural Writing, the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America in 1993, the Scott Medal from Swarthmore College, the Linnaeus Award from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Silver Seal from the National Federation of State Garden Clubs and the Georgia Green Industry Lifetime Membership Award.
Recognized as the number one academic contributor to the Landscape Industry by Landscape Management magazine, he has presented hundreds of lectures to colleges, industry groups, and garden organizations.
Dr. Dirr has been generous with his time and resources, sharing a love of plants with students, amateurs, and professionals in the Green Industry. As a tribute to his contributions, the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia established the Michael A. Dirr Endowed Professorship for Woody Plant Instruction and Introduction.
Michael Dirr retired from the University of Georgia in October 2003. He is now active in research and new plant development.
Dr. Michael A. Dirr's lifelong passion for horticulture has positively influenced a generation of students, gardeners, nurserymen, and professional horticulturists. His teaching, research, and writing have made an immeasurable impact on the Green Industry, not only in Georgia, but throughout the United States.
Dirr has published over 300 articles and has authored seven books. His 1973 book, “Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture and Propagation and Uses” has become one of the most widely adopted reference texts in the education of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. It has sold over 250,000 copies. Other major works include:
Sources
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Utility Worker, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, 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 Merchant' / 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.
Dr. Michael Dirr
Edited by Len Phillips
Michael A. Dirr, professor emeritus, horticulture, University of Georgia, is widely acknowledged as one of the leading experts on trees and shrubs for landscapes and gardens.
Michael was born in Atlanta and grew up in Georgia. He earned a Bachelors in Science degree in Plant Physiology and a Masters in Science degree in Plant Physiology from Ohio State University. He also earned a Ph.D in Plant Physiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) in 1972. Upon graduation from UMass, Dirr became an Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Illinois, Urbana, where he continued to work until 1978. He then became a Mercer Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University through 1979, when he became the Director of the University of Georgia (UGA) Botanical Garden. In 1981, he returned to teach at the UGA and was promoted to Professor in 1984. He earned an honorary Doctorate in 1998 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst for significant contributions to Horticulture and the University.
Dr. Dirr introduced over 200 woody plants into cultivation and holds 29 patents with the UGA Research Foundation. With two partners, he established Plant Introductions, Inc., a breeding and introduction company in 2006, selling it to Bailey Nurseries in 2015. Dirr continues to work in lockstep with the American nursery industry to introduce and promote new trees and shrubs. Dirr's Plant Introduction Program has introduced the widely acclaimed Bignonia capreolata 'Jekyll', Buddleia x weyeriana 'Honeycomb', Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy', Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice', Ulmus parvifolia Alldée® and Athena® and Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster'. Currently, the program is focused on controlled breeding of Abelia, Buddleia, Hydrangea, Chamaecyparis, Clethra, Osmanthus, Lagerstroemia, Cephalotaxus, and Itea. These genera offer significant potential for the selection of commercial, garden worthy cultivars.
His teaching prowess was recognized by departmental, college, and national awards such as the American Nursery and Landscape Association's L.C. Chadwick Outstanding Educator Award. He has received the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Silver Medal for Excellence in Horticultural Writing, the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America in 1993, the Scott Medal from Swarthmore College, the Linnaeus Award from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Silver Seal from the National Federation of State Garden Clubs and the Georgia Green Industry Lifetime Membership Award.
Recognized as the number one academic contributor to the Landscape Industry by Landscape Management magazine, he has presented hundreds of lectures to colleges, industry groups, and garden organizations.
Dr. Dirr has been generous with his time and resources, sharing a love of plants with students, amateurs, and professionals in the Green Industry. As a tribute to his contributions, the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia established the Michael A. Dirr Endowed Professorship for Woody Plant Instruction and Introduction.
Michael Dirr retired from the University of Georgia in October 2003. He is now active in research and new plant development.
Dr. Michael A. Dirr's lifelong passion for horticulture has positively influenced a generation of students, gardeners, nurserymen, and professional horticulturists. His teaching, research, and writing have made an immeasurable impact on the Green Industry, not only in Georgia, but throughout the United States.
Dirr has published over 300 articles and has authored seven books. His 1973 book, “Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture and Propagation and Uses” has become one of the most widely adopted reference texts in the education of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. It has sold over 250,000 copies. Other major works include:
- Michael A, Dirr and Keith S Warren 2019, The Tree Book, Timber Press, Portland, OR
- Dirr, M.A. 2011. Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs. Timber Pres, Portland, OR (951 p). ISBN 978-0-88192-901-0
- Dirr, M.A. 2002. Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Portland, Or. (448 p.) ISBN 978-0-88192-525-8
- Dirr, M.A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL.
- Dirr, M.A. 1997. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs - An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Timber Press, Portland, OR. (494 p.) ISBN 978-0-88192-404-6
- Dirr, M.A. 1997. Michael A. Dirr's Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants on CD-ROM. PlantAmerica, Locust Valley, NY. (4 CDs)
Sources
- “Michael A. Dirr” University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture.
- Wikipedia, “Michael A. Dirr”, 23 June 2022.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Utility Worker, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, 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 Merchant' / 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.
Fungi That Attack Trees
Edited by Len Phillips
Vigorously growing trees are usually able to resist decay fungi by outgrowing them or by stopping them with natural barriers but wounded or weakened trees are more susceptible to invasion. Some of the fungi that cause serious plant diseases are easily controlled by fungicide applications. Many older trees that fail during storms have had their strength reduced by decay fungi. Strength loss is difficult to detect but mushrooms or bracket fungi on the trunk are warnings. Even after the tree has died, these fungi continue to use the tree roots as a food base, which they can transfer to new trees by root contact or by spores released from fruiting bodies (conks).
Armillaria Root Disease
Armillaria root disease, also known as shoestring root rot, is caused by the fungus Armillaria. Forty species of Armillaria cause death to trees under all types of stress by reducing absorption and translocation of water and minerals from the soil to the tree. However, because the symptoms produced by Armillaria-infected trees are nonspecific, they are easily misdiagnosed as drought, mineral deficiencies, infestations, and other pathogen attacks. Confirmation of Armillaria root disease is based on finding toadstools that form between the bark and wood of buttress roots; black rhizomorphs (shoestring-like aggregations of mycelium) on infected roots, under the bark of infected trees, and in the soil near the infected trees. The fungus survives and spreads in organic mulches.
Several species in the genus Armillaria cause similar diseases (Worrall 2022). Armillaria sinapina is the most common species and it kills broadleaf trees and shrubs. A. sinapina often colonizes on conifer stumps in managed coastal forests. A. gallica spreads slowly on the host's root system; usually only stressed hosts are killed. A. ostoyae causes significant damage, including growth repression and mortality to conifers, broadleaf trees, shrubs, and some herbs. It is capable of penetrating, infecting, and killing healthy, vigorous trees. Entry into host trees occurs through roots, wounds, and directly through uninjured tissues.
Management Recommendations
Annosus Root Disease
Heterobasidion annosum (formerly called Fomes annosus) is found in temperate zone forests, where it causes butt rot of conifers. The P-type is found only on pines and the S-type is found on spruce and other conifers. The P-type occurs from Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. The west coast has both S and P-types and these are regarded as serious problems. The fungus infects freshly cut stumps by means of airborne spores, growing into its roots, and spreading to adjacent healthy trees at root contacts. Airborne spores also infect stem wounds on thin-barked species, such as hemlock and fir, where extensive decay can develop above and below the wound. It forms conks. Pines tend to be killed outright when the fungus grows in the cambium and girdles the root collar. Other conifers tend to get butt rot but can survive for many years with the disease.
Another related fungus is Fomes fomentarius which infects maple, beech, and birch, commonly on older pruning wounds.
Stumps in the West may sustain the fungus for over 50 years while in the Southeast, the fungus can consume a stump in less than 10 years.
Management Recommendations
Laminated Root Rot (LRR)
There are three forms of the fungus Phellinus weirii: “Asian” form; “North American Douglas-fir” form known as P. sulphurascens; and “Cedar” form. The Douglas-fir form affects several conifer species while the Cedar form affects species of cedar. This is one of the most damaging root diseases affecting conifers in northwestern North America; all hardwoods are immune to LRR infection. The disease causes mortality, growth reduction, and butt rot. LRR first infects and kills its host, then colonizes and uses them as food sources. LRR begins when roots contact infected stumps from the previous stand. LRR may survive in stumps for up to 50 years and will produce brown, flat conks. LRR can colonize healthy root bark, although older trees are better able to tolerate infection.
Management Recommendations
White Pine Root Disease
Verticicladiella procera is of great significance in Christmas tree plantations and in new forest plantations. It is also associated with dying white pine stands in the southern Appalachians. There are no fruiting bodies associated with this fungus that can be readily seen. Infected, mature white pines die from the top down. Some trees may die within a year and others may decline over several years, with mortality randomly occurring, with 1% to 3% of the affected trees dying annually. A chocolate-brown canker may occur under the bark at the root collar. Tree death may result from the killing of numerous small roots 3/16 inch (5 mm) in diameter or less. Wet sites appear to favor the disease.
Management Recommendations
Other Fungi
Root and Butt Rots – These are wood-decay diseases caused by Basidiomycota. They enter through wounds in the trunk or roots and kill cambial tissues. The tree will die when the root collar is girdled. A tree can live with butt rot and stem decay for many years. The tree may often die because it is uprooted or snapped, rather than from the rot itself.
Cerrena unicolor fruits as multiple, thin, leathery shelves, with green moss on top of younger shelves. It produces an ever-expanding elongated canker on many deciduous trees.
Climacodon septentrionalis is made up of multiple cream-colored, spore bearing shelves that fruits in August and September, especially on sugar maple.
Cortical Root Rots – Many of the fungi that attack the cortex of young roots move into the cambium and phloem of woody roots.
Daedalea quercina has woody, shelf-like fruiting bodies growing from old pruning wounds. The underside is maze-like and this fungus is common on oaks.
Artist Conk – Ganoderma applanatum is a woody shelf-type fruiting body up to 2' wide that is found on the lower part of trunk. The top is brownish with a creamy white margin. Its wide host range includes oaks, maples, and beech.
Chicken-of-the-Woods – Laetiporus sulfureus has a lemon-yellow/orange shelf-type fruiting body found singly or in overlapping fans on trunks and butts of many deciduous trees.
Black-Stain Root Disease – Various western conifers will reveal dramatic streaks of black stain caused by Leptographium wageneri, a deuteromycete that is closely related to Ophiostoma stain fungi. The three hosts are Ponderosa pine, Pinon pine, and Douglas-fir. Root feeding weevils are attracted to fresh wounds and stumps and thinning sometimes initiates the disease. The dark hyphae grow in tracheids and are probably insect-vectored for long-distance dispersal. It grows root-to-root for secondary spread. Avoid wounding, creating wet areas, and performing commercial thinning, and conduct operations in summer to avoid vector activity.
Tomentosus Root Disease – Inonotus tomentosus is known to be the most widespread root disease in the boreal and sub-boreal forests of the northern hemisphere. The host range includes spruce and larch. The disease causes mortality, growth reduction, root infections, butt rot, and predisposition to windthrow. The effects of Tomentosus vary with geographic region, soil factors, pathogen spread, and host response. This fungus can build up in the stumps with continued cutting. Spores can spread the disease quickly to new areas. I. tomentosus can survive in stumps for up to 30 years. Research has led to control by host resistance and removal of infected stumps. Commercial thinning of susceptible species can encourage planting and establishment of more resistant species.
Rhizoctonia Root Rot – Rhizoctonia solani is a root rot and web blight that can infect all ornamental plants. It spreads most quickly in warm, wet, and humid conditions. It grows within the top several inches of the soil and will spread from infected roots into the lower branches, killing leaves and stems very quickly.
Black Root Rot – This disease is caused by Thielaviopsis basicola and can be devastating. It is usually found in palms, Japanese holly, and Illicium, as well as phlox, verbena, and hibiscus. Leaves will turn yellow shortly before death. The roots become black and water soaked. The disease is more severe when the temperature is high and the pH is over 6.0. Sanitation is the best control and fungicides are useful when the disease is detected.
Phytophthora Fungi – This is a major problem in many areas of the United States and other countries as well. For more information on this pest, see a past article on Phytophthora.
Sources
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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
Vigorously growing trees are usually able to resist decay fungi by outgrowing them or by stopping them with natural barriers but wounded or weakened trees are more susceptible to invasion. Some of the fungi that cause serious plant diseases are easily controlled by fungicide applications. Many older trees that fail during storms have had their strength reduced by decay fungi. Strength loss is difficult to detect but mushrooms or bracket fungi on the trunk are warnings. Even after the tree has died, these fungi continue to use the tree roots as a food base, which they can transfer to new trees by root contact or by spores released from fruiting bodies (conks).
Armillaria Root Disease
Armillaria root disease, also known as shoestring root rot, is caused by the fungus Armillaria. Forty species of Armillaria cause death to trees under all types of stress by reducing absorption and translocation of water and minerals from the soil to the tree. However, because the symptoms produced by Armillaria-infected trees are nonspecific, they are easily misdiagnosed as drought, mineral deficiencies, infestations, and other pathogen attacks. Confirmation of Armillaria root disease is based on finding toadstools that form between the bark and wood of buttress roots; black rhizomorphs (shoestring-like aggregations of mycelium) on infected roots, under the bark of infected trees, and in the soil near the infected trees. The fungus survives and spreads in organic mulches.
Several species in the genus Armillaria cause similar diseases (Worrall 2022). Armillaria sinapina is the most common species and it kills broadleaf trees and shrubs. A. sinapina often colonizes on conifer stumps in managed coastal forests. A. gallica spreads slowly on the host's root system; usually only stressed hosts are killed. A. ostoyae causes significant damage, including growth repression and mortality to conifers, broadleaf trees, shrubs, and some herbs. It is capable of penetrating, infecting, and killing healthy, vigorous trees. Entry into host trees occurs through roots, wounds, and directly through uninjured tissues.
Management Recommendations
- Reduce environmental stress and encourage and maintain tree vigor.
- Maintain the natural composition of tree species.
- Replant with resistant or moderately resistant species.
- Use mycorrhizae as a non-chemical control of Armillaria.
- Harvest conventionally and remove the stump to reduce inoculum.
- Prevent spread of rhizomorphs by trenching around infected trees.
- Remove dead and dying trees during logging operations.
- Avoid wounding residual trees during logging operations.
- Plow and burn stumps of Armillaria infected trees before replanting.
- Delay planting on land previously occupied by oaks.
Annosus Root Disease
Heterobasidion annosum (formerly called Fomes annosus) is found in temperate zone forests, where it causes butt rot of conifers. The P-type is found only on pines and the S-type is found on spruce and other conifers. The P-type occurs from Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. The west coast has both S and P-types and these are regarded as serious problems. The fungus infects freshly cut stumps by means of airborne spores, growing into its roots, and spreading to adjacent healthy trees at root contacts. Airborne spores also infect stem wounds on thin-barked species, such as hemlock and fir, where extensive decay can develop above and below the wound. It forms conks. Pines tend to be killed outright when the fungus grows in the cambium and girdles the root collar. Other conifers tend to get butt rot but can survive for many years with the disease.
Another related fungus is Fomes fomentarius which infects maple, beech, and birch, commonly on older pruning wounds.
Stumps in the West may sustain the fungus for over 50 years while in the Southeast, the fungus can consume a stump in less than 10 years.
Management Recommendations
- Reduce wounding in conifers (except pines), and treat stumps with chemicals (borax) or biocontrol (Phlebia gigantea).
- Plant and thin during times when infection risk is minimal, from May to August.
- Replace susceptible hosts with resistant species and encourage mixed-species stands.
Laminated Root Rot (LRR)
There are three forms of the fungus Phellinus weirii: “Asian” form; “North American Douglas-fir” form known as P. sulphurascens; and “Cedar” form. The Douglas-fir form affects several conifer species while the Cedar form affects species of cedar. This is one of the most damaging root diseases affecting conifers in northwestern North America; all hardwoods are immune to LRR infection. The disease causes mortality, growth reduction, and butt rot. LRR first infects and kills its host, then colonizes and uses them as food sources. LRR begins when roots contact infected stumps from the previous stand. LRR may survive in stumps for up to 50 years and will produce brown, flat conks. LRR can colonize healthy root bark, although older trees are better able to tolerate infection.
Management Recommendations
- In sapling stands, cull all trees that are susceptible to LRR.
- Remove infected trees so the fungus will die out.
- Salvage symptomatic trees and consider harvesting earlier than usual.
- Thinning is ineffective because there will be infected trees left as crop trees.
- When planting, an alternating mixture of species should be considered.
- Use resistant trees.
- Consider biological controls such as Tricoderma viride as soon as a suitable field delivery system is developed.
White Pine Root Disease
Verticicladiella procera is of great significance in Christmas tree plantations and in new forest plantations. It is also associated with dying white pine stands in the southern Appalachians. There are no fruiting bodies associated with this fungus that can be readily seen. Infected, mature white pines die from the top down. Some trees may die within a year and others may decline over several years, with mortality randomly occurring, with 1% to 3% of the affected trees dying annually. A chocolate-brown canker may occur under the bark at the root collar. Tree death may result from the killing of numerous small roots 3/16 inch (5 mm) in diameter or less. Wet sites appear to favor the disease.
Management Recommendations
- Prevention is the best defense.
- Promote reasonable growth of young trees.
- Water well during dry spells.
- Aerate the soil.
- Maintain a 2" layer of organic mulch.
- Apply slow-release fertilizer in early fall or spring.
- Efforts should be made to avoid injuring the roots during construction.
- Protect the young trunk from injury.
- Use proper pruning techniques, timing, and management.
Other Fungi
Root and Butt Rots – These are wood-decay diseases caused by Basidiomycota. They enter through wounds in the trunk or roots and kill cambial tissues. The tree will die when the root collar is girdled. A tree can live with butt rot and stem decay for many years. The tree may often die because it is uprooted or snapped, rather than from the rot itself.
Cerrena unicolor fruits as multiple, thin, leathery shelves, with green moss on top of younger shelves. It produces an ever-expanding elongated canker on many deciduous trees.
Climacodon septentrionalis is made up of multiple cream-colored, spore bearing shelves that fruits in August and September, especially on sugar maple.
Cortical Root Rots – Many of the fungi that attack the cortex of young roots move into the cambium and phloem of woody roots.
Daedalea quercina has woody, shelf-like fruiting bodies growing from old pruning wounds. The underside is maze-like and this fungus is common on oaks.
Artist Conk – Ganoderma applanatum is a woody shelf-type fruiting body up to 2' wide that is found on the lower part of trunk. The top is brownish with a creamy white margin. Its wide host range includes oaks, maples, and beech.
Chicken-of-the-Woods – Laetiporus sulfureus has a lemon-yellow/orange shelf-type fruiting body found singly or in overlapping fans on trunks and butts of many deciduous trees.
Black-Stain Root Disease – Various western conifers will reveal dramatic streaks of black stain caused by Leptographium wageneri, a deuteromycete that is closely related to Ophiostoma stain fungi. The three hosts are Ponderosa pine, Pinon pine, and Douglas-fir. Root feeding weevils are attracted to fresh wounds and stumps and thinning sometimes initiates the disease. The dark hyphae grow in tracheids and are probably insect-vectored for long-distance dispersal. It grows root-to-root for secondary spread. Avoid wounding, creating wet areas, and performing commercial thinning, and conduct operations in summer to avoid vector activity.
Tomentosus Root Disease – Inonotus tomentosus is known to be the most widespread root disease in the boreal and sub-boreal forests of the northern hemisphere. The host range includes spruce and larch. The disease causes mortality, growth reduction, root infections, butt rot, and predisposition to windthrow. The effects of Tomentosus vary with geographic region, soil factors, pathogen spread, and host response. This fungus can build up in the stumps with continued cutting. Spores can spread the disease quickly to new areas. I. tomentosus can survive in stumps for up to 30 years. Research has led to control by host resistance and removal of infected stumps. Commercial thinning of susceptible species can encourage planting and establishment of more resistant species.
Rhizoctonia Root Rot – Rhizoctonia solani is a root rot and web blight that can infect all ornamental plants. It spreads most quickly in warm, wet, and humid conditions. It grows within the top several inches of the soil and will spread from infected roots into the lower branches, killing leaves and stems very quickly.
Black Root Rot – This disease is caused by Thielaviopsis basicola and can be devastating. It is usually found in palms, Japanese holly, and Illicium, as well as phlox, verbena, and hibiscus. Leaves will turn yellow shortly before death. The roots become black and water soaked. The disease is more severe when the temperature is high and the pH is over 6.0. Sanitation is the best control and fungicides are useful when the disease is detected.
Phytophthora Fungi – This is a major problem in many areas of the United States and other countries as well. For more information on this pest, see a past article on Phytophthora.
Sources
- Ammon, Vernon, "Ornamental & Tree Diseases", Plant Disease Dispatch Sheets, Mississippi State University, December 2000.
- CFS research staff, "Tomentosus Root Disease", Canadian Forestry Service, 2008.
- Goff, Kate, "Life Underground" Erosion Control, September/October 1999.
- "Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South", USDA Forest Service - Southern Region, Protection Report R8-PR 16, June 1989.
- Johnson, David W., "Introduction to Decays", Forest Health Management, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, 1998.
- "RHS research projects: plant pests & diseases", The Royal Horticultural Society 2011.
- Sinclair, Wayne A., Howard H. Lyon, and Warren T. Johnson, Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, Cornell University Press, Ithaca NY, 1987.
- William–Woodward, Jean, "How to Prevent Root Rot", Nursery Management and Production, September 2004.
- Worrall, J.J., "Forest & Shade Tree Pathology", Online Textbook, 2011.
- Worrall, J.J., “Armillaria Root Disease” Forest Pathology, 2022. Retrieved from https://forestpathology.org/root-diseases/armillaria
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial 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 Merchant' / 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 Watering After Installation
Edited by Len Phillips
The most neglected part of the planting process is an extended commitment to watering during the critical months following planting. Part of the problem lies in the fact that specific recommendations about frequency and amount of water to apply are almost impossible to give, especially for sites where soils have been altered. The arborist overseeing the planting program must adapt the watering recommendations to accommodate for different species and different soils.
Water is essential for the tree to manufacture food. It also acts as a coolant, keeping the tree from overheating on summer days. Water serves as a system for transporting food throughout the tree. The lack of available water reduces the tree’s ability to make food and support normal functions. Symptoms of water stress include wilting and loss of leaves.
The removal of branches at planting for compensatory pruning was a common practice in the past. It was thought that fewer leaves meant less demand for water, leading to better establishment. Recent research has found that the opposite is true, trees establish more quickly without compensatory pruning, provided they are watered frequently.
Watering New Trees
When a tree is planted, the hole should be filled with water halfway through the planting process and again when it is completely planted. The saucer should be filled two more times within 24 hours after planting. Even if it is raining, a thorough watering will eliminate trapped air pockets and reduce transplant shock. After planting, a thorough watering once a week is necessary until the end of the growing season. On extremely hot or windy days, a fine misting of the leaves may be necessary several times a day. Watering may also be necessary during drought periods for a few years after planting. Mulching trees with a 1 – 3 inch (2.5 – 8 cm) thick layer is recommended as it helps reduce evaporation and conserve water.
Frequently irrigated trees and shrubs establish faster than those receiving infrequent irrigation. This seems especially true for container-grown nursery stock. Initially, the best place to check water need is in the root ball or soils in direct contact with roots. Moisture in these relatively small areas will be the primary source of water for the tree until the root system grows into the backfill.
Recent evidence suggests frequent irrigation provides more benefit than applying large volumes of water infrequently. Within two to three days, root balls of newly planted trees will dry to levels that impede root growth. Be sure to gradually increase the area irrigated around the tree to accommodate root growth. This recommendation is in direct contrast to the recommendation for established trees where occasional irrigation with large water volumes is considered better than light, frequent applications.
For trees planted in spring or summer, provide one (in cooler hardiness zones) to three waterings (in warmer hardiness zones) each week during the first few months after planting. Daily irrigation in the warmest hardiness zones provides the quickest establishment. Following the initial few months of frequent irrigation, begin to provide weekly irrigation until trees are fully established. In most landscapes that receive more than 30 inches of rain annually, if the mulch area is maintained weed-free, irrigation does not need to be applied outside of the root ball. Never water if the root ball is saturated.
The maximum size tree should be determined not only by the budget, but also by irrigation capabilities and climate. If irrigation cannot be provided, choose smaller nursery stock to ensure survival. If trees will be irrigated infrequently, only seeds, seedlings, or small saplings of drought tolerant trees should be planted. Small-sized nursery stock has a small crown, so roots come into balance with the tree soon after planting. Once roots come into balance with the top of the tree, they usually grow well with rainfall alone. If trees will be irrigated only until they are established, drought tolerant trees should be chosen, and nursery stock of any size can be planted.
Roots must generate and grow into surrounding soils before a larger soil volume can be tapped for moisture. Tree roots grow approximately 18 inches in length annually in most locations. Trees will become established within 1 – 1½ years for each caliper inch of stem. Thus, it takes 2 – 3 years before a 2” tree is established.
Water can be applied with the use of commercially manufactured bags or tubes. TreeDiaper®, Treegator® and Growth Ring® are designed to hold water and release it slowly. They can maintain relatively uniform soil moisture conditions and are especially useful if the soil absorbs water very slowly. Frequency of watering should be reduced and the area to be watered enlarged as the root system grows and expands. Newly planted trees and shrubs should not be irrigated as frequently or with the same amount of water as newly installed turfgrass. Shady spots may not require as much water as sunny areas. Automatic irrigation systems must be monitored continuously and turned off during periods of heavy rainfall. Apply water in the early morning or late evening to avoid quick evaporation that would occur during warmer daylight hours.
Fall Watering
To prevent or reduce the incidence of winter injury (winter browning on conifers in particular), arborists have adopted the practice of thoroughly soaking their woody plants just prior to soil freeze-up. This implies that the critical time for watering is just prior to freeze-up because trees will replace moisture lost via transpiration in winter.
But there are two problems with this long-standing recommendation:
1. In climates with severe winters, it is unlikely that trees would have the opportunity to replace lost moisture
since the soil is frozen from early December until sometime in March.
2. Cold hardiness research has shown slight moisture stress accelerates cold acclimation, and lower tissue water
levels frequently correspond to greater low temperature tolerance. Researchers have demonstrated plant root
tissues actually become more resistant to water uptake and/or translocation during the onset of cold
acclimation.
Sources
Editor's note: Any products mentioned in this article are for information purposes only. This mention does not indicate an endorsement or approval of any product to the exclusion of others.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial Lift Specialist, or BCMA practice 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 Merchant' / 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
The most neglected part of the planting process is an extended commitment to watering during the critical months following planting. Part of the problem lies in the fact that specific recommendations about frequency and amount of water to apply are almost impossible to give, especially for sites where soils have been altered. The arborist overseeing the planting program must adapt the watering recommendations to accommodate for different species and different soils.
Water is essential for the tree to manufacture food. It also acts as a coolant, keeping the tree from overheating on summer days. Water serves as a system for transporting food throughout the tree. The lack of available water reduces the tree’s ability to make food and support normal functions. Symptoms of water stress include wilting and loss of leaves.
The removal of branches at planting for compensatory pruning was a common practice in the past. It was thought that fewer leaves meant less demand for water, leading to better establishment. Recent research has found that the opposite is true, trees establish more quickly without compensatory pruning, provided they are watered frequently.
Watering New Trees
When a tree is planted, the hole should be filled with water halfway through the planting process and again when it is completely planted. The saucer should be filled two more times within 24 hours after planting. Even if it is raining, a thorough watering will eliminate trapped air pockets and reduce transplant shock. After planting, a thorough watering once a week is necessary until the end of the growing season. On extremely hot or windy days, a fine misting of the leaves may be necessary several times a day. Watering may also be necessary during drought periods for a few years after planting. Mulching trees with a 1 – 3 inch (2.5 – 8 cm) thick layer is recommended as it helps reduce evaporation and conserve water.
Frequently irrigated trees and shrubs establish faster than those receiving infrequent irrigation. This seems especially true for container-grown nursery stock. Initially, the best place to check water need is in the root ball or soils in direct contact with roots. Moisture in these relatively small areas will be the primary source of water for the tree until the root system grows into the backfill.
Recent evidence suggests frequent irrigation provides more benefit than applying large volumes of water infrequently. Within two to three days, root balls of newly planted trees will dry to levels that impede root growth. Be sure to gradually increase the area irrigated around the tree to accommodate root growth. This recommendation is in direct contrast to the recommendation for established trees where occasional irrigation with large water volumes is considered better than light, frequent applications.
For trees planted in spring or summer, provide one (in cooler hardiness zones) to three waterings (in warmer hardiness zones) each week during the first few months after planting. Daily irrigation in the warmest hardiness zones provides the quickest establishment. Following the initial few months of frequent irrigation, begin to provide weekly irrigation until trees are fully established. In most landscapes that receive more than 30 inches of rain annually, if the mulch area is maintained weed-free, irrigation does not need to be applied outside of the root ball. Never water if the root ball is saturated.
The maximum size tree should be determined not only by the budget, but also by irrigation capabilities and climate. If irrigation cannot be provided, choose smaller nursery stock to ensure survival. If trees will be irrigated infrequently, only seeds, seedlings, or small saplings of drought tolerant trees should be planted. Small-sized nursery stock has a small crown, so roots come into balance with the tree soon after planting. Once roots come into balance with the top of the tree, they usually grow well with rainfall alone. If trees will be irrigated only until they are established, drought tolerant trees should be chosen, and nursery stock of any size can be planted.
Roots must generate and grow into surrounding soils before a larger soil volume can be tapped for moisture. Tree roots grow approximately 18 inches in length annually in most locations. Trees will become established within 1 – 1½ years for each caliper inch of stem. Thus, it takes 2 – 3 years before a 2” tree is established.
Water can be applied with the use of commercially manufactured bags or tubes. TreeDiaper®, Treegator® and Growth Ring® are designed to hold water and release it slowly. They can maintain relatively uniform soil moisture conditions and are especially useful if the soil absorbs water very slowly. Frequency of watering should be reduced and the area to be watered enlarged as the root system grows and expands. Newly planted trees and shrubs should not be irrigated as frequently or with the same amount of water as newly installed turfgrass. Shady spots may not require as much water as sunny areas. Automatic irrigation systems must be monitored continuously and turned off during periods of heavy rainfall. Apply water in the early morning or late evening to avoid quick evaporation that would occur during warmer daylight hours.
Fall Watering
To prevent or reduce the incidence of winter injury (winter browning on conifers in particular), arborists have adopted the practice of thoroughly soaking their woody plants just prior to soil freeze-up. This implies that the critical time for watering is just prior to freeze-up because trees will replace moisture lost via transpiration in winter.
But there are two problems with this long-standing recommendation:
1. In climates with severe winters, it is unlikely that trees would have the opportunity to replace lost moisture
since the soil is frozen from early December until sometime in March.
2. Cold hardiness research has shown slight moisture stress accelerates cold acclimation, and lower tissue water
levels frequently correspond to greater low temperature tolerance. Researchers have demonstrated plant root
tissues actually become more resistant to water uptake and/or translocation during the onset of cold
acclimation.
Sources
- Barton, Amy J. and Christopher S. Walsh, "Effect Of Transplanting On Water Relations And Canopy Development", Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 18(4), 202-206, 2000.
- Clatterbuck, Wayne K., "Post-Planting Tree Care: Fallacies and Recommendations", Agricultural Extension Service, The University of Tennessee, 2007.
- Fortier, Joseph, "Arbor Irrigation", Arbor Age, Vol. 14, No. 5, p. 43-45, May 1994.
- Gilman, Edward F., "Planting trees in landscapes", Environmental Horticulture Department, IFAS, University of Florida, 2008.
- Gilman, E.F., R.J. Black, and B. Dehgan, “Irrigation volume and frequency and tree size affect establishment rate”, Journal of Arboriculture 24(1):1-9.
- Kozlowski, T.T., “Soil moisture and absorption of water by tree roots”, Journal of Arboriculture 13(2):39-46.
- Pellett, H., R. Hummel, and L. Mainquist, “Relationship of fall watering practice to winter injury of conifers”, Journal of Arboriculture 6(6):146-149, 1980.
- Trowbridge, Peter J. and Nina L. Bassuk, "Trees in the Urban Landscape", John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
- Watson, G. and G. Himelick, “The planting basics”, American Nurseryman 187(10):40-44, 1998.
- TreeDiaper® - Sponsor's website
Editor's note: Any products mentioned in this article are for information purposes only. This mention does not indicate an endorsement or approval of any product to the exclusion of others.
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 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Arial Lift Specialist, or BCMA practice 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 Merchant' / 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.