Seminar #75 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists – July through September 2017
Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below
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.
Tree Planting in 2017
By Len Phillips
The way we should be planting trees in our cities today has changed. Researchers have determined that there are better ways to plant city trees in the typical tree pit of a city sidewalk. Gone is the digging of a 3 x 3 x 2 feet (1x1x0.6 meters) hole between the sidewalk and the street curb or a missing section of sidewalk. Also gone are the above ground stakes to hold the tree from tipping over. Here are the results of the latest research efforts to grow trees in our cities.
The Best Way
The best way to grow trees in the city consists of the use of soil cells or structural soils for ensuring there is enough suitable soil for a tree's roots to grow and develop into a mature healthy specimen. Soil cells transfer a surface suitable for a sidewalk, plaza, or light traffic roadway to a compacted foundation 3 ft. (1 m) below grade while accommodating plenty of ideal soil for growing tree roots in between and within the soil cells. The soil cells also provide stormwater storage which reduces the frequency of manual watering of the newly planted trees. However, soil cells are expensive and are usually reserved for major street and sidewalk reconstruction projects.
A less expensive option to the soil cell would be to install CU Structural Soil which consists of mixing one inch (2.5 cm) stone and soil together and installing this mix into a deep trench, over which will be a new pavement. See more information. The planting pit should be at least 3 feet (1 m) deep and as wide as possible. CU Structural Soil is also reserved for major street and sidewalk reconstruction projects.
The least expensive alternative is to go with the Stockholm Solution. This procedure requires the installation of layers of large rock where any surface pavement will be. The planting pit should also be at least 3 feet (1 m) deep, as wide as possible, and a minimum of 65 cubic yards (50 cubic meters) per tree, to compensate for the lack of soil medium in the mix. The rock is compacted and the specified soil is washed into the voids between the rocks. This process is repeated by adding 10 – 12 inch (26-30 cm) layers of rocks and soil until the entire area that will become paved, is just below the finished grade. In Stockholm, Sweden, this procedure is used for street and sidewalk reconstruction projects as well as for improving the growing conditions around existing trees that are suffering from compacted soil or the lack of sufficient growing area for the roots. This process should not be used where ample, uncompacted soil is available within the tree's future root zone.
After completing any of these options, plant the trees and install root barriers as necessary to deflect roots downward and prevent the tree's roots from causing damage to the surface pavement. The planting should be done before finishing the job with the addition of a new pavement at the surface.
Sidewalk Tree Planting
Before planting a replacement tree in a sidewalk cutout or tree lawn next to the street, consider relocating the planting site to the other side of the sidewalk, away from the curb and street, if the site is suitable and better soil is available. If the tree will be planted on private property, this option may require approval from the city to expend public funds on private property, a local easement, or an agreement with the abutting land owner. In cities where this option is approved, most of the maintenance of the tree is also transferred to the private land owner. See more information
If the tree has to be planted in the sidewalk planting pit, excavate as much soil as possible for the tree planting site, to obtain 500 cu. ft. (14 cu meters) of space for installing good soil, include going as deep as 4 feet (125 cm). If possible, dig a trench for the roots to share the soil among all the trees being planted. If this is not possible, punch, auger, or wash out small diameter holes from the bottom of the planting pit, under the sidewalk, toward good soil, if it is available beyond the sidewalk and let the tree's roots following these holes toward the better soil. After considering these available options, select a tree that is suitable for the amount of soil available. Plant the tree with the specified, healthy soil that is similar in texture to the existing soil around the planting pit. Click here to see more information and scroll down to the section dealing with soil volume.
The Best Choice of Trees
The trees to be selected should be trees that will tolerate heat as global warming continues to harm heat in-tolerant trees.
Become familiar with how to plant bare root trees. They are the least costly to purchase and plant by contract and easiest to plant when using volunteers. Planting trees with bare roots in city soils will not delay their transition to different soils than what they were growing in at the nursery. See more information on planting bare root trees.
Staking
Recent research has indicated that staking a tree can cause more harm to the tree than using root stabilizers. If there is a concern that the lack of a soil ball might cause the tree to blow over or be knocked over by vandals, this is easily remedied with any of several root stabilizing options, such as a tree staple, that are currently available. See more information on root stabilization.
Surface Treatment of the Planting Pit
After the tree is planted and roots are stablized as necessary, the best surface treatment is to consider using one of the two best living mulches. The living mulch is intended to beautify and replace the need for a tree grate or conventional mulch by using plants to provide weed suppression, control of the soil temperature, and a visual means to discourage people from walking close to the tree and causing soil compaction. Living mulches, in conjuntion with a short term wood chip mulch, can reduce water runoff and erosion, and filter surface water runoff for use by the tree. Living mulches have also been shown to increase the population of organisms which enhance the quality of the soil which then benefits the tree.
If this option is not acceptable to the community leaders, the next best option is to go with porus pavement. This is a fully permeable paving product which allows water to freely drain through the surface. The porous pavement's non-skid, 50% rubber content, and 50% stone aggregate surface along with a hard urethane binder ensures good traction even when wet, lessening the chance of slip and fall accidents. In addition, the rubber content allows the product to flex with trunk growth, or with any roots that come to the surface. This flexibility resists cracking and heaving commonly found with concrete sidewalks. The porous and flexible rubber content prevents soil compaction but allows air and surface water penetration, which encourages the tree roots to grow deeply.
Watering the Tree
In this author's opinion the best watering method for the first growing season after planting, is to use the large volume water bags. They are easily and quickly installed and refilled with a garden hose or from a water truck, but take several days to leak the water out and over the rootball before they need to be refilled. Plus they can be reused for a few years.
The amount of water to be applied should follow this chart:
Newly transplanted trees are absorbing water from a diminished rooting area, so apply all the water to the root ball area. Roots must generate and grow into surrounding soils before a larger soil volume can be tapped for moisture. When tree roots have spread into the surrounding soil, they are considered established.
All of the suggestions provided here represent the latest research results for growing trees in our cities. As global warming contines to break worldwide temperature records every year, planting trees in our cities becomes more important and more challenging every year.
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, 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.
By Len Phillips
The way we should be planting trees in our cities today has changed. Researchers have determined that there are better ways to plant city trees in the typical tree pit of a city sidewalk. Gone is the digging of a 3 x 3 x 2 feet (1x1x0.6 meters) hole between the sidewalk and the street curb or a missing section of sidewalk. Also gone are the above ground stakes to hold the tree from tipping over. Here are the results of the latest research efforts to grow trees in our cities.
The Best Way
The best way to grow trees in the city consists of the use of soil cells or structural soils for ensuring there is enough suitable soil for a tree's roots to grow and develop into a mature healthy specimen. Soil cells transfer a surface suitable for a sidewalk, plaza, or light traffic roadway to a compacted foundation 3 ft. (1 m) below grade while accommodating plenty of ideal soil for growing tree roots in between and within the soil cells. The soil cells also provide stormwater storage which reduces the frequency of manual watering of the newly planted trees. However, soil cells are expensive and are usually reserved for major street and sidewalk reconstruction projects.
A less expensive option to the soil cell would be to install CU Structural Soil which consists of mixing one inch (2.5 cm) stone and soil together and installing this mix into a deep trench, over which will be a new pavement. See more information. The planting pit should be at least 3 feet (1 m) deep and as wide as possible. CU Structural Soil is also reserved for major street and sidewalk reconstruction projects.
The least expensive alternative is to go with the Stockholm Solution. This procedure requires the installation of layers of large rock where any surface pavement will be. The planting pit should also be at least 3 feet (1 m) deep, as wide as possible, and a minimum of 65 cubic yards (50 cubic meters) per tree, to compensate for the lack of soil medium in the mix. The rock is compacted and the specified soil is washed into the voids between the rocks. This process is repeated by adding 10 – 12 inch (26-30 cm) layers of rocks and soil until the entire area that will become paved, is just below the finished grade. In Stockholm, Sweden, this procedure is used for street and sidewalk reconstruction projects as well as for improving the growing conditions around existing trees that are suffering from compacted soil or the lack of sufficient growing area for the roots. This process should not be used where ample, uncompacted soil is available within the tree's future root zone.
After completing any of these options, plant the trees and install root barriers as necessary to deflect roots downward and prevent the tree's roots from causing damage to the surface pavement. The planting should be done before finishing the job with the addition of a new pavement at the surface.
Sidewalk Tree Planting
Before planting a replacement tree in a sidewalk cutout or tree lawn next to the street, consider relocating the planting site to the other side of the sidewalk, away from the curb and street, if the site is suitable and better soil is available. If the tree will be planted on private property, this option may require approval from the city to expend public funds on private property, a local easement, or an agreement with the abutting land owner. In cities where this option is approved, most of the maintenance of the tree is also transferred to the private land owner. See more information
If the tree has to be planted in the sidewalk planting pit, excavate as much soil as possible for the tree planting site, to obtain 500 cu. ft. (14 cu meters) of space for installing good soil, include going as deep as 4 feet (125 cm). If possible, dig a trench for the roots to share the soil among all the trees being planted. If this is not possible, punch, auger, or wash out small diameter holes from the bottom of the planting pit, under the sidewalk, toward good soil, if it is available beyond the sidewalk and let the tree's roots following these holes toward the better soil. After considering these available options, select a tree that is suitable for the amount of soil available. Plant the tree with the specified, healthy soil that is similar in texture to the existing soil around the planting pit. Click here to see more information and scroll down to the section dealing with soil volume.
The Best Choice of Trees
The trees to be selected should be trees that will tolerate heat as global warming continues to harm heat in-tolerant trees.
Become familiar with how to plant bare root trees. They are the least costly to purchase and plant by contract and easiest to plant when using volunteers. Planting trees with bare roots in city soils will not delay their transition to different soils than what they were growing in at the nursery. See more information on planting bare root trees.
Staking
Recent research has indicated that staking a tree can cause more harm to the tree than using root stabilizers. If there is a concern that the lack of a soil ball might cause the tree to blow over or be knocked over by vandals, this is easily remedied with any of several root stabilizing options, such as a tree staple, that are currently available. See more information on root stabilization.
Surface Treatment of the Planting Pit
After the tree is planted and roots are stablized as necessary, the best surface treatment is to consider using one of the two best living mulches. The living mulch is intended to beautify and replace the need for a tree grate or conventional mulch by using plants to provide weed suppression, control of the soil temperature, and a visual means to discourage people from walking close to the tree and causing soil compaction. Living mulches, in conjuntion with a short term wood chip mulch, can reduce water runoff and erosion, and filter surface water runoff for use by the tree. Living mulches have also been shown to increase the population of organisms which enhance the quality of the soil which then benefits the tree.
If this option is not acceptable to the community leaders, the next best option is to go with porus pavement. This is a fully permeable paving product which allows water to freely drain through the surface. The porous pavement's non-skid, 50% rubber content, and 50% stone aggregate surface along with a hard urethane binder ensures good traction even when wet, lessening the chance of slip and fall accidents. In addition, the rubber content allows the product to flex with trunk growth, or with any roots that come to the surface. This flexibility resists cracking and heaving commonly found with concrete sidewalks. The porous and flexible rubber content prevents soil compaction but allows air and surface water penetration, which encourages the tree roots to grow deeply.
Watering the Tree
In this author's opinion the best watering method for the first growing season after planting, is to use the large volume water bags. They are easily and quickly installed and refilled with a garden hose or from a water truck, but take several days to leak the water out and over the rootball before they need to be refilled. Plus they can be reused for a few years.
The amount of water to be applied should follow this chart:
- daily watering for the first one to two weeks, applying approximately 1.5 gallons per caliper inch (1.5 liters per caliper centimeter) per watering.
- after two weeks, water the trees every two to three days for the next two or three months, with approximately 1.5 gallons per caliper inch (1.5 liters per caliper cm).
- after 2-3 months, weekly watering is necessary for the remainder of the season or until the tree is established.
- after the first year, if watering is necessary, it should be 1 gallon of water per inch of caliper (1 liter per caliper centimeter). This equates to 1 inch of rainfall per week.
Newly transplanted trees are absorbing water from a diminished rooting area, so apply all the water to the root ball area. Roots must generate and grow into surrounding soils before a larger soil volume can be tapped for moisture. When tree roots have spread into the surrounding soil, they are considered established.
All of the suggestions provided here represent the latest research results for growing trees in our cities. As global warming contines to break worldwide temperature records every year, planting trees in our cities becomes more important and more challenging every year.
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, 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.
Healthy Forest Air
Edited by Len Phillips
A walk into the forest quickly makes a person realize the air is much cleaner and fresher smelling. But is it healthy? According to researchers, the leaves and needles of trees catch large and small particles of dust, pollen and other air pollutants as they float by, so forest air is better.
Trapping Pollutants
One square mile of forest can trap 20,000 tons of particles in the air per year. In that same square mile, trees release about 29 tons of oxygen into the air every day in the summer. The pollutants include soot, pollen, and wind blown dust. Also in the air are acids, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen compounds which are also trapped by the trichomes or hairs on the surface of a tree's leaves. The trichomes capture dust particles where they remain until the dust is washed off the leaf by rain.
The pollutants trapped by city trees is much greater per tree because they are closer to the sources of the pollutants. A second reason for the greater trapping by city trees is because there are fewer trees per square mile than a square mile of forest trees.
Tree Releases
The leaves from the trees in the forest release scents and phytonicides which are essential oils used to defend against insects, animals, and decomposition which all make the forest air fresh and pleasant. Phytonicides have a beneficial effect on our immune systems as well as the tree's health, because they kill germs.
Health Benefits
The conifers use their needles to trap and reduce germs and allergens that are airborne. However, conifer forests will raise a person's blood pressure compared to the same person walking through a deciduous forest. Some Korean scientists discovered that women walking in the forest will have their blood pressure, lung capacity, and the elasticity of their arteries improved, compared to these measurements taken during a shopping expedition in the heart of the city.
Trees in the urban environment have been proven to promote better health for the residents who live near these trees. A perfect example of this occurred after the tree pest, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) killed thousands and thousands of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees throughout the US Midwestern states. Soon after this happened, there was a noticeable increase in the declining health and an abnormal spike in deaths of residents living where trees had disappeared. As the tree populations visibly declined in health, and potentially died, a very similar impact was “felt” by the local residents.
Researchers suggested that the media coverage of the ash borer’s presence resulting in the loss of trees, induced stress in some individuals, and this stress impacted health issues. A study was conducted to look at whether the lack of trees caused by the presence of emerald ash borer had any affect on the rate of human mortality caused by cardiovascular and lower-respiratory-tract issues. The researchers looked at the presence of the beetle and how long it had existed in a location, to determine the mortality rates associated with the two causes of death just mentioned. The data also indicated that the presence of the beetle had a more significant impact upon respiratory-related mortality rates in wealthier locations where there was a greater access to ash trees, compared to poorer locations where there were fewer neighborhood trees. This study highlighted the emotional relationship people have with trees. The researchers were able to relate the approximate number of ash trees in the states to the demographic data obtained from census and death records to determine the following results.
The respiratory-related deaths were approximately 40% lower than cardiovascular-related deaths. Therefore, enriching cardiovascular health may likely be more significant. There is going to be a leveling-off period, where no more ash trees exist and therefore the mortality rate cannot suffer any further. During this period, re-planting may occur, and offset some adverse impacts associated with ash mortality. Because these new trees will take time to mature, it may be many decades before health impacts begin to markedly reverse.
There is no question that such data is indeed very interesting, and the results do not necessarily remain limited to the emerald ash borer. Other socio-demographic issues may also be implicated in this equation, such as the highest level of education an individual has. Similarly, the reduction of ecosystem services (pollution removal, encouragement to exercise outdoors, and so on) associated with the death of ash trees may have an impact upon respiratory and cardiovascular health, and this impact will be most pronounced where the most trees have been lost, which is (in this case) in the more affluent areas.
Value of Trees
As the above paragraphs have clearly indicated, trees do have value in terms of retarding threats to human life. Once seen as highly problematic for many reasons, street trees are proving to be a great value to people living, working, shopping, sharing, walking and motoring in and through urban places.
For a planting cost of $250 – $600 (including the first 3 years of maintenance) a single street tree returns over $90,000 of direct benefits (not including aesthetic, social, and natural benefits) in the lifetime of the tree. Street trees, generally planted from 4 feet to 8 feet (1½ – 2 m) from the curb provide many benefits to the streets where they are growing. These trees provide so many benefits that they should always be considered an essential element in the city.
Positive Environmental Impacts
With new attentions being paid to global warming causes and impacts, more information is becoming known about negative environmental impacts of treeless urban streets. Studies are well on the way to recognizing the need for urban street trees to be a requirement of preferred urban design, rather than luxury items tolerated by traffic engineering and budget conscious city administrators.
The many identified problems of street trees are overcome with care by arborists and urban foresters. Generally street trees are placed every 15 – 30 feet along the street. These trees are carefully positioned to allow adequate clear sight distance triangles at intersections and driveways, to not block street luminaries, and to not impact utility lines above or below ground. Street trees of various varieties are used in all climates, including high altitude, semi-arid and even arid urban places.
With all the benefits these trees are providing, perhaps the planting space should be reduced to every 10 – 20 feet apart. Although care and maintenance of trees in urban places is a costly task, the value in returned benefits is so great that a sustainable community cannot be imagined without these important green features.
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, 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
A walk into the forest quickly makes a person realize the air is much cleaner and fresher smelling. But is it healthy? According to researchers, the leaves and needles of trees catch large and small particles of dust, pollen and other air pollutants as they float by, so forest air is better.
Trapping Pollutants
One square mile of forest can trap 20,000 tons of particles in the air per year. In that same square mile, trees release about 29 tons of oxygen into the air every day in the summer. The pollutants include soot, pollen, and wind blown dust. Also in the air are acids, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen compounds which are also trapped by the trichomes or hairs on the surface of a tree's leaves. The trichomes capture dust particles where they remain until the dust is washed off the leaf by rain.
The pollutants trapped by city trees is much greater per tree because they are closer to the sources of the pollutants. A second reason for the greater trapping by city trees is because there are fewer trees per square mile than a square mile of forest trees.
Tree Releases
The leaves from the trees in the forest release scents and phytonicides which are essential oils used to defend against insects, animals, and decomposition which all make the forest air fresh and pleasant. Phytonicides have a beneficial effect on our immune systems as well as the tree's health, because they kill germs.
Health Benefits
The conifers use their needles to trap and reduce germs and allergens that are airborne. However, conifer forests will raise a person's blood pressure compared to the same person walking through a deciduous forest. Some Korean scientists discovered that women walking in the forest will have their blood pressure, lung capacity, and the elasticity of their arteries improved, compared to these measurements taken during a shopping expedition in the heart of the city.
Trees in the urban environment have been proven to promote better health for the residents who live near these trees. A perfect example of this occurred after the tree pest, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) killed thousands and thousands of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees throughout the US Midwestern states. Soon after this happened, there was a noticeable increase in the declining health and an abnormal spike in deaths of residents living where trees had disappeared. As the tree populations visibly declined in health, and potentially died, a very similar impact was “felt” by the local residents.
Researchers suggested that the media coverage of the ash borer’s presence resulting in the loss of trees, induced stress in some individuals, and this stress impacted health issues. A study was conducted to look at whether the lack of trees caused by the presence of emerald ash borer had any affect on the rate of human mortality caused by cardiovascular and lower-respiratory-tract issues. The researchers looked at the presence of the beetle and how long it had existed in a location, to determine the mortality rates associated with the two causes of death just mentioned. The data also indicated that the presence of the beetle had a more significant impact upon respiratory-related mortality rates in wealthier locations where there was a greater access to ash trees, compared to poorer locations where there were fewer neighborhood trees. This study highlighted the emotional relationship people have with trees. The researchers were able to relate the approximate number of ash trees in the states to the demographic data obtained from census and death records to determine the following results.
- Respiratory Issues -- The data from the Midwestern states revealed that there were 6.8 more deaths caused by lower-respiratory-tract issues per 100,000 individuals than prior to the location’s date of infestation. In addition, the areas that were infested for a longer period of time experienced a higher average mortality rate than those areas more recently infected. However, the fact that there is an anticipated 2 – 5 year lag associated with beetle presence and human mortality rates, the real effects of the lack of trees due to the ash borer upon human health may not yet be fully documented.
- Cardiovascular Issues – The observed impacts upon cardiovascular-related mortality rates per 100,000 individuals was 16.7 deaths per 100,000 attributed to the pest’s presence and hence, the absence of trees. Therefore, 15,080 deaths can be directly linked to the effects of the sudden loss of trees, between 2002 – 2007. It was also found that individuals in counties with moderate levels of average income were most markedly affected.
The respiratory-related deaths were approximately 40% lower than cardiovascular-related deaths. Therefore, enriching cardiovascular health may likely be more significant. There is going to be a leveling-off period, where no more ash trees exist and therefore the mortality rate cannot suffer any further. During this period, re-planting may occur, and offset some adverse impacts associated with ash mortality. Because these new trees will take time to mature, it may be many decades before health impacts begin to markedly reverse.
There is no question that such data is indeed very interesting, and the results do not necessarily remain limited to the emerald ash borer. Other socio-demographic issues may also be implicated in this equation, such as the highest level of education an individual has. Similarly, the reduction of ecosystem services (pollution removal, encouragement to exercise outdoors, and so on) associated with the death of ash trees may have an impact upon respiratory and cardiovascular health, and this impact will be most pronounced where the most trees have been lost, which is (in this case) in the more affluent areas.
Value of Trees
As the above paragraphs have clearly indicated, trees do have value in terms of retarding threats to human life. Once seen as highly problematic for many reasons, street trees are proving to be a great value to people living, working, shopping, sharing, walking and motoring in and through urban places.
For a planting cost of $250 – $600 (including the first 3 years of maintenance) a single street tree returns over $90,000 of direct benefits (not including aesthetic, social, and natural benefits) in the lifetime of the tree. Street trees, generally planted from 4 feet to 8 feet (1½ – 2 m) from the curb provide many benefits to the streets where they are growing. These trees provide so many benefits that they should always be considered an essential element in the city.
Positive Environmental Impacts
With new attentions being paid to global warming causes and impacts, more information is becoming known about negative environmental impacts of treeless urban streets. Studies are well on the way to recognizing the need for urban street trees to be a requirement of preferred urban design, rather than luxury items tolerated by traffic engineering and budget conscious city administrators.
The many identified problems of street trees are overcome with care by arborists and urban foresters. Generally street trees are placed every 15 – 30 feet along the street. These trees are carefully positioned to allow adequate clear sight distance triangles at intersections and driveways, to not block street luminaries, and to not impact utility lines above or below ground. Street trees of various varieties are used in all climates, including high altitude, semi-arid and even arid urban places.
With all the benefits these trees are providing, perhaps the planting space should be reduced to every 10 – 20 feet apart. Although care and maintenance of trees in urban places is a costly task, the value in returned benefits is so great that a sustainable community cannot be imagined without these important green features.
Sources:
- Donovan, G., Butry, D., Michael, Y., Prestemon, J., Liebhold, A., Gatziolis, D., & Mao, M. “The relationship between trees and human health: evidence from the spread of the emerald ash borer”, American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 44 (2). p139-145. 2013.
- Wohlleben, Peter, “The Hidden Life of Trees”, Greystone Books, 2015.
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, 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.
Tree of the Seminar
By Len Phillips
White Shield Osage Orange is a cultivar from a tough Midwest native and it is an ideal tree for hot, dry landscapes. White Shield Osage Orange is suited for city living and has an upright rounded form that is ideal for street tree plantings.
Trade Name: White Shield Osage Orange
Botanical Name: Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’
Family: Moraceae
Zone: 5 – 9
Parentage: Native species
Height: 35’ – 40'
Spread: 35’ – 40'
Growth Rate: Moderate 12 inches per year
Form: Upright spreading, rounded
Flower: Inconspicuous flowers in June
Fruit: Fruitless
Summer Foliage: Glossy dark green, serrated leaves
Fall Color: Yellow
Bark: Thorn-less, dark orange-brown with irregular fissures
Habitat: Southern Midwest states
Culture: Tolerates most soil, does well in full sun, heat and is a drought tolerant tree
Pest Resistance: Free of major pest problems
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Planting: Transplants readily
Pruning: Seldom needs pruning Propagating: Hardwood cuttings
Design Uses: Excellent for naturalizing
Companions: Best with shade loving groundcovers and with native hophornbeams
Site Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Other Comments: Ideal for naturalizing landscapes
Photo
Both fruitless and thorn-less, this tough Midwest native was found in western Oklahoma by plantsman Steve Bieberich. It is the most thorn-less of the Osage Orange cultivars, and has remarkably dark green, glossy foliage.
Sources: This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6 and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 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, 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.
By Len Phillips
White Shield Osage Orange is a cultivar from a tough Midwest native and it is an ideal tree for hot, dry landscapes. White Shield Osage Orange is suited for city living and has an upright rounded form that is ideal for street tree plantings.
Trade Name: White Shield Osage Orange
Botanical Name: Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’
Family: Moraceae
Zone: 5 – 9
Parentage: Native species
Height: 35’ – 40'
Spread: 35’ – 40'
Growth Rate: Moderate 12 inches per year
Form: Upright spreading, rounded
Flower: Inconspicuous flowers in June
Fruit: Fruitless
Summer Foliage: Glossy dark green, serrated leaves
Fall Color: Yellow
Bark: Thorn-less, dark orange-brown with irregular fissures
Habitat: Southern Midwest states
Culture: Tolerates most soil, does well in full sun, heat and is a drought tolerant tree
Pest Resistance: Free of major pest problems
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Planting: Transplants readily
Pruning: Seldom needs pruning Propagating: Hardwood cuttings
Design Uses: Excellent for naturalizing
Companions: Best with shade loving groundcovers and with native hophornbeams
Site Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Other Comments: Ideal for naturalizing landscapes
Photo
Both fruitless and thorn-less, this tough Midwest native was found in western Oklahoma by plantsman Steve Bieberich. It is the most thorn-less of the Osage Orange cultivars, and has remarkably dark green, glossy foliage.
Sources: This information has been gathered from personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6 and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 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, 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.
Case Study
Kensico Dam Plaza
Edited by Len Phillips and Richard Gibney
The Kensico Dam Plaza is a 20-acre part of the 98 acre Kensico Reservoir property. The Plaza is located at the base of the Kensico Dam. The reservoir is located in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York, in the Catskill Mountains, 15 miles north of New York City. The dam was built on the site of an old earth and gravel dam built in 1885, which impounded the Bronx and Byram Rivers to supply water for the residents of New York City. The construction of a new masonry dam in 1915, replaced the old dam, and expanded the water supply. The dam was completed in 1917. It is 307 feet high and 1,843 feet long, and forms the Kensico reservoir. The entire property was acquired as parkland in 1963 from the New York City Watershed Commission and remains the property of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Bronx River Parkway Reservation.
In 2005 the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commenced a $31.4 million project to rehabilitate the Kensico Dam infrastructure. The rehabilitation project included new tree planting, reconstructing portions of the dam, the spillway, stone masonry surfaces, and reconstructing the dam’s downstream Plaza, which included beautification, regrading, and landscaping.
The Kensico Dam Plaza, enhanced by the northeast native trees planted (see photo) at the base of the dam including White Oak, Hop Hornbeam, American Hornbeam and Hackberry. It provides a unique setting for a wide variety of public amenities and activities including ethnic celebrations, concerts, shows including arts and craft shows, as well as areas for picnicking, playgrounds, in-line skating, walking trails, and nature study. This is the start of the bike and jogging trail that winds along the Bronx River Parkway. Also on the plaza is “The Rising”, Westchester's monument to the county residents who perished in the World Trade Center on 9/11. The City occasionally has movies on a large screen in the summertime. The 4th of July fireworks are here along with a lot of festivals such as the annual “Best of Westchester” celebration.
Landscape Work on the Plaza
However, all of this activity was likely to have a major detrimental effect on the existing and proposed tree plantings. With this concern in mind the landscape work on the Plaza began in 2006 and involved the installation of granite posts and pipe railings, (see photo) seating areas with benches, and four brick plazas totaling about 15,000 sq. ft. including 42 new trees. About 5 acres of lawn was renovated. The brick pavement area is used for vendors and flea market type fairs in the summer requiring solid paving. The landscape architect specified excavation of the entire area between 2 – 3’ deep and replacement of the soil with CU-Structural Soil® for the trees that were to be planted throughout the entire Plaza.
The CU-Structural Soil® was intended to provide a stable soil for root growth while allowing for the compaction necessary for the brick pavement area. This soil treatment is expected to last for the entire life expectancy of the trees. The CU soil was selected so the trees would have a suitable medium for root growth while the surface could be paved and used for the wide variety of park and community activities that occur at the Plaza. The CU Soil mixture contained crushed stone and soil with a small amount of a hydrogel to prevent the soil and stone from separating during the mixing and installation process (see photo). The stone was crushed to approximately one inch in diameter, with no fine particles, and to provide a large void space. The specified soil was a loam to clay loam mix containing at least 20% clay to maximize water and nutrient holding capacity. The proportion of soil to stone was approximately 80% stone to 20% soil by dry weight, with a small amount of hydrogel aiding in the uniform blending of the two materials. This proportion insured that each stone touched another stone, creating a rigid skeleton, while the soil almost filled the large pore spaces that were created by the stone. This way, when compacted, any load on the plaza surface was carried from stone to stone, while the soil in between the stones remained uncompacted and acceptable for tree root growth. The entire installation process was overseen by Cornell University and its licensed representatives to be sure the process was done correctly and in the best interest of the newly planted trees.
The installation process for the CU-Structural Soil® required the stone, coated with hydrogel and mixed with the soil, installed in layers that was compacted after each layer was added. This process continued to the final grade just before a layer of stone dust was applied. After the CU-Structural Soil® was installed, the new trees were planted with regular soil immediately around the root balls and the clay brick pavers were set with no mortar joints on stone dust over the CU-Structural Soil®. This allowed water to infiltrate into the CU-Structural Soil®, so no automatic irrigation was necessary.
Tree Planting
The trees that were planted were all New England natives (see photo) including White Oak (Quercus alba), Red Oak (Quercus rubra), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Many of the existing trees surrounding the plaza were evaluated for hazard tree mitigation as a part of the rehabilitation project.
Kensico Dam Plaza rehabilitation project was completed in 2007 in time for the New York State Summer Empire State Games (mini-Olympics in NYS). A new electrical system upgrade added permanent park lighting in 2014, so Kensico Dam Plaza is now open after dark. Today, the park provides a unique setting for a wide variety of activities including cultural heritage celebrations and concerts, fitness classes and a fitness course, as well as areas for picnicking, a renovated playground with safety surfaces, in-line skating, widened walking and nature study trails, and opportunities to study nature and the trees. All of the newly planted trees are likely to survive the plaza environment and live for a normal lifespan.
Editor's Note: CU-Structural Soil® continues to be a cost effective product for growing trees in harmony with paved surfaces.
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, 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.
Kensico Dam Plaza
Edited by Len Phillips and Richard Gibney
The Kensico Dam Plaza is a 20-acre part of the 98 acre Kensico Reservoir property. The Plaza is located at the base of the Kensico Dam. The reservoir is located in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York, in the Catskill Mountains, 15 miles north of New York City. The dam was built on the site of an old earth and gravel dam built in 1885, which impounded the Bronx and Byram Rivers to supply water for the residents of New York City. The construction of a new masonry dam in 1915, replaced the old dam, and expanded the water supply. The dam was completed in 1917. It is 307 feet high and 1,843 feet long, and forms the Kensico reservoir. The entire property was acquired as parkland in 1963 from the New York City Watershed Commission and remains the property of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Bronx River Parkway Reservation.
In 2005 the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commenced a $31.4 million project to rehabilitate the Kensico Dam infrastructure. The rehabilitation project included new tree planting, reconstructing portions of the dam, the spillway, stone masonry surfaces, and reconstructing the dam’s downstream Plaza, which included beautification, regrading, and landscaping.
The Kensico Dam Plaza, enhanced by the northeast native trees planted (see photo) at the base of the dam including White Oak, Hop Hornbeam, American Hornbeam and Hackberry. It provides a unique setting for a wide variety of public amenities and activities including ethnic celebrations, concerts, shows including arts and craft shows, as well as areas for picnicking, playgrounds, in-line skating, walking trails, and nature study. This is the start of the bike and jogging trail that winds along the Bronx River Parkway. Also on the plaza is “The Rising”, Westchester's monument to the county residents who perished in the World Trade Center on 9/11. The City occasionally has movies on a large screen in the summertime. The 4th of July fireworks are here along with a lot of festivals such as the annual “Best of Westchester” celebration.
Landscape Work on the Plaza
However, all of this activity was likely to have a major detrimental effect on the existing and proposed tree plantings. With this concern in mind the landscape work on the Plaza began in 2006 and involved the installation of granite posts and pipe railings, (see photo) seating areas with benches, and four brick plazas totaling about 15,000 sq. ft. including 42 new trees. About 5 acres of lawn was renovated. The brick pavement area is used for vendors and flea market type fairs in the summer requiring solid paving. The landscape architect specified excavation of the entire area between 2 – 3’ deep and replacement of the soil with CU-Structural Soil® for the trees that were to be planted throughout the entire Plaza.
The CU-Structural Soil® was intended to provide a stable soil for root growth while allowing for the compaction necessary for the brick pavement area. This soil treatment is expected to last for the entire life expectancy of the trees. The CU soil was selected so the trees would have a suitable medium for root growth while the surface could be paved and used for the wide variety of park and community activities that occur at the Plaza. The CU Soil mixture contained crushed stone and soil with a small amount of a hydrogel to prevent the soil and stone from separating during the mixing and installation process (see photo). The stone was crushed to approximately one inch in diameter, with no fine particles, and to provide a large void space. The specified soil was a loam to clay loam mix containing at least 20% clay to maximize water and nutrient holding capacity. The proportion of soil to stone was approximately 80% stone to 20% soil by dry weight, with a small amount of hydrogel aiding in the uniform blending of the two materials. This proportion insured that each stone touched another stone, creating a rigid skeleton, while the soil almost filled the large pore spaces that were created by the stone. This way, when compacted, any load on the plaza surface was carried from stone to stone, while the soil in between the stones remained uncompacted and acceptable for tree root growth. The entire installation process was overseen by Cornell University and its licensed representatives to be sure the process was done correctly and in the best interest of the newly planted trees.
The installation process for the CU-Structural Soil® required the stone, coated with hydrogel and mixed with the soil, installed in layers that was compacted after each layer was added. This process continued to the final grade just before a layer of stone dust was applied. After the CU-Structural Soil® was installed, the new trees were planted with regular soil immediately around the root balls and the clay brick pavers were set with no mortar joints on stone dust over the CU-Structural Soil®. This allowed water to infiltrate into the CU-Structural Soil®, so no automatic irrigation was necessary.
Tree Planting
The trees that were planted were all New England natives (see photo) including White Oak (Quercus alba), Red Oak (Quercus rubra), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Many of the existing trees surrounding the plaza were evaluated for hazard tree mitigation as a part of the rehabilitation project.
Kensico Dam Plaza rehabilitation project was completed in 2007 in time for the New York State Summer Empire State Games (mini-Olympics in NYS). A new electrical system upgrade added permanent park lighting in 2014, so Kensico Dam Plaza is now open after dark. Today, the park provides a unique setting for a wide variety of activities including cultural heritage celebrations and concerts, fitness classes and a fitness course, as well as areas for picnicking, a renovated playground with safety surfaces, in-line skating, widened walking and nature study trails, and opportunities to study nature and the trees. All of the newly planted trees are likely to survive the plaza environment and live for a normal lifespan.
Editor's Note: CU-Structural Soil® continues to be a cost effective product for growing trees in harmony with paved surfaces.
Sources:
- Amereq, Inc.
- CU-Structural Soil® installation instructions and photos.
- Westchester County Parks Robert P. Astorino, Westchester County Executive
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, 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.
Marijuana in the Work-place
Edited by Len Phillips
You are an employer and you have to deal with employees who feel they can come to work after having marijuana at breakfast. After all, it is legal in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Nine of these have also legalized recreational use of the drug. But do you want those employees climbing trees, operating chain saws, and feeding chippers with impaired judgment?
Many employers are uncertain of the parameters regarding the enforcement of a drug-free work-place policy. According to a comprehensive report published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Cannabis, commonly called marijuana, contains chemicals called cannabinoids, including cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinolidic acids, cannabigerol, cannabichromene, and several isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Studies have found there is a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability. This report also mentioned a 2014 study that found marijuana was the most frequently found drug in the blood of drivers who had been involved in accidents, including fatal ones. A good policy for no drugs in the work-place is essential.
If you employ workers, you likely have an awareness of the potential liabilities and risks associated with on-the-job impairment from any substance whether it is legal, illegal, prescription, or non-prescription. So, what do you do?
Drug Enforcement Policy
You must adopt and enforce a drug-free work-place policy that prohibits employees from reporting to work impaired because of marijuana use. You must require employees to submit to reasonable drug testing and be subject to termination for a positive drug test. This also includes those who have a legal “medical referral”.
This is permissible because under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I narcotic with high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. As such, even in states that have decriminalized medical marijuana use, federal law prohibits doctors from writing prescriptions for marijuana. Instead of prescriptions, doctors issue “referrals” or “certifications” for the drug. If a job applicant or current employee with a referral for marijuana tests positive because of the Schedule I classification, it is still a positive drug tests and will be reported as “positive” and the employer is free to terminate the person based on this test result.
However, if you elect to adopt a drug-free work-place, without exceptions for medical marijuana, this should be clearly communicated to your employees. One of the best ways to do this write in the employee handbook, work contract, job description, or a posting on the bulletin board, a clause that reads: “If an applicant or employee with a legal referral for marijuana for the treatment of a medical condition, tests positive based on the substance limits for the drug test, it will be reported by the lab as a “positive drug test” and will be treated in accordance with all other positive drug tests. There are no exceptions for applicants or employees with legal referrals for marijuana.”
If you are in one of the states that has legalized recreational use of marijuana, your drug-free work-place policy should also include a clause that reads: “There are also no exceptions for applicants or employees who test positive for marijuana, even though it has been legalized in this state.
Some marijuana laws include provisions that require employers to accommodate users of medical marijuana because of a medical condition that justifies its use. However, most of these laws do not require accommodation while the employee is on duty or reports to work in an impaired condition.
As you work through the conflicting state and federal regulations, regarding the use of marijuana, one thing is clear; significant risks exist. Ignore them at your own risk.
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, 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
You are an employer and you have to deal with employees who feel they can come to work after having marijuana at breakfast. After all, it is legal in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Nine of these have also legalized recreational use of the drug. But do you want those employees climbing trees, operating chain saws, and feeding chippers with impaired judgment?
Many employers are uncertain of the parameters regarding the enforcement of a drug-free work-place policy. According to a comprehensive report published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Cannabis, commonly called marijuana, contains chemicals called cannabinoids, including cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinolidic acids, cannabigerol, cannabichromene, and several isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Studies have found there is a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability. This report also mentioned a 2014 study that found marijuana was the most frequently found drug in the blood of drivers who had been involved in accidents, including fatal ones. A good policy for no drugs in the work-place is essential.
If you employ workers, you likely have an awareness of the potential liabilities and risks associated with on-the-job impairment from any substance whether it is legal, illegal, prescription, or non-prescription. So, what do you do?
Drug Enforcement Policy
You must adopt and enforce a drug-free work-place policy that prohibits employees from reporting to work impaired because of marijuana use. You must require employees to submit to reasonable drug testing and be subject to termination for a positive drug test. This also includes those who have a legal “medical referral”.
This is permissible because under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I narcotic with high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. As such, even in states that have decriminalized medical marijuana use, federal law prohibits doctors from writing prescriptions for marijuana. Instead of prescriptions, doctors issue “referrals” or “certifications” for the drug. If a job applicant or current employee with a referral for marijuana tests positive because of the Schedule I classification, it is still a positive drug tests and will be reported as “positive” and the employer is free to terminate the person based on this test result.
However, if you elect to adopt a drug-free work-place, without exceptions for medical marijuana, this should be clearly communicated to your employees. One of the best ways to do this write in the employee handbook, work contract, job description, or a posting on the bulletin board, a clause that reads: “If an applicant or employee with a legal referral for marijuana for the treatment of a medical condition, tests positive based on the substance limits for the drug test, it will be reported by the lab as a “positive drug test” and will be treated in accordance with all other positive drug tests. There are no exceptions for applicants or employees with legal referrals for marijuana.”
If you are in one of the states that has legalized recreational use of marijuana, your drug-free work-place policy should also include a clause that reads: “There are also no exceptions for applicants or employees who test positive for marijuana, even though it has been legalized in this state.
Some marijuana laws include provisions that require employers to accommodate users of medical marijuana because of a medical condition that justifies its use. However, most of these laws do not require accommodation while the employee is on duty or reports to work in an impaired condition.
As you work through the conflicting state and federal regulations, regarding the use of marijuana, one thing is clear; significant risks exist. Ignore them at your own risk.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,”Cannabis”, Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets, March 2004.
- Seawright, Jean L,. “Weed at Work”, Nursery Management, pg. 24, February 2017.
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, 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.
Trees with Tales
By Len Phillips
The Sugar Maple
The sugar maple, Acer saccharum, is one of my most-loved trees, and not just because of its beauty, shade production, and spectacular autumn color, but for my favorite breakfast of pancakes covered with maple syrup.
Maple Syrup
I believe the sugar maple is one of the most important trees in the United States and Canada because it is the major source of sap for making maple products including syrup and maple sugar. In maple syrup production, the sap is extracted from the tree by using a tap placed into a hole drilled through the phloem, just under the bark layer. The sap is collected from the outside end of the tap and then boiled to evaporate most of the water and the syrup is left behind. Approximately 20 to 50 gallons (70 to 180 liters) of maple sap will boil down to produce 1 gallon (4 l.) of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Continuing to boil the syrup until almost all of the water is evaporated will result in maple sugar. If you ever have an opportunity to visit a sugar shack during the spring sugaring season, stop inside and smell of the sweet maple vapors coming off the boiling sap.
History
The Mohegan Indians tapped the trees for their sweet syrup and used the sugar for bartering. Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and Canada. The Mohegan Indians also used the maple's inner bark as a cough remedy and the sap as a sweetening agent.
My grandparents often mentioned how the sugar maple was a favorite city and park tree during the 19th century because it was easy to propagate, transplant, and grow. It was fairly fast-growing, and had beautiful fall color. However, this has changed because the tree is generally intolerant of the acid rain, the soil acidification, the soil compaction, the road salt, and the pollution that today's world has contributed. Until the 20th century, it ranked as an excellent city street tree. However, it now has proved to be too delicate to continue in that role since the rise of road salt, industry, and automobile-induced pollution.
Not only was the sugar maple an excellent shade tree, a depiction of the leaf is the national symbol on the Canadian flag. The sugar maple is also the state tree of New York, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. It was depicted on the state quarter of Vermont, issued in 2001.
Range
Acer saccharum, also called rock maple and hard maple, is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada, from Nova Scotia west through Quebec and southern Ontario to southeastern Manitoba around Lake of the Woods, and the northern parts of the central and eastern U.S. from Minnesota eastward to the highlands of the eastern states. When I was young and wandered the trails in the Adirondack Mountains, I was able to observe how this tree is a main component of the eastern U.S. hardwood forest and is one of the trees which is most responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color.
Features
Sugar maples are long-lived trees which grow relatively slowly although somewhat faster in the first 35 years. They grow to 40-80 feet (12-25 m) tall, sometimes to 100 feet (30 m) high and 30-60 feet (9-18 m) wide. When healthy, the sugar maple can live for over 400 years. There are no serious insect or disease problems although it is susceptible to minor attacks of verticillium wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spot, and tar spot. Sugar maples are also susceptible to aphids, borers, and scale. Leaf scorch may be a problem in drought conditions. Most of these current insect and disease problems have been brought on by air pollution and poor soil conditions that is weakening the maples.
Acer saccharum has deciduous, medium green leaves that are 3-6 in. (7-15 cm) long and wide with 3-5 palmate lobes. The basal lobes are relatively small, while the upper lobes are larger and deeply notched. In autumn, they turn from bright yellow through orange to fluorescent red-orange, sometimes with considerable color variations. They look their best in the northern part of their range.
This tree is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained sandy or loamy soil in full sun to part shade. It does best in fertile, slightly acidic, moist soils in full sun. The preferred hardiness zone is 3 to 8 and the heat zone is 8 to 1.
The flowers are in panicles of 5 to 10 together, yellow-green, and without petals. Flowering occurs in early spring, after 30 – 55 growing degree days. The sugar maple will generally begin flowering when it is between 10 and 15 years old. The fruit is a pair of samaras.
If you ever travel in New England, be sure to stop at a local general store and pick up a bottle of maple syrup and a box of maple sugar candy that you can share with your best friend.
Appreciate the maple tree not only for its autumn beauty but also for the sweet syrup on your morning pancakes.
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, 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.
By Len Phillips
The Sugar Maple
The sugar maple, Acer saccharum, is one of my most-loved trees, and not just because of its beauty, shade production, and spectacular autumn color, but for my favorite breakfast of pancakes covered with maple syrup.
Maple Syrup
I believe the sugar maple is one of the most important trees in the United States and Canada because it is the major source of sap for making maple products including syrup and maple sugar. In maple syrup production, the sap is extracted from the tree by using a tap placed into a hole drilled through the phloem, just under the bark layer. The sap is collected from the outside end of the tap and then boiled to evaporate most of the water and the syrup is left behind. Approximately 20 to 50 gallons (70 to 180 liters) of maple sap will boil down to produce 1 gallon (4 l.) of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Continuing to boil the syrup until almost all of the water is evaporated will result in maple sugar. If you ever have an opportunity to visit a sugar shack during the spring sugaring season, stop inside and smell of the sweet maple vapors coming off the boiling sap.
History
The Mohegan Indians tapped the trees for their sweet syrup and used the sugar for bartering. Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and Canada. The Mohegan Indians also used the maple's inner bark as a cough remedy and the sap as a sweetening agent.
My grandparents often mentioned how the sugar maple was a favorite city and park tree during the 19th century because it was easy to propagate, transplant, and grow. It was fairly fast-growing, and had beautiful fall color. However, this has changed because the tree is generally intolerant of the acid rain, the soil acidification, the soil compaction, the road salt, and the pollution that today's world has contributed. Until the 20th century, it ranked as an excellent city street tree. However, it now has proved to be too delicate to continue in that role since the rise of road salt, industry, and automobile-induced pollution.
Not only was the sugar maple an excellent shade tree, a depiction of the leaf is the national symbol on the Canadian flag. The sugar maple is also the state tree of New York, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. It was depicted on the state quarter of Vermont, issued in 2001.
Range
Acer saccharum, also called rock maple and hard maple, is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada, from Nova Scotia west through Quebec and southern Ontario to southeastern Manitoba around Lake of the Woods, and the northern parts of the central and eastern U.S. from Minnesota eastward to the highlands of the eastern states. When I was young and wandered the trails in the Adirondack Mountains, I was able to observe how this tree is a main component of the eastern U.S. hardwood forest and is one of the trees which is most responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color.
Features
Sugar maples are long-lived trees which grow relatively slowly although somewhat faster in the first 35 years. They grow to 40-80 feet (12-25 m) tall, sometimes to 100 feet (30 m) high and 30-60 feet (9-18 m) wide. When healthy, the sugar maple can live for over 400 years. There are no serious insect or disease problems although it is susceptible to minor attacks of verticillium wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spot, and tar spot. Sugar maples are also susceptible to aphids, borers, and scale. Leaf scorch may be a problem in drought conditions. Most of these current insect and disease problems have been brought on by air pollution and poor soil conditions that is weakening the maples.
Acer saccharum has deciduous, medium green leaves that are 3-6 in. (7-15 cm) long and wide with 3-5 palmate lobes. The basal lobes are relatively small, while the upper lobes are larger and deeply notched. In autumn, they turn from bright yellow through orange to fluorescent red-orange, sometimes with considerable color variations. They look their best in the northern part of their range.
This tree is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained sandy or loamy soil in full sun to part shade. It does best in fertile, slightly acidic, moist soils in full sun. The preferred hardiness zone is 3 to 8 and the heat zone is 8 to 1.
The flowers are in panicles of 5 to 10 together, yellow-green, and without petals. Flowering occurs in early spring, after 30 – 55 growing degree days. The sugar maple will generally begin flowering when it is between 10 and 15 years old. The fruit is a pair of samaras.
If you ever travel in New England, be sure to stop at a local general store and pick up a bottle of maple syrup and a box of maple sugar candy that you can share with your best friend.
Appreciate the maple tree not only for its autumn beauty but also for the sweet syrup on your morning pancakes.
Sources:
- Wikipedia, 'Acer saccharum', 12 April 2017
- TreeHelp.com, “Sugar Maple”, 2017
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Acer saccharum, Plant Finder
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, 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.
Humus
Edited by Len Phillips
How does humus relate to the many components of soil?
Humus is a by-product of soil organic matter and is the most stable form of compost. Organic matter is degraded into humus by a combination of mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, microbes and animals such as algae, viruses, insects, earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, and various arthropods. Humus is the final result of the natural composting process for leaves, plants, and other organic matter. Humus is seen as the rich, dark layer in a profile of soil.
Humus itself has no nutritional value, but it greatly contributes to soil fertility from its physical and chemical properties. Humus particles can store positively charged forms of essential potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Humus also stores large quantities of carbon for years. Humus binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, making them less readily absorbed by plants or leached into groundwater. Humus not only provides the soil with good aeration, it also provides soil with water holding capacity essential for tree growth. In other words, humus greatly contributes to the storage and uptake of some fertilizer elements, but it is not a fertilizer itself.
Organic matter serves as a reservoir for nutrients and improves soil structure, cation exchange capacity, aeration, drainage, buffering capacity, and water-holding capacity. It also provides a source of food for beneficial microorganisms. Generally speaking, soils high in organic matter have better physical conditions compared to soils with low levels of organic matter.
Organic matter is usually less than 10% of the total weight of mineral soils. To actually change the organic matter content of a soil, very large amounts of organic materials must be applied. Research has shown that it takes 5 – 15 pounds (2 – 7 kg) of fresh plant residue to produce 1 pound (½ kg) of stable humus.
Soil Microorganisms
Humus is tied directly to soil microorganism activity. They decompose organic matter, suppress pathogens, improve soil properties, and convert soil nutrients from organic matter into tree-available forms. They also improve the soil structure, produce enzymes and hormones that help plants grow, and decompose pollutants in the soil. Microorganisms also suppress disease organisms and reduce the potential for temperature and moisture stress. Microorganisms carry out all these numerous biological functions and end up creating humus.
As we all know, plants remove CO2 from the air and convert it to sugar and energy via photosynthesis. The oxygen in the CO2 molecule is released back to the air and the carbon becomes part of the plant tissue. The carbon is later released from the plant tissue when the plant dies and falls to the ground. There it is consumed by soil microorganisms. The soil microorganisms produce humus and glomalin which are loaded with carbon. Glomalin, an organic glue, acts to bind organic matter to mineral particles in the soil as tiny clumps that actually improve soil structure, and the carbon is deposited on the surface of these particles. This process locks carbon
onto the soil particle.
Bacteria
Humus relates to bacteria as one of the main microorganisms in the soil that decompose organic matter and create humus. Nitrogen gas from the air is chemically bound by the bacteria into soluble or insoluble organic compounds that degrade in time, releasing soluble nitrogen compounds such as ammonia. Most bacteria convert nitrogen into a form that is available to plants. Bacteria will also convert insoluble mineral phosphorus and iron into soluble products that plants can use. Bacterial waste products become humus.
Fungi
Fungi is another main organism in the creation of humus. It decomposes dead plants, pine needles, bark, wood, and animal matter. Fungi act as recyclers of dead organic matter, obtaining food from these dead materials and release enzymes that eventually decompose and release organic materials into the surrounding environment. Fungal waste products that cannot be broken down further become soil humus.
Compost
Compost is the partially degraded organic matter that becomes humus when soil organisms have completed their activities. Leaf compost is the organic material that is broken down to use as fertilizer on the plant, but there are many other good types of compost like cow manure, kelp and fish-meal, and mixes of organic and inorganic minerals. Compost used as a top-dressing instead of mulch is easy and a fast way to improve the growth of trees and shrubs.
Humus and Humic Acid
Humus contains the remains of plants and organic matter as well as the digestive remains of microorganisms and invertebrates. The soluble pieces of humus are called humic and fulvic acids. Humic and fulvic acids buffer pH swings in the soil. Humic acid slows decomposition reactions in soils. These acids are very complex and are easily immobilized by soil mineral matter. They can improve germination of fungi, but the germinated fungus has to rapidly find a root to colonize or it will die.
Commercial Humates
Humates are mineral salts of humic and fulvic acids. Commercial humates are products derived from oxidized lignite, an earthy, coal-like substance associated with lignite outcrops. Humates marketed for agricultural purposes may be soluble or insoluble and may be fortified with commercial fertilizer. Commercial humates contain between 30% – 60% humic acid. Commercial humates do not resemble soil organic matter and therefore cannot be expected to perform the same function. In addition, the low rate of application normally recommended is insignificant in comparison with organic matter already present in most soils. Mixed humates contain 1.2% – 1.5% nitrogen, of which only a small portion of the nitrogen is needed by the plant in a given year. At the recommended application rate, commercial humates would add less than 1 pound (0.5 kg) of nitrogen per acre to the soil.
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 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
How does humus relate to the many components of soil?
Humus is a by-product of soil organic matter and is the most stable form of compost. Organic matter is degraded into humus by a combination of mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, microbes and animals such as algae, viruses, insects, earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, and various arthropods. Humus is the final result of the natural composting process for leaves, plants, and other organic matter. Humus is seen as the rich, dark layer in a profile of soil.
Humus itself has no nutritional value, but it greatly contributes to soil fertility from its physical and chemical properties. Humus particles can store positively charged forms of essential potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Humus also stores large quantities of carbon for years. Humus binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, making them less readily absorbed by plants or leached into groundwater. Humus not only provides the soil with good aeration, it also provides soil with water holding capacity essential for tree growth. In other words, humus greatly contributes to the storage and uptake of some fertilizer elements, but it is not a fertilizer itself.
Organic matter serves as a reservoir for nutrients and improves soil structure, cation exchange capacity, aeration, drainage, buffering capacity, and water-holding capacity. It also provides a source of food for beneficial microorganisms. Generally speaking, soils high in organic matter have better physical conditions compared to soils with low levels of organic matter.
Organic matter is usually less than 10% of the total weight of mineral soils. To actually change the organic matter content of a soil, very large amounts of organic materials must be applied. Research has shown that it takes 5 – 15 pounds (2 – 7 kg) of fresh plant residue to produce 1 pound (½ kg) of stable humus.
Soil Microorganisms
Humus is tied directly to soil microorganism activity. They decompose organic matter, suppress pathogens, improve soil properties, and convert soil nutrients from organic matter into tree-available forms. They also improve the soil structure, produce enzymes and hormones that help plants grow, and decompose pollutants in the soil. Microorganisms also suppress disease organisms and reduce the potential for temperature and moisture stress. Microorganisms carry out all these numerous biological functions and end up creating humus.
As we all know, plants remove CO2 from the air and convert it to sugar and energy via photosynthesis. The oxygen in the CO2 molecule is released back to the air and the carbon becomes part of the plant tissue. The carbon is later released from the plant tissue when the plant dies and falls to the ground. There it is consumed by soil microorganisms. The soil microorganisms produce humus and glomalin which are loaded with carbon. Glomalin, an organic glue, acts to bind organic matter to mineral particles in the soil as tiny clumps that actually improve soil structure, and the carbon is deposited on the surface of these particles. This process locks carbon
onto the soil particle.
Bacteria
Humus relates to bacteria as one of the main microorganisms in the soil that decompose organic matter and create humus. Nitrogen gas from the air is chemically bound by the bacteria into soluble or insoluble organic compounds that degrade in time, releasing soluble nitrogen compounds such as ammonia. Most bacteria convert nitrogen into a form that is available to plants. Bacteria will also convert insoluble mineral phosphorus and iron into soluble products that plants can use. Bacterial waste products become humus.
Fungi
Fungi is another main organism in the creation of humus. It decomposes dead plants, pine needles, bark, wood, and animal matter. Fungi act as recyclers of dead organic matter, obtaining food from these dead materials and release enzymes that eventually decompose and release organic materials into the surrounding environment. Fungal waste products that cannot be broken down further become soil humus.
Compost
Compost is the partially degraded organic matter that becomes humus when soil organisms have completed their activities. Leaf compost is the organic material that is broken down to use as fertilizer on the plant, but there are many other good types of compost like cow manure, kelp and fish-meal, and mixes of organic and inorganic minerals. Compost used as a top-dressing instead of mulch is easy and a fast way to improve the growth of trees and shrubs.
Humus and Humic Acid
Humus contains the remains of plants and organic matter as well as the digestive remains of microorganisms and invertebrates. The soluble pieces of humus are called humic and fulvic acids. Humic and fulvic acids buffer pH swings in the soil. Humic acid slows decomposition reactions in soils. These acids are very complex and are easily immobilized by soil mineral matter. They can improve germination of fungi, but the germinated fungus has to rapidly find a root to colonize or it will die.
Commercial Humates
Humates are mineral salts of humic and fulvic acids. Commercial humates are products derived from oxidized lignite, an earthy, coal-like substance associated with lignite outcrops. Humates marketed for agricultural purposes may be soluble or insoluble and may be fortified with commercial fertilizer. Commercial humates contain between 30% – 60% humic acid. Commercial humates do not resemble soil organic matter and therefore cannot be expected to perform the same function. In addition, the low rate of application normally recommended is insignificant in comparison with organic matter already present in most soils. Mixed humates contain 1.2% – 1.5% nitrogen, of which only a small portion of the nitrogen is needed by the plant in a given year. At the recommended application rate, commercial humates would add less than 1 pound (0.5 kg) of nitrogen per acre to the soil.
Sources:
- Dragon, Curtis, "Organic Earth Care", Archive #33 from Online Seminars, July/August 2010.
- Ingham, Dr. Elaine, "The Relationship between Plants and Soil ", Archive #30 from Online Seminars, January/February 2010.
- Phillips, Len "Custom Soils Lock CO2 Away", Archive #28 from Online Seminars, September/October 2009.
- Phillips, Len, "Soil Microorganisms", Archive #24 from Online Seminars, January/February 2009.
- Phillips, Len, "Urban Soil Updates", Archive #34 from Online Seminars, September/October 2010.
- Smith, Kevin, "Humus and Soil Fertility" Tree Care Industry, September 2010.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist 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.
Ash Decline
Edited by Len Phillips
Ash decline occurs on ash (Fraxinus) trees and is a term that is often used to refer to more than one condition. Ash decline may involve ash yellows disease or verticillium wilt, but it is usually indicating the decline of ash for any reason. It has been found to infect several different ash species and cultivars.
Cause
Ash decline disease is caused by a phytoplasma, which is a bacterium that lives in the phloem tissue. As the products of photosynthesis are transmitted in the phloem, insects such as leaf hoppers, spittlebugs, and psyllids are able to extract the fluid and they are able to transmit the disease from infected to uninfected trees.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ash decline include:
Management
Research indicates that deep planting, girdling roots, mulch mounds around the trunk, soil compaction, root injury, and other common landscape problems can also contribute to ash decline.
There are no cures for this. Suggested management to slow disease progression includes removing trees with severe dieback, watering the trees in periods of extended drought lasting at least 2 weeks, pulling the mulch away from the trunk, and fertilizing in the fall with a balanced tree fertilizer. Removal of dead limbs may help as well. Ash trees are very resilient and may respond well to this pampering.
Where Modesto ash (F. velutina cv. Modesto) is growing, new plantings of this species are not recommended for the urban landscape, while a resistant species such as Shamel ash or Evergreen ash (Fraxinus uhdei) would be a more appropriate choice.
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, 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
Ash decline occurs on ash (Fraxinus) trees and is a term that is often used to refer to more than one condition. Ash decline may involve ash yellows disease or verticillium wilt, but it is usually indicating the decline of ash for any reason. It has been found to infect several different ash species and cultivars.
Cause
Ash decline disease is caused by a phytoplasma, which is a bacterium that lives in the phloem tissue. As the products of photosynthesis are transmitted in the phloem, insects such as leaf hoppers, spittlebugs, and psyllids are able to extract the fluid and they are able to transmit the disease from infected to uninfected trees.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ash decline include:
- Ash trees with dead and dying branches, short internodes and tufting of foliage at branch ends.
- Leaves become pale green to yellow and might develop fall colors prematurely.
- Infected trees have some new foliage trying to emerge from buds on lower branches, but this new foliage is greatly reduced in size and never attains the size of normal ash tree foliage.
- The tree may or may not defoliate, but the canopy generally appears sparse.
- Cankers form on both the branches and the trunk, causing twigs and branches to die back.
- Witches-broom type sprouts appear on some branches but are more common on the trunk.
- Cracks in the trunk may appear in the branch area as well.
- The two or three year’s previous growth rates on affected trees will be greatly reduced as indicated by bud scars.
- Ash decline usually includes branch tip death, defoliation of enough leaves to give the tree a sparse look, and a slow decline of the tree over a number of years.
- Scorching is common.
- The infected trees may appear to be recovering each year in the spring and then decline in July and August.
Management
Research indicates that deep planting, girdling roots, mulch mounds around the trunk, soil compaction, root injury, and other common landscape problems can also contribute to ash decline.
There are no cures for this. Suggested management to slow disease progression includes removing trees with severe dieback, watering the trees in periods of extended drought lasting at least 2 weeks, pulling the mulch away from the trunk, and fertilizing in the fall with a balanced tree fertilizer. Removal of dead limbs may help as well. Ash trees are very resilient and may respond well to this pampering.
Where Modesto ash (F. velutina cv. Modesto) is growing, new plantings of this species are not recommended for the urban landscape, while a resistant species such as Shamel ash or Evergreen ash (Fraxinus uhdei) would be a more appropriate choice.
Sources:
- Bricker, Jerald S. and Jean C. Stutz, “Host Range and Distribution of the Phytoplasma Causing Arizona Ash Decline”. Journal of Arboriculture 31(5): September 2005.
- Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, “Ash Decline”, Iowa State University, July 18, 2016.
- Schalau, Jeff, “Ash Decline in Yavapai County”, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension June 27, 2012
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal 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.
Chipper Operations and Best Work Practices
By Ken Palmer
A wood chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to deal with wood and branches. However, a wood chipper is only as good as its operator or operators and this responsibility should never be underestimated! One of the very first tasks that a person on a tree crew has, is to be responsible for moving wood and feeding the chipper. Being responsible for a chipper and safe operations is all too often under-estimated. To operate these machines safely and productively is actually a big responsibility.
Safe Operations
Traffic control along the roads and highways at a job site must be established prior to the start of chipper operations. Wood and logs must not be allowed to create hazards in the work or traffic areas. In order to prevent any type of entanglement, loose clothing, climbing equipment, body belts, harnesses, lanyards, or gauntlet-type gloves must not be worn while operating chippers.
Employee Training
Training should always be provided for all personnel that will be involved in the chipper operation. Starting, feeding, and shutdown procedures for all chippers is a very important part of this operation.
Feeding Chippers
Wood and logs should always be fed into chippers with the butt end first and from the side of the feed table center-line. To prevent injury, the operator should turn immediately away from the feed table once the wood is taken by the rotor or feed rollers.
Wood chipper discharge chutes or cutter housing covers must not be raised, opened, or removed while any part of the chipper is turning or moving. Chippers should not be used unless the discharge chute is of sufficient length or some type of design is provided that prevents personal contact with the blades.
When feeding a chipper along a street or roadside, the operator and other workers responsible for feeding wood must do so in a manner that prevents him or her from stepping into traffic or being pushed into traffic by the material that is being fed into the chipper. Chippers should be fed from the curbside whenever possible. When using a winch or grapple for chipper operations, the operator must be sure that the winch cable and all equipment is properly stored before feeding the chipper.
Whenever material is being fed into the chipper in-feed hopper chute, pinch points are continually developing within the material being chipped and between the material and machine. The operator needs to be aware of this situation and behave accordingly.
Foreign materials, like stones, nails, sweepings, and rakings, should never be fed into chippers. Small branches should be fed into chippers with longer branches or by pushing them in with a long stick. Hands and other parts of the body should not be placed into the in feed hopper when a chipper is running. Pushing or kicking material into the in-feed chipper hoppers with feet is dangerous and prohibited.
Maintenance on chippers should only be performed by those persons authorized by the employer and trained by the manufacturer to perform maintenance operations.
Non-English Speaking Workers
Along with a huge growth in the number of Spanish speaking workers in the U.S. tree care industry, there has been a large increase in the number of injuries and deaths among the non-English speaking workforce. Substantial amounts of OSHA’s recent budgets have been used to increase safety training for non-English speaking workers. Individual tree companies and departments should also provide safety training to all employees, especially non-English speakers.
Manuals, fact sheets, procedural information, warning decals etc. should be provided in the appropriate language and English. Check with the equipment manufacturers for assistance with acquiring non-English manuals and warning decals.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness on-the-job means being prepared to deal with emergency situations to the best of everyone’s ability. Training, preparation, and planning ahead are necessary in order to be ready to handle the unexpected.
A wood chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to it. A wood chipper is only as good as the trained operator and this responsibility should never be
underestimated.
Everyone who reads this article, should take the time to stop, take a step back and think out of the box in order to see the big picture. If we truly want to attract and keep responsible, productive people, and gain the respect of the general public for the truly important and valuable work that we do, then it’s up to each of us to develop and build our departments and companies from the ground up with a focus on safety and best practice. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!
Ken Palmer is President of ArborMaster® Inc.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to 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 Ken Palmer
A wood chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to deal with wood and branches. However, a wood chipper is only as good as its operator or operators and this responsibility should never be underestimated! One of the very first tasks that a person on a tree crew has, is to be responsible for moving wood and feeding the chipper. Being responsible for a chipper and safe operations is all too often under-estimated. To operate these machines safely and productively is actually a big responsibility.
Safe Operations
Traffic control along the roads and highways at a job site must be established prior to the start of chipper operations. Wood and logs must not be allowed to create hazards in the work or traffic areas. In order to prevent any type of entanglement, loose clothing, climbing equipment, body belts, harnesses, lanyards, or gauntlet-type gloves must not be worn while operating chippers.
Employee Training
Training should always be provided for all personnel that will be involved in the chipper operation. Starting, feeding, and shutdown procedures for all chippers is a very important part of this operation.
Feeding Chippers
Wood and logs should always be fed into chippers with the butt end first and from the side of the feed table center-line. To prevent injury, the operator should turn immediately away from the feed table once the wood is taken by the rotor or feed rollers.
Wood chipper discharge chutes or cutter housing covers must not be raised, opened, or removed while any part of the chipper is turning or moving. Chippers should not be used unless the discharge chute is of sufficient length or some type of design is provided that prevents personal contact with the blades.
When feeding a chipper along a street or roadside, the operator and other workers responsible for feeding wood must do so in a manner that prevents him or her from stepping into traffic or being pushed into traffic by the material that is being fed into the chipper. Chippers should be fed from the curbside whenever possible. When using a winch or grapple for chipper operations, the operator must be sure that the winch cable and all equipment is properly stored before feeding the chipper.
Whenever material is being fed into the chipper in-feed hopper chute, pinch points are continually developing within the material being chipped and between the material and machine. The operator needs to be aware of this situation and behave accordingly.
Foreign materials, like stones, nails, sweepings, and rakings, should never be fed into chippers. Small branches should be fed into chippers with longer branches or by pushing them in with a long stick. Hands and other parts of the body should not be placed into the in feed hopper when a chipper is running. Pushing or kicking material into the in-feed chipper hoppers with feet is dangerous and prohibited.
Maintenance on chippers should only be performed by those persons authorized by the employer and trained by the manufacturer to perform maintenance operations.
Non-English Speaking Workers
Along with a huge growth in the number of Spanish speaking workers in the U.S. tree care industry, there has been a large increase in the number of injuries and deaths among the non-English speaking workforce. Substantial amounts of OSHA’s recent budgets have been used to increase safety training for non-English speaking workers. Individual tree companies and departments should also provide safety training to all employees, especially non-English speakers.
Manuals, fact sheets, procedural information, warning decals etc. should be provided in the appropriate language and English. Check with the equipment manufacturers for assistance with acquiring non-English manuals and warning decals.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness on-the-job means being prepared to deal with emergency situations to the best of everyone’s ability. Training, preparation, and planning ahead are necessary in order to be ready to handle the unexpected.
A wood chipper is one of the most valuable and important assets that a tree company and/or a tree crew has available to it. A wood chipper is only as good as the trained operator and this responsibility should never be
underestimated.
Everyone who reads this article, should take the time to stop, take a step back and think out of the box in order to see the big picture. If we truly want to attract and keep responsible, productive people, and gain the respect of the general public for the truly important and valuable work that we do, then it’s up to each of us to develop and build our departments and companies from the ground up with a focus on safety and best practice. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!
Ken Palmer is President of ArborMaster® Inc.
The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.
ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.
*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or BCMA management credits.
California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.
ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.
MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.
To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account. After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to 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.
Biostimulants and Growth Enhancement
Edited by Len Phillips
Poor soil can restrict water intake into the tree and limit tree growth. Arborists, nurseries, and researchers are interested in improving the physical condition of the soil. These goals can be accomplished in part through the use of amending materials that improve the soil's physical condition.
Biostimulants
Biostimulants are living organisms or extracts from living things that can either help protect trees from disease or invigorate growth. They include powdered live forms of organic compounds such as mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial fungi (Gliocladium, Tricoderma), and root-colonizing bacteria (Streptomycetes, Bacillus, Pseudomonas). They also include such things as yucca extracts (wetting agent), kelp, humates, protein hydrolysates, and glutens that provide slow release forms of nitrogen. Certain harmful soil pests can be controlled with chili pepper spray, garlic tea, and Neem oil (a broad-spectrum insecticide derived from the oil of Neem tree seeds).
The term ‘biostimulant’ has been used to describe various substances involved in horticultural production over the past few decades. They were originally developed to promote root growth in agriculture and increase root crops by 20 – 30%. They also were used to reduce stress, disease susceptibility, and improve root quality. In recent years, however, it has been established that a biostimulant is a substance that is not a plant nutrient or pesticide but in some manner has a positive impact on tree health. The biostimulant may enhance metabolism and respiration, increase chlorophyll efficiency and production, increase antioxidants, nucleic acid synthesis, enhance nutrient availability and increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
The benefits of biostimulants have been recognized for some time and university research has been published showing various benefits to growing organisms. In several research studies, biostimulants have decreased certain problems leading to chlorosis by enabling the tree to absorb minerals not readily available within the soil profile. University research has demonstrated the effectiveness of biostimulants and how they help retain a healthy forest soil environment. Also biostimulants have been shown to enable antioxidant activity in both the soil and within the tree, especially when the trees are under stress. In many cases, biostimulants help the tree recover quickly from stress and rejuvenate the root system.
In the age where caution has to be utilized in chemicals placed on the landscape, biostimulants can help by utilizing organic means of replenishing nutrients into the soil, while enabling the tree to uptake products more efficiently. At the same time, biostimulants decrease the overall amount of nitrate rich fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides that need to be applied. The results of current research indicates that biostimulants can improve root growth after transplanting. However, the appropriate biostimulant must be used for the specific species, and many biostimulants do not meet the manufacturer's claims.
Advantages
Sea Kelp
This product is often used as a source of beneficial bacteria. However, seaweed extracts provide few plant hormones and the product effect is negligible.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They take part in a tree's physiological processes that control photosynthetic activity and enhance water and nutrient efficiency of the plant. Plants save energy when treated with amino acids. In principle, the saved energy can be used for other processes resulting in a healthy and efficient tree that can withstand stress and the onslaught of disease.
Commercial Biostimulants
There are many products available that provide nutrients, organic substances, vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that are advertised to improve tree vigor. However, research has not confirmed that all commercial products make a substantial difference. Furthermore, the biostimulants product industry is not regulated, nor is it subject to any quality control testing.
Sources:
Note: The mention of brand names in this article does not constitute an endorsement of these products. They are mentioned only for providing the reader with useful information.
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 0.5 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, 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
Poor soil can restrict water intake into the tree and limit tree growth. Arborists, nurseries, and researchers are interested in improving the physical condition of the soil. These goals can be accomplished in part through the use of amending materials that improve the soil's physical condition.
Biostimulants
Biostimulants are living organisms or extracts from living things that can either help protect trees from disease or invigorate growth. They include powdered live forms of organic compounds such as mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial fungi (Gliocladium, Tricoderma), and root-colonizing bacteria (Streptomycetes, Bacillus, Pseudomonas). They also include such things as yucca extracts (wetting agent), kelp, humates, protein hydrolysates, and glutens that provide slow release forms of nitrogen. Certain harmful soil pests can be controlled with chili pepper spray, garlic tea, and Neem oil (a broad-spectrum insecticide derived from the oil of Neem tree seeds).
The term ‘biostimulant’ has been used to describe various substances involved in horticultural production over the past few decades. They were originally developed to promote root growth in agriculture and increase root crops by 20 – 30%. They also were used to reduce stress, disease susceptibility, and improve root quality. In recent years, however, it has been established that a biostimulant is a substance that is not a plant nutrient or pesticide but in some manner has a positive impact on tree health. The biostimulant may enhance metabolism and respiration, increase chlorophyll efficiency and production, increase antioxidants, nucleic acid synthesis, enhance nutrient availability and increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
The benefits of biostimulants have been recognized for some time and university research has been published showing various benefits to growing organisms. In several research studies, biostimulants have decreased certain problems leading to chlorosis by enabling the tree to absorb minerals not readily available within the soil profile. University research has demonstrated the effectiveness of biostimulants and how they help retain a healthy forest soil environment. Also biostimulants have been shown to enable antioxidant activity in both the soil and within the tree, especially when the trees are under stress. In many cases, biostimulants help the tree recover quickly from stress and rejuvenate the root system.
In the age where caution has to be utilized in chemicals placed on the landscape, biostimulants can help by utilizing organic means of replenishing nutrients into the soil, while enabling the tree to uptake products more efficiently. At the same time, biostimulants decrease the overall amount of nitrate rich fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides that need to be applied. The results of current research indicates that biostimulants can improve root growth after transplanting. However, the appropriate biostimulant must be used for the specific species, and many biostimulants do not meet the manufacturer's claims.
Advantages
- Biostimulants will not kill insects, but they will help trees heal quicker.
- Biostimulants will not cure any tree or shrub disease, but they will help improve a plant's disease resistance.
- Biostimulants will not add micro-nutrients to deficient soils or correct soil pH problems, but they will increase a soil amendment's effectiveness.
- Biostimulants have taken their rightful place as a catalyst for improving soil and the trees themselves.
- Biostimulants improve plant establishment and help provide healthier, stronger trees.
- Biostimulants promote beneficial microbial activity on new building sites where topsoil has been removed or compacted around preexisting trees.
- Biostimulants improve water and nutrient absorption in poor soils by promoting beneficial microbial activity and mycorrhizae development.
- Biostimulants help protect against soil borne pathogens and enhance soil health.
- Biostimulants help to break down herbicide or salt build-up in soil.
- Biostimulants encourage mycorrhizae development in urban soils with little organic content.
- Biostimulants improve effectiveness of soil amendment treatments and fertilization applications.
- Biostimulants benefit trees by improving feeder root development and the absorption of water and nutrients.
- Biostimulants protect trees against soil disease, while improving tree longevity and survival, while increasing survival rates of transplanted trees. These stimulants help to reduce damage from drought stress and provide a healthier appearance and growth to trees.
Sea Kelp
This product is often used as a source of beneficial bacteria. However, seaweed extracts provide few plant hormones and the product effect is negligible.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They take part in a tree's physiological processes that control photosynthetic activity and enhance water and nutrient efficiency of the plant. Plants save energy when treated with amino acids. In principle, the saved energy can be used for other processes resulting in a healthy and efficient tree that can withstand stress and the onslaught of disease.
Commercial Biostimulants
There are many products available that provide nutrients, organic substances, vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that are advertised to improve tree vigor. However, research has not confirmed that all commercial products make a substantial difference. Furthermore, the biostimulants product industry is not regulated, nor is it subject to any quality control testing.
Sources:
- "Guide to Arbor Care", Plant Health Care, Inc. 2011.
- Lantagne, Douglas, "Increasing Hardwood Planting Success Using Tree Shelters", University of Michigan, Forestry Fact Sheet 12, September, 1989
- Percival, Glynn C., "Are Biostimulants the Next Generation of Fertilizer?", Tree Care Industry, March 2004
Note: The mention of brand names in this article does not constitute an endorsement of these products. They are mentioned only for providing the reader with useful information.
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 0.5 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, 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.