ARCHIVE #85

Seminar #85 from Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists
January - March 2020

Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below

Women in Arboriculture - Susan Pfeifer
Women in Arboriculture - Tooba Shakeel
Miller Park in Downtown Chattanooga
Tree of Seminar #85 - Ruby Sunset® Maple
Planning to Install Trees
Trees and Ice Storms
Watering Trees After Installation
Canopy Height from 1650 to 2019
Trees with Tales - Glastonbury Thorn
Trees and Deer

Note: Click on green text in each section for more information and photos.

Women in Arboriculture
Susan Pfeifer

Consider for a moment, what do you see hundreds of every day but you rarely notice, that are older than you, but you cannot live without? It's trees! These gorgeous forms of life not only enhance our world through their beauty, but we could not live without them. Trees will scrub carbon dioxide from the air, give oxygen to all living animals and people, provide homes for birds and other critters among their branches and create shade to keep us cool while providing windbreaks to mitigate dust and blizzard conditions.

Yet, when a tree happens to be located in a less than ideal location, more times than not the first and only solution is to cut it down to make room for progress. Tree removal is a massive industry, yet few are aware that there are other options such as trimming or transplanting. Susan Pfeifer has created a unique and highly successful solution to the transplanting problem.

Susan Pfeifer is the founder of Colorado Tree Spade, the largest tree transplanting company in Colorado. She says that many people think the only option to remove a tree, is to cut it down. However, her company will relocate gorgeous trees to more ideal locations where they can thrive.

For over 35 years, Susan’s business has specialized in large tree transplanting for homeowners and commercial developers alike. They will move trees for all kinds of reasons such as sentimentality or to enhance property values. Saving a large tree is even good for publicity surrounding new multi-million dollar development projects. Whatever the reason, the effect is always positive. Tree transplanting is one of the few things in the world that can be done and is considered a good deed by just about everyone.

One of Susan’s favorite stories about saving a tree, began with a sapling. As a girl, one of Susan's customers obtained a small seedling on a trip to the mountains with her grandmother. They dug up the seedling and brought it to her grandmother’s house in a coffee can. Shortly thereafter they planted it in the backyard, where it grew and grew and grew. About twenty-five years later when her grandmother passed, the tree was over 20 feet tall and the house had to be sold. The granddaughter desperately wanted to keep the tree that her grandmother planted with her, so she contacted Susan. The tree was able to be successfully transplanted to the granddaughter's home, where she continues to enjoy it to this day.

So what does it take to save a large tree?
It all comes down to the size of the rootball. Tree roots are more than what we see when a tree is uprooted. The roots work with the soil to develop an ecosystem containing fungi, insects, and many other forms of biological life. Together, they break down the nutrients in the soil to provide food to help the tree live and grow. When moved with a tree spade, the disturbance to these ecosystems is minimized. This is why trees transplanted by tree spade have a higher survival rate over balled and burlapped (B&B) trees.

When transplanting B&B trees the soil around the roots is dug by hand. Over the course of the hours needed to hand-dig the roots, it then takes additional time to secure the rootball with burlap and rope or twine. Then, when the move is completed, the B&B tree has to be unwrapped and installed into soil that is likely to be different from the soil where the tree was growing before the move. All of these stresses reduce the health and chance for a speedy recovery of the tree.

Colorado Tree Spade
Susan's company works according to international standards that ensure that trees that are relocated will have an over 90% survivability rate. Plus, the tree will be thriving within a year after the move because the rootball remained intact. Also, because as many roots as possible were moved with the tree, there was a constant normal pressure from the soil around the roots, and the move is normally completed within an hour from origination to destination.

Susan's company has the largest range of tree spades in Colorado and they are able to move rootballs from 24 inches or 2 feet (60 cm) to 124 inches or 10 feet (320 cm) in diameter. That’s over 50,000 pounds (22,000 kg) of rootball for trees up to 40 feet (12 m) tall.

Growing Seasons
Trees are best moved outside of their growing seasons, which in Colorado means late fall, winter and early spring. During this dormant period, the tree's energy is not focused on growing new leaves, so moving is most successful during this time. However, with the proper precautions, tree spaded trees can be moved year-round with success. Many times, a development project cannot wait for winter, so the option is either cut the tree down or attempt a transplant with extra precautions. These precautions include using a large tree spade, monitored watering, and insight from local arborists for the proper use of spraying and fertilizing, as well as moving trees during the cooler parts of the day, when possible.

Tree Sizes
Mature trees over 15 feet (5 m) tall are in high demand but in short supply. Those who have trees of this size on their properties rarely want to part with them. Nurseries rarely keep stock this big because these trees take so much longer to grow, and are much more difficult to transplant. Furthermore, trees this big can cost thousands of dollars to buy because the high cost to transplant them by nurseries who will dig and transplant B&B.

However, because this cost is high, many homeowners are encouraged to get rid of an overgrown tree and have it removed by Colorado Tree Spade for free. The company maintains a list of “Trees Needing a Home” that they can offer to clients at a greatly reduced cost. Homeowners can also post their trees online at websites such as Craigslist and Nextdoor who offer trees for the cost of transplanting. This way the homeowner gets rid of a tree and stump removed quickly at no cost, and a new home obtains a large tree at a great price. The best part of this is that the tree does not get destroyed.

One other great feature is that commercial developers can offer mature trees to local parks, homeowners and others to save the tree while generating good public relations for their projects. This can also create a tax incentive when donating the tree to local non-profit organizations or churches. Susan says “People hate to see trees cut down, so we encourage developers to proactively relocate the trees to enhance their property's final look, or offer them to the community. It’s a win for everyone – including the tree.”

To see more on Susan Pfeifer and Colorado Tree Spade visit her on Linked in.

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, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA management credits.

California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.

ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.

MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.

To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account.  After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to Merchant' / gibneyCE.com.  That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test.  Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers.  These numbers are important for reporting purposes.

To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page.  If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.

When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com.  You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary.  A test review of your answers is available upon request.

All passing test scores are sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks* after that. ISA maintains a record of CEU credits on their website.
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.

Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the 'sending your answers' response.

Women in Arboriculture
Tooba Shakeel

For Tooba Shakeel, trees have been a gateway to life-long learning, community building, and fostering leaders of tomorrow.

Tooba has spent her career in nonprofit and public sector work for 13 municipalities in Ontario, Canada. She has been leading projects and engaging over 15,000 people of diverse backgrounds in these projects. Her work has contributed to growing a local urban forest, enhancing biodiversity, restoring parks and natural spaces, protecting sensitive species and habitats, improving school environments, advancing municipal sustainability, taking actions to reduce impacts of climate change and finally, training of young people and professionals.

Tooba is a published scientist in the fields of urban forestry and urban planning and is an ISA Certified Arborist.

She lends her time and urban forestry expertise to a number of local charities in Canada including serving as a director on the governing board for Oakvillegreen Conservation Association and being a science mentor for young women at EcoSpark's Sparking Science Conference. She is also an instructor for LEAF’s (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program.

When asked what she considers her greatest strengths, Tooba reflected and shared thoughts from three areas of her career:

1. Understanding trees as individuals and members of a community
Tooba's fascination for trees began at an early age when she can remember spending time under majestically large trees that served as a backdrop to her childhood growing up in Pakistan. Shade under those trees was a cool, calming blanket for countless hours of imagination, play and picnics with her family.

A strength Tooba developed as an adult was to understand trees as individual living beings that are working hard to grow, reproduce, and flourish. She knows that trees are active members of intricate urban forest communication networks. The presence or lack of trees has an influence on our built environment and landscapes. Trees can impact everything from human connections and livability to public health and property values.

As an arborist and an urban forest researcher, Tooba has learned to understand trees from the smallest to the largest scales. This has helped her understand the needs and benefits of one tree in a small backyard versus trees in a dense mixed-used, mature suburban neighborhood. Learning the science of trees as biological organisms and urban forests as dynamic ecosystems while working as a community programmer, has helped her to understand and build on the deeply complex and ancient relationship people have with trees in spaces where they live, eat, learn, play, and work.

2. Building communities of change by fostering relationships
Tooba understands that the most crucial underlying reason for having more trees in our cities is so the diverse groups of people living in them can lead healthy, happy and comfortable lives. The success of any efforts to increase canopy cover or enhance natural spaces will depend on how and when the people living, working or playing closest to these spaces are consulted. Fostering and growing relationships between diverse people, multi-disciplinary experts, and local residents, can yield exponentially greater outcomes when improving local urban forests.

Through her teamwork at a local watershed authority, Tooba collaborates with local community members on developing and implementing neighborhood-based climate action plans. Her team works to support and advance municipal plans and programs. They are bridging the gap between knowledge and barriers within the local community and the existing network of resources to accelerate action in order to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Some of the most amazing women and professionals Tooba has met are in the arboricultural and environmental fields. These people have not only helped her achieve environmental goals but also helped her grow as a professional. While working with them every day she has seen how they have transformed their passions into their careers and how they are persistently fighting for the trees, the people, and the planet. This has helped her stay motivated. In meeting rooms and boardrooms where she has struggled to be heard, the professional support and constant encouragement of others has helped her see past the stereotypes imposed on her.

3. Knowing problems are opportunities for growth and transformation
The majority of Tooba's career has involved taking on roles that did not exist in the past. Much of the work she had done to date has been about solving specialized environmental problems for local communities. Tooba is constantly learning and staying curious while expanding her knowledge base. She used to think that asking for help was admitting you have failed, but really it is just a good business practice. It is important to understand that many people have already come across similar problems or might be working on a similar problem right now. Asking for help opens doors to existing knowledge base and tools that have already been developed.

To anyone starting their career or in the middle of it, Tooba wants to help them feel assured that ”your career is a unique marathon and not a sprint – you are in it for a long and personal journey that only you are qualified to conquer.”

Tooba would like to acknowledge that much work still needs to be done to make arboriculture, urban forestry and landscape architecture accessible to more women, as well as to visible minorities, LGBTQ‎ people, those with special needs, and the non-English speaking people.

She would like to thank the Online Seminar’s “Women in Arboriculture Series” for inviting her to share her story.

To see more on Tooba Shakeel visit her on Linked in.

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, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA management credits.

California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.

ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.

MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.

To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account.  After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to Merchant' / gibneyCE.com.  That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test.  Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers.  These numbers are important for reporting purposes.

To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page.  If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.

When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com.  You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary.  A test review of your answers is available upon request.

All passing test scores are sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks* after that. ISA maintains a record of CEU credits on their website.
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.

Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the 'sending your answers' response.

Miller Park in Downtown Chattanooga
Edited by Len Phillips

In downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, close to City Hall and the Main Library, is Miller Park. The park was recently re-designed to become a large, welcoming, open space where all the city residents could come together. The Chattanooga city leaders focused on making Miller Park the center piece of a new and walkable downtown. The park is now a renovated jewel in the heart of the City.

Design
To break down the barriers between Miller Park and the existing Miller Plaza across the street, the City applied a shared street approach and rebuilt Martin Luther King (M.L. King) Boulevard to allow the connection of the two public spaces into one unified civic space and the reconfigured M.L. King Boulevard between Georgia Avenue and Market Street. This 14-month, $10.3 million makeover involved reducing traffic lanes and removing traditional curbs to bring the road and sidewalk to the same level. The project also included planting a flush median strip with native trees to slow down traffic and encourage more pedestrian activity across the entire park.

The redesigned, two-acre, new Miller Park features a stage, a central lawn, beautifully paved plazas, granite structures and cafe seating. The new park serves as a gathering space for all to enjoy with plenty of space to play and relax. The park also serves as a green festival venue for concerts, farmers markets, and other events.

Trees
Sustainable and long-term solutions such as stormwater management and strategically positioned soil cells make up the green infrastructure and play a key role in the subterranean design of Miller Park. The project includes 77 trees of native species including overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) red maple (Acer rubrum), yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea), redbud (Cercis canadensis), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), and Wildfire black gum (Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'), to name a few. As the trees mature, the park will only improve with increased shade for people to enjoy leisure activities, dining and just hanging out.

The trees were installed in lightly compacted soil within the soil cells throughout the park and surrounding perimeter. The expansive structural soil cell system was installed in order to allow the tree roots to grow large and wide without disrupting the pavement, as well as cleaning any surface pollution from rainwater runoff. These soil cells provide each tree with a large volume of soil, creating an ideal environment for a long-term growth of an urban forest containing large canopy trees. In addition to nurturing and watering the native trees and plants, the soil cells provide excellent stormwater management that cleans the water outflow and reduces the amount of water that enters the combined sewer overflow systems.

Features
While serving as a green oasis in the city center, the park is also designed to accommodate cultural events and technologically-advanced productions. Miller Park has become a world class park that sets Chattanooga apart from other cities in Tennessee. To encourage resident participation at the park, some other features include:

The state-of-the-art pavilion along with the open lawn, will serve as an ideal space for events.
Power pedestals perched near some of the slatted metal benches along the park's borders, provide users with access to USB ports through the city's public Wi-Fi network.
The free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the park and an underground system of internet cables along with electricity to support the high-tech digital art installations.
A digital projector on the Pavilion allows for outdoor movie screenings and live performances.
The water fountains include a water-bottle filler for humans and a ground level basin serving as a doggie water fountain.
The paving pattern marks the transition between the park and the roadway. This design continues along the monumental stairs intended for access to the buildings as well as seating at social gatherings. These steps play a leading role in the design of the park, and easily transform into seating for everyday use and special events.

The next time you are traveling near Chattanooga, stop by and check out Miller Park. And yes, there is a Chattanooga Choo-Choo on display at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel complex downtown next to the Terminal Brewhouse.

Sources

Special thanks to city forester, Gene Hyde
Walton, Judy, “Newly renovated Miller Park debuts today in downtown Chattanooga”, Times Free Press, September 13th, 2018
Photos

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, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA science and 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 Seminar #85
   by Len Phillips

Ruby Sunset® Maple is a relatively new cultivar that has elegant foliage which stays fresh and glossy throughout the growing season. The hybrid parents bring cold hardiness and adaptability to this selection that resembles A. truncatum in appearance, growth habit and size. It is a great choice for smaller sites requiring a more compact tree. This tree is heat and drought tolerant which makes it valued as a global warming fighter for an urban-tolerant tree in the hotter parts of the US.

Trade Name:    Ruby Sunset® Maple
Botanical Name: Acer truncatum × A. platanoides ‘JFS-KW249’ PP 27985
Parentage: Hybrid developed by Keith Warren, now retired from J. Frank Schmidt & Son
Family: Aceraceae
Height: 25'
Spread:    20'
Form: Oval upright crown
Bloom Period: Very early in the spring at same time as leaf emergence
Flower: Bright yellow
Fruit: Winged, bright green samaras persist all summer until they turn brown in autumn
Summer Foliage: Dark green and very glossy in summer, leaves look like a 5-pointed star
Autumn Foliage:    Brilliant orange red to bright red persist until late autumn
Winter Color: Silvery color bark and twigs for winter interest
Bark: Silvery, long plates
Habitat: Hybrid that is suited for urban landscapes throughout most of the US
Culture:    Moist conditions, tolerates most soils, urban pollution and partial shade
Hardiness Zone:    4 – 8
Heat Zone:    8 – 3
Growth Rate: Medium to fast, average of 2 feet per year, combines a dense compact oval form with    short internodes
Pest Problems: Almost none
Storm Resistance: Good branch angles improve resistance
Salt Resistance: Good
Installation: Transplants easily
Pruning: Seldom needs pruning because no low branching and a spreading form
Propagating:   Asexual propagation by budding onto Acer platanoides rootstock
Design Uses: Excellent specimen for parks, lawns, and streets
Companions: Use with groundcovers
Other Comments: One of the best truncatum hybrid maples, excellent in the heat of the Midwest

Notes of Interest: In 1983, before Keith Warren retired, he initiated a program for selection and improvement in the species Acer truncatum. In March of 1988 he selected four good looking seedlings growing in a cultivated area at the nursery. After several years of evaluation, he determined that one of these trees was the best in terms of foliage quality, form, and fall color. In the fall of 1994, he picked seed from this tree and sowed in a seedbed and raised 68 seedlings and subsequently selected only one, which he planted in February 2001 into a long-term evaluation block. When this tree produced seed, he grew 43 tree seedlings until March 2007, at which time he selected and transplanted the best 18 trees. These trees were grown on wider spacing for two more years and periodically evaluated, and in March of 2009 he selected and transplanted the best 9 trees, into a long-term evaluation block for final cultivar selection. Of these 9 trees, he selected one tree which he named ‘JFS-KW249’. It had the densest, compact form while maintaining good vigor and it developed a beautiful bright red autumn color and received a patent in August 2013.

Sources:

Dirr, Michael A. and Keith S. Warren, “The Tree Book”, Timber Press, 2019.

U.S. Patent application for Acer truncatum × A. platanoides ‘JFS-KW249’ PP 27985
J. Frank Schmidt & Son Photo

Planning to Install Trees
Edited by Len Phillips

Well-thought out planning for the urban forest pays off in the form of healthier trees and reduced maintenance costs. Good planning requires starting with an inventory of the existing trees and proceeds to goal setting and finally to action.

Street Tree Master Plan (The Plan)
The Plan is a comprehensive review that evaluates the city along with its trees, the forestry department, and the city residents. The purpose of having this plan is to insure that the community will continue to appreciate the benefits from trees through proper arboricultural management in a cost-effective manner. It is the goal of The Plan to state what is necessary for the management of the urban forest and describe the measures and services required to fulfill these responsibilities to the community. The Plan should develop criteria for deciding priorities when installing street trees.

Goals
The goals of The Plan should indicate a realistic plan of achieving a 100% complete installation of trees in every available site in the community. The installation should be done over a long-time span and should be properly diversified. The Plan should also indicate the maintenance goals so tree management can be completed in a cost-effective manner.

The Plan should be developed under the supervision of the community's municipal arborist. The arborist may need assistance from volunteers, paid staff, or consultants. This assistance will be necessary to gather information, conduct evaluations, or do the actual report writing. Staff members may assist the arborist depending upon their workload and depending upon whether funds are available to pay for staff time assistance. Another option utilizes forestry consultants who specialize in plan preparation. The Plan should contain a description of all the items listed below.

Inventory
The inventory is the counting and description of all municipal or public trees growing within a community and it should be kept up to date. Use the inventory to find out what you have and what you need before you choose tree species for future installations. Make sure the inventory considers all the utilities and checks that the spaces available for replanting are suitable for replacements. The inventory can also be used to monitor the diversification of species of the existing urban forest. A good rule is to have no more than 10% of the population in one species. For design purposes, some communities may prefer one species or cultivar of a tree per block. More progressive communities, however, are choosing to develop a diversification program where no more than four trees of the same species or cultivar will be planted in a row.

An analysis of the inventory might include looking at needs, problems, tree values, and the comparisons between species, vigor, and location. Use the analysis to develop written goals for what the community forest should be. For example, if one of the goals is to create a forest that withstands pests and climatic extremes, plant a diverse mix of tree species. If the intention is to replace trees species with the same species, that should be stated in the goals as well. Often in shopping areas, the merchants will have great concerns about not planting trees where they might possibly block their display windows or signs. In these situations, the arborist should consider recommending trees such as those with high canopies for stores with low signs, or low growing trees for stores with high signs, or columnar forms in line with the edges of the building that would not block views of the windows or signs.

In some situations where the tree population is small, the inventory could be taken every five years and not constantly kept up to date. Regardless of size, successive inventories should be compared to look for long-term trends.

Tree List
The tree list is composed of natives, cultivars, and introductions that are tolerant of the local environment and are most suited to the specific community. In a municipal situation, the trees should not require high maintenance or be highly susceptible to pests and diseases. Additionally, no species with thorns or large fruits should be used in areas of pedestrian traffic.

Tree Selection
Choose the appropriate trees for the installation site by observing the following:

match the USDA hardiness zone and annual rainfall of the site to the tree,
match the tree to the size of the site,
match the tree to the available sunlight,
match the tree to the soils, water, and drainage,
consider potential soil compaction,
consider the available root space,
locate all utilities,
consider installing perforated pipe from the street catch basins to the street trees, so rainwater

might be used to water the trees.

consider trees that might drop messy fruit, large leaves, or twigs,
consider the budget for structural pruning the trees,
consider the health and type of existing plants, ordinance restrictions, and species diversity.

Tree Size and Cost
Purchasing bigger trees is not always better. In fact, smaller stock usually outgrows and outperforms larger stock in the long-term. Smaller sizes are easier for volunteers to plant, they are cheaper for contractors or the city to purchase and plant, and they require less maintenance. For many areas, 6 – 8 feet (2 – 2½ m) Bare Root stock is a great choice. On some city streets or intensively used areas, larger specimens such as 2 – 2½ inch (5 – 6 cm) diameter stock may be necessary because it will hold up to snow plowing, wind, bicycle parking or vandalism. Sizes have a big impact on determining the number of trees to be planted within the amount of available funds because with smaller stock, more trees can be planted. Also consider that trees that are dug bare root are half the cost of the exact same tree B&B, and the reduced cost of shipping makes the tree an even better use of the limited planting funds. If vandalism or strong winds might be a reason to go with bare root or stakes, plan on using root stabilization products that hold the tree roots firmly on the bottom of the planting pit.

Recent research reports have proven that selecting a smaller tree to plant at a site will increase recovery from transplant shock and grow more rapidly than installing a large tree. For example a 1-inch (2.5 cm) dbh tree will grow larger than a 4-inch (10 cm) tree of the same species within the first 5 years after the installation. Considering cost, a 1-inch diameter maple tree for example, might cost US$100 while the same species, as a 4-inch tree might cost at least $400. That means you could purchase four small trees for the price of 1 large tree and in 5 years no one would know the difference.

Municipal Environment
The Plan should contain an evaluation of the municipal environment and tree sites. The evaluation should look at soil, climate, existing trees, land use, aesthetic character, vegetative history, etc. The evaluation should also look at the municipal residents, their attitude about trees and their impact on climate change, their willingness to pay for proper tree management, and their perception of the existing urban environment.

Aesthetics
Not only is the aesthetic value of a tree itself important, a tree should also be selected that is best suited for the site in terms of its aesthetic value at that site.

Nurseries
Municipal street trees can be grown in municipal nurseries, purchased from commercial nurseries, or both.

Follow-Up
At least once a year, there should be a follow-up process done that will evaluate the work performance, planting progress, trees trimmed, inventory update, etc. The process will examine the work accomplished compared to what was budgeted and this can be reported in The Plan.

IPM
Tree management should also look at disease and pest control through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.

Pruning
Within two years after installation all newly planted trees should receive structural pruning. This effort will eliminate bad growth resulting from the transplant shock while also establishing the intended branch structure for the mature tree.

The Plan should require the pruning cycle for trimming street trees to be systematic, as opposed to trimming on demand. This will decrease the cost per tree while increasing the safety and condition of the trees and reduce demand and storm damage requests. This effort also results in a better public image.

Urban Forestry Department
To begin an analysis of the Urban Forestry Department, a study should be made of the following items: number of trees to be maintained; frequency of trimming cycle; workload per year; equipment and personnel required; budget; support services and contracts; employee training and morale; and other related items unique to each community. An evaluation should be made of the municipal forestry management program and a comparison made with the industry, standards, and practices in other communities. The Plan should also identify economical work methods and procedures that will enhance existing operations. Careful planning through The Plan will improve the cost effectiveness of the operations.

Equipment
A general knowledge of the basic and most efficient tools is essential for efficient street tree management. Tree pruning is the costliest operation in urban forestry department budgets. Besides structural pruning mentioned above, scheduled pruning and mechanization will reduce the costs for the benefit of the entire department. Replacement equipment should consider going “green”. For example, using battery powered chainsaws should be a top priority.

Contracting
Contracting versus using in-house labor versus some of both should be studied and prices compared in order to ensure that quality tree maintenance is being performed at the lowest possible cost. Some smaller cities are requiring all bidders for tree trimming to be TCIA accredited tree care companies. The price might be a bit higher, but municipal supervision will be minimal or unnecessary because these accredited company employees are so highly trained in proper tree care.

Regulations
The municipal regulations pertaining to tree installations, tree management, and tree removals as well as other local and state regulations pertaining to street trees should be evaluated and made a part of The Plan.

Operations and Maintenance Plan
One of the key elements to the Plan is the development of a long-term implementation strategy including annual goals that the forestry department intends to implement. The budget and funding section will also be individualized according to the local community requests and should provide details that will meet the needs of the community's urban forest sustainability as well as the practical limitations of municipal funding issues. The budget section should not only include cost estimates to implement each section of the plan, but it should also indicate funding sources including grants that might be used to offset the local government costs.

Public Relations
Public support comes in the form of the public's perception regarding the Urban Forestry program. The staff should be willing to meet with the public whenever the opportunity presents itself. When a tree planting program is being planned, the arborist should meet with the homeowners to obtain their thoughts on the tree to be selected for in front of their home. The arborist should offer residents a choice of tree if possible and make suggestions for its proper location.

Often residents may come out and want to talk to the pruning crew, who should take the time to discuss what is being done and why. Public support is necessary in order to obtain the funding necessary to pay for street tree management. Public support can be enhanced through a wide variety of public relations programs. In addition to communication with residents during tree installation and pruning, some of the best programs are described below.

Arbor Day
Arbor Day is the day to celebrate trees. Everyone involved in arboriculture should take advantage of, observe, and celebrate this holiday. The Tree City USA award should be announced. In addition, as a tree is being planted, the arborist should be indicating to the audience, the latest tree installation techniques, such as bare root planting, or removing the burlap, and root stabilization instead of staking, etc.

Tree City USA
This program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, is a very popular program that draws attention to a city's urban forestry program. Tree City USA is awarded to communities that meet four requirements:

it must have a tree board or tree department;
it must have a tree ordinance or by-law;
it must have a comprehensive urban forestry program supported by a minimum of two dollars per capita;
it must make an Arbor Day proclamation and hold a commemorative tree installation at a public ceremony. The arborist should be in charge of this event and use the tree installation to illustrate proper tree care and encourage the residents to grow trees in their yards.

Tree Advisory Board
All public support must be channeled through a street tree advisory board. This is a group of volunteers chosen by the mayor. Their task is to establish the policies and recommendations that the Urban Forestry Department must follow.

Volunteers
Volunteers can also be used to assist in other aspects of the urban forestry program, especially for tree installation projects. The volunteers should receive training in proper tree installation and tree care. Many cities also have citizen pruning organizations that provide training in proper pruning and tools to structurally prune small and recently planted trees. Any city that has a program for volunteers must also be sure to have a “Volunteer Appreciation Day”.

Sources

Dodge, Linda, "Current Research", Pacific Northwest Trees, Spring 2001
Gilman, Edward F., "Planting trees in landscapes", Environmental Horticulture Department, IFAS, University of Florida, 2004
Hagen, Bruce, "The Ecology of Urban Trees", City Trees, The Journal of The Society of Municipal Arborists Vol. 37, Number 5, September/October 2001
"Knoxville Street Tree Master Plan", Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission, 2002
Phillips, Leonard, "Municipal Street Tree Master Plan", City Trees, The Journal of The Society of Municipal Arborists Vol. 30, Number 3, May/June 1994
Phillips, Leonard, “Urban Trees”, McGraw-Hill, 1993.

The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.

ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.

*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA science and 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.

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Trees & Ice Storms
Edited by Len Phillips

Severe ice storms occur every year in the United States and Canada, particularly in the Midwestern and Eastern regions of the United States. These storms are responsible for deaths and injuries to people and result in losses valued at millions of dollars. Damage to electric distribution systems, blocked roadways, and property damage from fallen trees and limbs pose safety concerns and disrupt normal community functions.

Storm Development
The ice storm damage results from the accumulation of freezing rain on surfaces like tree branches and electrical wires. The U.S. National Weather Service defines ice storms as the accumulation of at least ¼” (0.625 cm) of ice on exposed surfaces. Typically ice storms can develop when a moist winter warm front passes over a colder surface-air layer. Rain falls from a warmer layer (above the freezing point of 32ºF/0ºC) and through layers of cooler air without freezing but becomes super-cooled. Ice accumulates when the super-cooled rain freezes on contact with surfaces that are at or below the freezing point.

The severity of damage increases with greater accumulations of ice. Accumulations between ¼ and ½ inch (0.5 to 1 cm) can cause small branches and weak limbs to break and ½ inch or greater of ice can cause large branches to break.

Most ice storms last only a few hours, but some storms may occur over several days depending on weather patterns. Strong winds substantially increase the potential for damage from ice accumulation. Ice storms might occur from October through April. However, ninety percent of them occur between December and March with most occurring in January.

Monetary losses to forests, individual trees, utility lines, agriculture, commerce, and property can be extensive after an ice storm. As an example, losses from a 1998 ice storm covering the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada were estimated at $6.2 billion with less than one-half of this amount insured. Other impacts included more than four million people without power and more than 40 deaths attributed to just this storm.

Storm Damage Categories
Storm damage to trees can be placed into five categories:
1. broken branches;
2. trunk bending;
3. splitting of main or co-dominant stems;
4. complete trunk failure;
5. tipping or up-rooting.

Damage to Trees
The damage to trees from ice storms depends on many factors:

amount and duration of accumulated ice;
exposure to wind;
wood resistance to failure;
weak branch unions indicated by included bark;
decaying or dead branches;
tree height and diameter;
increased surface area of lateral branches;
broad and unbalanced crowns;
shallow, restricted, and unbalanced root systems;
susceptibility to tree pathogens.

Branch breaking is the most common form of ice-induced damage and generally is the most easily repaired. Trees that have been uprooted, sustained trunk failure or have broken branches over more than 50% of the crown should be removed immediately.

The remarkable resiliency of trees poses a problem for municipal arborists and property owners as they struggle with the decision to repair or remove trees damaged by ice storms. Removing a tree when it can be repaired with an equal investment of time and resources represents a net loss in benefits to the community and property owners. Conversely, failure to remove a tree that cannot be restored to a safe and sound condition increases both the likelihood of future failure with potential property damage and personal injury.

The accumulation of ice can often produce damage to a branch that is not immediately evident. This hidden damage manifests itself in the formation of cracks that run parallel to the branch and originate near or at the point of attachment. These branches must be removed as soon as they are identified as they possess a high potential to fail.

Excessive ice loads can also induce branch splitting at the point of attachment. Repair typically involves pruning the ends of one or more of the affected branches to reduce load and the installation of cables and braces to provide additional mechanical support, if necessary. Branches that have structural support systems installed in them must be monitored on an annual basis. In some cases, particularly on large, older trees, if the extent of the split is too severe, the affected branch must be removed.

Trees that bend under the load of accumulated ice will, in most cases, return to their pre-storm form, once the load has melted. The fact that the tree did not break under the tremendous load suggests good structural integrity.

Trees Resistance to Damage
Trees that have characteristics that impart resistance to ice storm damage include:

Juvenile and mature trees that have excurrent (conical) branching patterns, strong branch attachments, flexible branches, and low surface area of lateral branches are generally resistant to ice storm damage. Species such as sweetgum (Liquidambar) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron) have an excurrent growth habit when young but develop a decurrent (rounded or spreading) growth habit later in life. As a result, these species are more resistant to breakage when young, but become susceptible with age.

Tree species with strong branch unions have greater resistance to breakage than those with weak branch junctures indicated by included bark in the union.

Trees with coarse branching patterns and, as a consequence, lateral branches with reduced surface area, such as Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus), black walnut (Juglans), and ginkgo (Ginkgo), accumulate less ice and typically have little breakage from ice storms. ‘Bradford’ pear (Pyrus calleryana) branches often break during ice storms because there is included bark in branch unions. In contrast, the ‘Aristocrat’ cultivar of the same pear species has few branches with included bark and sustains less damage during ice storms, which makes it a more desirable tree to plant in areas where ice storms may occur.

Younger trees and those with greater flexibility or elasticity of branches have greater resistance. Forest understory tree species, such as hophornbeam (Ostrya), serviceberry (Amelanchier), amur maple (Acer ginnala), and blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana) are relatively resistant to ice storm damage. American elm (Ulmus americana) expresses resistance as a member of the lower canopy, but becomes more susceptible to damage as it grows to become an upper canopy tree.

Trees that develop a greater taper of the main trunk or with buttresses, can support more mass and tend to have greater resistance to failure than spindly trees with less taper.

Seed sources of trees may also influence ice storm resistance. A tree species indigenous to areas subject to severe ice storms seem to have greater resistance than those trees not from these areas. For example, loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda) from more northern latitudes experience less ice storm damage than those from more southerly locations when grown in a similar location.

Forest edge trees tend to have large, unbalanced crowns with longer, lower and more branches on the open side. Interior trees, the crowns of which must compete for light, have small crowns with shorter main branches and fewer lower limbs and typically show less damage than edge trees.

Trees on slopes, and especially those facing north and east, tend to have greater ice storm damage because of imbalances in the crowns and roots as well as less sun to melt the ice.

Vine growth on forest trees can increase susceptibility to ice storm damage by increasing the surface area that accumulates ice.

Species with shallow root systems, such as red oak (Quercus rubra), are more prone to tipping during ice storms than deep-rooted species, such as white oak (Quercus alba) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), especially if the ground is unfrozen and the soil is saturated.

Trees such as river birch (Betula nigra), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), and arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) will naturally bend with the weight of ice and usually return to natural habit after the ice has melted off.

Reduce Tree Damage
Planting a diverse urban forest that includes trees resistant to ice storms and performing regular tree maintenance to avoid or remove structural weaknesses will reduce damage caused by severe ice storms.
Depending upon the level of damage, forest trees such as pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) will likely die within a few years if canopy damage exceeds 50 percent. In contrast, tree species such as pitch pine (Pinus rigida) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) have an excellent sprouting ability with the potential to quickly develop new branches and survive.

Urban Forest Management Plan
Steps should be taken to manage and minimize ice storm damage to urban forests through tree selection, maintenance, and recovery plans. As a first step, select and install tree species resistant to ice damage. Ice storm susceptibility should not be the sole criterion but the numbers of susceptible trees should be limited.

Proper tree placement and structural pruning on a regular cycle will reduce the potential for ice storm damage. Trees located near homes and other structures should be evaluated regularly for tree risk failure potential. Trees pruned regularly from a young age should be more resistant to ice storms.

Regular utility right-of-way inspection is important to minimize outages. Public education about the need to manage trees near utility lines should be encouraged, because it is in the best interests of utility companies, communities, and electricity consumers.

Ice storm frequency and severity necessitates the incorporation of ice storm information into the urban forestry planning process. While we cannot stop ice storms from occurring, we can take steps to reduce the impact of this major forest disturbance on urban forests and the interface between forests, buildings, and infrastructure.

Source
· Hauer, Richard J., Jeffrey O. Dawson, and Les P. Werner, “Trees and Ice Storms: The Development of Ice
    Storm-Resistant Urban Tree Populations”, Joint Publication 06-1, University of Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois, 2006.



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, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA management credits.

California UFC members will receive credit for passing the test. Please add your CaUFC number after your ISA and/or SAF certification number.

ASCA members may submit your ISA certification record to the ASCA and receive credits one for one.

MTOA members must follow the ISA instructions indicated above.

To take the test by the pay per test option, click on the 'Pay Now' button below where you can send payment online securely with your credit card or Pay Pal account.  After your payment is submitted, click on ‘Return to Merchant' / gibneyCE.com.  That will take you to the test sign in page followed by the test.  Members with certifications from both ISA and SAF, please be sure to add both of your certification numbers.  These numbers are important for reporting purposes.

To take the test as an annual subscriber with reduced rates, click on Password and enter your test password which will take you to the test sign in page.  If you would like to become a subscriber see our Annual Subscription page for details.

When you have finished answering all questions you will be prompted to click ‘next’ to send your answers to gibneyCE.com.  You can then click ‘next’ to view your test summary.  A test review of your answers is available upon request.

All passing test scores are sent from gibneyCE.com to your organization(s) at the end of every month and they will appear on your certification record 4 to 6 weeks* after that. ISA maintains a record of CEU credits on their website.
*SAF requires 5 passing test scores before reporting.

Test re-takes are allowed, however you will have to pay for the retake if you are using the pay per test option. You can spend as much time as you would like to take the test but it is important not to leave the test site until you have answered all the questions and see the 'sending your answers' response.

Watering Trees after Installation
Edited by Len Phillips

The most neglected part of the planting process is an extended commitment to watering during the critical months following a tree installation. Part of the problem lies in the fact that specific recommendations about frequency and amount of water to apply are almost impossible to give, especially for sites where soils have been altered. The arborist overseeing the installation program must adapt the watering recommendations to accommodate for different species and different soils.

Water acts as a coolant, keeping the tree from overheating on summer days. It is also essential for the tree to manufacture the food it needs to grow. Water serves as a system for transporting nutrients from the soil to the leaves and for the manufactured food to move throughout the tree. The lack of available water reduces the tree’s ability to make food and maintain normal functions. Symptoms of water stress include wilting and loss of leaves. A tree also “screams” in distress when air bubbles have replaced water moving up the tree¹

¹The removal of branches during the installation process for compensatory pruning to make up for lost roots, was a common practice in the past. It was thought that fewer leaves meant less demand for water, leading to better establishment. Research by Carl Whitcomb proved that the opposite was true. Trees establish more quickly with an abundance of leaves to provide food for the regrowth of the roots left behind at the nursery.

Watering New Trees
When a tree is planted, the hole should be filled with water halfway through the installation process and again when it is completely planted. The saucer should be filled two more times within 24 hours after installation. Even if it is raining, a thorough watering will eliminate trapped air pockets and reduce transplant shock. After installation, a thorough watering once a week is necessary until the end of the growing season. On extremely hot or windy days, a very fine misting of the leaves may be necessary several times a day. Watering may also be necessary during drought periods for a few years after installation. Mulching trees with a 1 – 3 inch (2.5 – 8 cm) thick layer of woodchips or other mulch is recommended as it helps reduce evaporation and conserve water in the soil.

Frequently irrigated trees and shrubs establish faster than those receiving infrequent irrigation. This seems especially true for container-grown nursery stock. Initially, the best place to check water need is in the root ball or soils in direct contact with the roots. Moisture in these relatively small areas will be the primary source of water for the tree until the root system grows through the backfill.

Recent evidence suggests that a heavy watering is essential as part of the installation process, but frequent irrigation provides more benefit than applying large volumes of water infrequently during the period when the roots are becoming established. Within two to three days, root balls of newly planted trees will dry to levels that impede root growth. Be sure to gradually increase the area irrigated around the tree to accommodate root growth. This recommendation is in direct contrast to the former recommendation for established trees where occasional irrigation with large water volumes was considered better than light, frequent applications.

For trees installed in spring or summer, provide water one to three times a week during the first few months after installation. Daily irrigation in the warmer weather provides the quickest establishment. Following the initial few months of frequent irrigation, begin to provide weekly irrigation until trees are fully established. In most landscapes that receive more than 30 inches (80 cm) of rain annually, if the mulch area is maintained weed-free, irrigation does not need to be applied outside of the root ball. Never water if the root ball is saturated.

The maximum size tree should be determined not only by the budget, but also by irrigation capabilities and climate. If irrigation cannot be provided, choose smaller nursery stock to ensure survival. If trees will be irrigated infrequently, only seeds, seedlings, or small saplings of drought tolerant trees should be planted. Small-sized nursery stock and bare root trees have a small crown, so roots come into balance with the leaves soon after installation. Once roots come into balance with the top of the tree, they usually grow well with rainfall alone. If trees will be irrigated only until they are established, drought tolerant trees should be chosen, and nursery stock of any size can be planted.

Roots must generate and grow into surrounding soils before a larger soil volume can be tapped for moisture. Tree roots grow approximately 18 inches (½ m) in length annually in most locations. Trees will become established within 1 – 1½ years for each caliper inch of stem. Thus, it takes 2 – 3 years before a 2 in (5 cm) tree is established.

Water Application
Water can be applied by asking adjacent homeowners to keep the tree watered or send out a truck with a water tank and hose. To cut back on watering costs, many people have started using commercially manufactured watering devices. The most popular product is Treegator® which is designed to hold gallons of water and release it slowly from small holes in the bottom of the bag. The TreeDiaper® and Growth Ring® products swell up with water like an old fashion inner tube from an automobile tire. The water in these products seeps out slowly. They can maintain relatively uniform soil moisture levels and are especially useful because the soil absorbs water very slowly. “Greenwell Water Savers” and other plastic water holding rings are installed around the edge of the planting pit and are designed to hold several gallons of water around the tree trunk to provide a quick filling of delivered water. The water then soaks into the soil all around the newly installed tree. Water-filled “cocoon pots” work well for small stock in hard-to-access locations but are not recommended for watering public trees.

Frequency of watering should be reduced and the area to be watered enlarged as the root system grows and expands. Newly installed trees and shrubs should not be irrigated as frequently or with the same amount of water as newly seeded turfgrass. Trees in shady spots may not require as much water as trees in sunny areas. Automatic irrigation systems must be monitored continuously and turned off during periods of heavy rainfall. Apply water in the early morning or late evening to avoid quick evaporation that would occur during warmer daylight hours.

Many cities hire students in the summer months for the sole purpose of watering newly installed trees. Most students have a pickup truck pulling a water tank, or with the tank and hose in the bed of the truck. The truck goes to newly install trees and fills the water bags or tree saucers. Some cities have students on bicycles pulling a water tank on a trailer welded to the rear of the bike.

Many new major construction projects are calling for new sidewalks, storm drains, and trees. When this opportunity arises, the arborist must request that soil cells be installed under the sidewalks and perforated pipes be installed between the catch basins and the new trees. This allows the tree to have a large area of soil that will allow the tree to grow to mature size and to be watered with street runoff water every time it rains. This technique also cleans the surplus water passing through the soil, before it enters the municipal stormwater system.

Fall Watering
To prevent or reduce the incidence of winter injury (winter browning on conifers in particular), arborists have adopted the practice of thoroughly soaking their woody plants just prior to soil freeze-up. This implies that trees will need to replace moisture lost via transpiration in winter.

But there are two problems with this long-standing recommendation:

In climates with severe winters, it is unlikely that shallow rooted trees would have the opportunity to replace lost moisture since the soil is frozen from early December until sometime in March.
Cold hardiness research has shown slight moisture stress accelerates cold acclimation, and lower tissue water levels frequently correspond to greater low temperature tolerance. Researchers have demonstrated plant root tissues become more resistant to water uptake and/or translocation during the onset of cold acclimation.

Sources

Donahue, Michelle Z., “Flowers can hear buzzing bees”, National Geographic, January 15, 2019.
Barton, Amy J. and Christopher S. Walsh, "Effect Of Transplanting On Water Relations And Canopy Development", Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 18(4), 202-206, 2000.
Clatterbuck, Wayne K., "Post-Planting Tree Care: Fallacies and Recommendations", Agricultural Extension Service, The University of Tennessee, 2007.
Fortier, Joseph, "Arbor Irrigation", Arbor Age, Vol. 14, No. 5, p. 43-45, May 1994.
Gilman, Edward F., "Planting trees in landscapes", Environmental Horticulture Department, IFAS, University of Florida, 2008.
Gilman, E.F., R.J. Black, and B. Dehgan, “Irrigation volume and frequency and tree size affect establishment rate”, Journal of Arboriculture 24(1):1-9.
Kozlowski, T.T., “Soil moisture and absorption of water by tree roots”, Journal of Arboriculture 13(2):39-46.
Pellett, H., R. Hummel, and L. Mainquist, “Relationship of fall watering practice to winter injury of conifers”, Journal of Arboriculture 6(6):146-149, 1980.
Trowbridge, Peter J. and Nina L. Bassuk, "Trees in the Urban Landscape", John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
Watson, G. and G. Himelick, “The planting basics”, American Nurseryman 187(10):40-44, 1998.

Editor's note: Any products mentioned in this article are for information purposes only. This mention does not indicate an endorsement or approval of any product to the exclusion of others.

The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.

ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.

*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, 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.

Canopy Height from 1650 to 2019 Edited by Len Phillips

“By clearing America of woods,” Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Americans were Scouring our Planet and so making this Side of our Globe reflecting a brighter Light to the Eyes of the Inhabitants of Mars or Venus”. Franklin and other colonists agreed in 1763 that “cleared land absorbs heat and melts snow quicker,” but Franklin believed that years of observations would be necessary before anyone could make any conclusion about the effect of deforestation on local climate. He was right. In 2019, 255 years later, scientists were just beginning to understand how much land use can change the weather. A series of maps were created by researchers to determine how much the landscape of the eastern United States changed between 1650 and 2019.

The Ancient Forest: 1650
The date of 1650 was selected to show what the US looked like after Native American land use had declined in the wake of disease brought by early Europeans but before the expansion of colonial farms moved inland from the coast. A plant geographer in the mid-1900s spent his career painstakingly mapping the distribution of plants across the United States. This study considered soil types and climate to determine what kind of vegetation would have been growing in the United States if the land had been left undisturbed by human activities. This study determined that forests in the White Mountains of New Hampshire had an average tree height of 30–65 feet (10-20 meters) and in the Deep South, a 50-year-old loblolly pine forest had reached 100 feet (30 meters).

Fields and Forests: 1850
To determine what had changed over the first 200 years of European settlement, researchers turned to the first quantitative record of land cover in the United States using the 1850 census. The researchers decided the best way to map out the fraction of changed and unchanged land was to use the percent of a county’s land that fell into each of four “land use intensity” categories: highland agriculture and lowland agriculture (based on “farmland” estimates from the census and topographic data, forest-village disturbance and old-growth forest based on population density data. These maps revealed how much impact people were having on the landscape in each county and how much area of the pre-colonization land cover remained. From there, the scientists could calculate how the climate-relevant characteristics had changed.

The resulting maps showed drastic changes in the landscape. Most of the coastal forest had disappeared, particularly in New England, the mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Midwest. A line of virgin forest traced the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, and much of the southern forest remained intact. The Upper Midwest was starting its transformation to farmland. The western frontier, west of the Mississippi, remained relatively untouched. All would be entirely transformed in the era that followed the US Civil War, changes that became evident in the agricultural census of 1920.

Cities, Farms, and Forests: 1920
By 1920, the tall forest was entirely gone, replaced by cities and farms. People were intensively using most of the land in the eastern United States. The age of mechanized agriculture had dawned, and farms were supporting a much higher population base. Although much of the old-growth forest had given way to crops and pastures or villages and cities, forests were re-growing in farm woodlots and previously logged areas, and semi-natural vegetation was beginning to reclaim abandoned farms.

The Forest Returns: 2019
The modern-day land cover and biophysical parameter maps in large part were derived from an analysis of the USGS National Land Cover Dataset, which is based on Landsat satellite data. Between 1920 and 2019, the forest began to regrow, but the overall canopy remained much shorter. Canopy height and surface roughness ranged from a maximum tree height in 1650 to a minimum height in 1920 and to a partial recovery by 2019. Today, there is very little forest in the East that is like the pre-settlement forest.

On a personal note, this author lived next door to his grandfather's farm which was cut every year for hay to feed his animals. Shortly after his death, the land was given to the Town for conservation purposes and today, 50 years later, the low canopy forest has returned.

The Future
Taking this study of the forest to the next step, researchers want to see how the change in forests effected changes to the environment. Preliminary results show that temperature changes vary by region and county. As experiments go forward, the weather-related consequences of past land use decisions will become clearer. We may learn something about how the land use decisions we make today will affect the weather tomorrow. We know that leaving or planting a swath of native forest within our cities or suburbs will be a factor to moderate local weather and influence global warming.

Franklin might now ask, “If Americans transformed the entire eastern forest into farmland, making this Side of our Globe reflect a brighter light, will that large-scale change affect the weather?” Trees slow down the rush of wind over the land, they transpire water vapor and soak up energy and light during photosynthesis, and, as Franklin observed, they reflect light into space. All these interactions influence local weather patterns, and if you change the character of what is growing on the land by converting a forest to a farm, for instance, you can change weather patterns as well.

NASA and USGS scientists have combed through both historical and modern records of vegetation to characterize the biophysical parameters for the creation of the series of images that show the biophysical parameters of canopy height. These biophysical parameter maps are now being added to regional climate models to study the impact of land cover change on the climate. To read more about how these researchers and the reconstructed past land cover, and to see the maps they created, click here or read “Ancient Forest to Modern City: Mapping Landscape Change in the United States”, a feature article on the Earth Observatory. Another source reports a map of trees created by NASA that shows all the trees in the US.

Sources

Boyle, Louise, “NASA maps trees”, Daily Mail, January 17, 2012.
Earth Observatory. “Benjamin Franklin”, 2008.
Riebeek, Holli, “Ancient Forest to Modern City: Mapping Landscape Change in the United States”, Earth Observatory, February 1, 2008.
Steyaert, L. T., and Knox, R.G., “Reconstructed historical land cover and biophysical parameters for studies of land-atmosphere interactions within the eastern United States”, Journal of GeophysicalResearch, 113, D02101, doi: 10.1029/2006JD008277, 2008.
Williams, M. “Americans and their Forests: A Historical Geography”, Cambridge University Press. 1989.

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, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, or BCMA science and practice credits.

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Trees with Tales
by Len Phillips

The Tree
Crataegus monogyna 'Biflora', commonly called Glastonbury Thorn is a form of the common hawthorn, sometimes incorrectly called Crataegus oxyacantha var. praecox, found originally in and around Glastonbury, Somerset, England, but is now available in nurseries around the globe. The tree is also called the holy thorn.

The Glastonbury thorn grows to be 30 feet (9m) tall and 15 feet (5m) wide. The English Hawthorn parent, Crataegus monogyna, has always been one of the most beautiful trees in the Rose family. It has clusters of sweet-scented white flowers which produce red berries that ripen in autumn. The tree is a boon to wildlife, supporting many moths, butterflies, and types of birds. The tree has stiff horizontal limbs and attractive yellowish-green bark that brandish numerous thorns. Its glossy leaves are dark green. Hawthorns are quick growing, and once established, tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions: wind, wet, sun, shade, drought, & chalk type soil. This tree does best in USDA Hardiness Zone 5 – 7 and AHS Heat Zone 7 – 1, and in well-drained soil and full sun. It grows poorly in regions with hot humid summers, but it makes a lovely specimen or hedging tree with year-round interest.

The Tales
Unlike ordinary hawthorn trees, the Glastonbury thorn has flowers twice a year, hence the name "biflora". The first time it blooms is in winter, around the time of Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus and the second time in spring around the time of Easter on the anniversary of his resurrection. The trees in the Glastonbury area have been propagated by grafting to C. monogyna root stock since ancient times.

According to legend, Saint Joseph of Arimathea, who according to the Gospel gave his own tomb to hold the body of Jesus, was later driven from his home in the Holy Land, by the Romans. This action made him begin a journey of conversion. He went to Glastonbury, England to unite the Holy Grail with King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere who are now buried beneath the Church of St. John in Glastonbury. The Holy Grail is the cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper and the one used by Joseph to catch his blood as he hung on the cross. Upon their arrival at Weary-all Hill, also known as Wirrial Hill, next to the Church of St. John, he and his 12 companions laid down to rest. As he did so, he thrust his staff, made from the common hawthorn wood, into the hill. When they woke up, the staff had taken root and had begun to grow leaves. In other versions of this legend, Joseph's staff was made from the wood of the cross, or it had belonged to Christ himself. Regardless of the legends, Joseph of Arimathea's staff is the source of the Glastonbury thorn, and he is credited with the beginning of Christianity in Britain, and he has appeared in written texts since the medieval period.

Also, according to legend, the Glastonbury Thorn is said to have flowered on every Christmas day for 2,000 years. The original tree has been propagated and replaced several times, with one tree growing at the Glastonbury Abbey and a sibling growing in the yard of the Church of St John. The "original" Glastonbury thorn was cut down and burned as a relic of superstition during the English Civil War. Another one installed on Wearyall Hill in 1951 had to be replaced after its branches were cut off in 2010. There are several similar reports of killing and the replacement of the Glastonbury thorn on the grounds of Glastonbury Church since the original tree began. Only trees budded or grafted from the original exist, and these trees blossom twice a year, in May at Easter and in December at Christmas. The blossoms of the Christmas shoots are usually much smaller than the May flowers and do not produce any fruits. Plants grown from the fruits of these trees do not retain the characteristics of the parent stem, only cuttings carry this trait of flowering twice a year.

The custom of sending a budded branch of the Glastonbury thorn to the British Queen at Christmas was initiated by James Montague, Bishop of Bath and Wells during James I's reign around 1620, who sent a branch to Queen Anne who was King James I's consort. The thorn was also featured on British stamps of the 12 pence and 13 pence Christmas postage stamps in 1986.

The blossom sent to the Queen is part of a ceremony where the Mayor of Glastonbury, Somerset, the vicar from the Church of St John, and the pupils of St John’s Infants School gather round the tree in St John’s parish churchyard. They sing carols, including one specially written for the occasion, and the oldest pupil has the privilege of cutting a branch off the Glastonbury thorn that is then taken to London and presented to Her Majesty the Queen for the Royal Table on Christmas Day.

Young trees have found their way into important collections and gardens. Direct descendants are said to grow in the New York Botanical Garden, New York's Central Park, at Washington Cathedral in Toronto, and at several sites throughout Europe. This hawthorn has the ability to live for hundreds of years because is believed to be inhabited by a great spirit which imbued it with magical healing powers.

Appreciate the Glastonbury Thorn for its age, resilience, and religious significance.

Sources

Dirr, Michael, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Stipes Publishing Co., 1990.
Learn 2 Grow, Crataegus monogyna, Plant Search, 2017.
Wikipedia, Glastonbury thorn, October 2, 2019.

Trees and Deer
by Mike Gaunya

Deer, like children, are beautiful creatures. They are wonderful to watch as they play, fight, or gracefully run in the woods or yards. Like children, deer also like to eat… and eat… and eat! An average deer consumes seven pounds of food per day so they can quickly destroy trees and shrubs as they forage for food. In one night, a small herd of deer can decimate a lot of decorative trees in an unprotected landscape. Fortunately, like children, deer can be taught what is right or wrong; or in this case, what we don’t want them eating from what they may eat without protest.

The trees, shrubs, and plants that most deer will pass by in the woods as undesirable, are often in the same family as the plants that deer will prefer in the landscape. So, how do we keep deer from eating the desirable landscape plants?

Deterrents
There are a number of deterrents such as deer fencing and physical barriers, as well as taste and smell deterrents that let people “train” the deer to leave desirable trees and plants alone.

Fencing: When you use a fencing product, you limit access to the plant for people as well as the deer. Furthermore, fences are often unsightly and even the strongest fence may be damaged by weather or deer if they try to jump over it. A heavy snowfall or ice can bring a fence down pretty fast, and deer that get too close to a fence can snag hooves and/or antlers fairly easily which quickly results in major damage to the fence. One day of a compromised fence can undo months of diligent effort by the landscape caretaker as deer move into an area and devastate many desirable trees and shrubs in one night.

Taste repellents: Products such as capsaicin and chemicals like denatonium benzoate or denatonium saccharide have been incorporated into many of the currently available deterrent blends. Some examples include Golden Grow Guardian and Repellex. Both are systemic, which means they are drawn up through the roots causing the plant to taste foul once the deer bites into the leaf or needle.

Smell: Lately, herbs that have a strong smell, such as garlic and cinnamon, are being used as a deterrent. Most of these deterrents are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and can be sprayed on fruit trees.

Blend repellents: Arborists have used anti-desiccants for years to protect plants from dry conditions and frosts as well as diseases and insects. Some examples include Transfilm, Everguard®, and Wilt Pruf. In recent years, anti-desiccants blended with animal protein, such as dried egg, have been used to curb deer browse on trees.

Climatic Factors: It is important to remember with these approaches that temperature becomes a factor when mixing the ingredients. In the winter, freezing is the obvious main factor as water makes up 75% of most of these mixtures. In the summer, an animal protein in the mixture needs to be stabilized to prevent bacteria that will start growing within hours.

Commercial Sprays: This is the most reliable, safe, and proven method of application control. Most commercial sprays such as Everguard® and Deer Away offer a five-gallon container of concentrate which not only makes up to thirty-five gallons of finished product, but are very economical. With a spray deterrent, it is possible to “train” deer to bypass treated plants completely. Typically, a doe will nibble on a treated plant and decide it does not smell or taste good. So, the next time she comes into the landscape, she will ignore these plants and teach her fawns to ignore them as well.

Testing: It has determined that not all repellents are created equal. The arborist should check the percentage level of a product to determine the active ingredient levels because heavily diluted products do not work as well. Also, for safety sake, the arborist should always use an EPA or EPA exempt registered product. When applying these products, be sure to check your state regulations because the states can supersede federal laws.

How Commercial Sprays work
When deterrents are sprayed on the plants, the product will dry, and lock in the animal proteins for a taste that deer will find repulsive. For example, DeerPro, Everguard®, and Bobbex products are deterrents that are specifically formulated to erode off the plants over time. Rain and snow is supposed to reactivate the products to continue its effectiveness. Since most of these products are designed to last 6-8 weeks per application, one application will not cover an entire season. Using a product that lasts longer than 8 weeks requires fewer applications but can interfere with the plants transpiration, making it difficult for the plant to breath, causing damage to the plant. Multiple applications are then necessary to protect the longevity of the plant protection.

There are two seasons for applications, winter and summer. Winter applications begin in early September and end in March while April through August is the standard summer application. The application percentages are different in winter and summer, as it is necessary to allow the natural plant growth to take place in summer.

In the springtime, trees and plants grow very quickly. It is important to cover the new growth because deer will continue to ‘test’ plants, like children ‘test’ their parents. However, most summer formulas are thinner and last a shorter duration in order to not interfere with plant growth and flowering.

Combination Approaches
In recent years, many individuals have started to use a combination of repellents – not only liquid repellent combinations but also incorporating the spray program with fencing. Although this requires maintenance of the systems, it helps ensure protection throughout the year. Many retail garden center outlets have an extensive supply of fencing and repellent alternatives.

Everguard® product is better than other repellents for two reasons, one is the blending process. Unlike most brands, it does not clog sprayers, which wastes product and causes the product to come out of the sprayer unevenly. The second reason is the higher concentration of ingredients which allows the product to stick better on all leaf types including small needles.

Please remember some repellent sprays can damage a tree or plant during their growing season by interfering with their transpiration. It is also important to note that geography also plays a part in what deer will eat, so it is essential to cover plants that are known to be deer favorites, regardless of its location or time of year. If you are unsure of what to treat, local universities are great places to do research.

Although most deer repellent sprays do provide adequate protection, the sprays that seem to work the best are the ones that have a multitude of deterrents such as taste and smell. However, the better answer is reinforcing through repeatability. Deer, like children, learn by example.

Mike Gaunya is owner of American Deer Proofing

Editor's note: Any products mentioned in this article are for information purposes only. This mention does not indicate an endorsement or approval of any product to the exclusion of others.

The test that follows contains 10 questions. Before taking the test be sure you have read the article carefully. The passing grade is 80% on the entire test.

ISA will award .5 CEUs* for a passing grade. SAF members will earn 0.5 Cat. 1-CF for every five passing test scores. The cost for taking this test is $10. If you purchase an annual subscription for 15 credits, the cost per credit is reduced by 50% (see Annual Subscription link below). We will report all passing test scores to ISA and/or SAF. If you are a member of ISA and SAF we will report your passing test scores to both for no additional cost. Please be sure to add both of your certification numbers when you sign in. Tests with passing scores may be submitted only once to each organization.

*Members of ISA may apply the 0.5 CEUs toward Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker/Climber, Tree Worker/Aerial Lift, 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.