Arboricultural site analysis preparation The best friend on
Arboricultural site analysis & preparation “The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the earth” Frank Lloyd Wright Prepared by Dr. Teri Hamlin Georgia Department of Education For the Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office May, 2002 August 2008
August 2008
Trees • Beautify our surroundings – Offer a wide range of forms, textures, seasonal color – Define our outdoor space, frames a view – One acre of forest absorbs 6 tons of carbon dioxide & puts out 4 tons of oxygen (enough to meet annual needs of 18 people) August 2008
• Save Energy – Net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. – Properly placed trees around building can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% & can save 20 % in energy used in heating • Increase property values – Trees planted around existing home can boost market value 6 -7 % – Healthy mature trees add an average of 10% to a property’s value August 2008
Selecting the Right Place for the Right Tree • • • Evaluating site attributes Potential site modifications Tree Management Capabilities Desirable Tree Attributes Selection of Appropriate Tree August 2008
Hardiness Zone August 2008
Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS • Sun Exposure – Full sun – Part shade – Shade August 2008
Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS • Slope Exposure – Thin Bark Trees (Cherry, Plums, Maples, Ash) planted on South & West Slopes bark split from direct sun & dry conditions • Coat trunks with white latex or truck wraps to reflect light August 2008
Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS • Wind – increases the amount of water loss from a tree – big problem if root space is limited or poorly drained soil (lack of root development) – Select a species tolerant of drought August 2008
• Overhead Wires – Cost utility companies (ultimately us) more than 1 billion dollars to trim tree branches August 2008
Above the Ground SITE ANALYSIS • Buildings – – one-sided, unbalanced root system compact, clay soil shallow root system hazardous conditions as tree matures Select: • Tree with open or narrow canopy • Small to Medium size trees • Plant a grove if canopy of shade is desired August 2008
Below the Ground SITE ANALYSIS • • Soil Texture Soil p. H & Fertility Drainage Underground obstacles to root growth • Appreciate how far roots can extend August 2008
• A. Because roots need oxygen, they don’t grow well in compacted clay soil • B. Framework of major roots lies 8 -12 inches below the surface • C. Roots often grow outward to a diameter one two times the height of the tree August 2008
Clay Soil vs. • p. H • Texture • Well Drained • Fertile August 2008 Good Soil
Soil p. H • p. H governs the availability of nutrients & activity level of microorganisms August 2008
p. H Test August 2008
p. H • Most Trees can grow in a soil p. H 5. 0 - 7. 0 • Low p. H < than 5. 0 (acidic soil) – Dolomite or Limestone • High p. H > 7. 0 (alkaline soil) – Ammonium sulfate , Aluminum sulfate, Sulfuric acid August 2008
Soil Texture A soil factor that limits tree growth • Fine Texture Clay – compact – poorly drained – low oxygen • # 1 cause of tree decline in North Georgia August 2008
Test Soil Drainage Dig & Fill with water several 12” deep holes Good Drainage: water drains in 2 hours Fair Drainage: water drains in several hours Poor Drainage: 8 -10 hours water still there August 2008
Compact Soil • Select Wet-Site Tolerant Trees – American Hornbeam, Sweet Gum, Sumac, Redbuds, Bald Cypress, Weeping Willow, River birch, Red & Silver Maple, Sawtooth, Water & Willow Oak, Sweetbay Magnolia, Loblolly Pine • Avoid Tree with Aggressive Root Systems • form surface roots which disturb mowing, sidewalks, etc… • Red & Silver Maple, Beech, Ash, Walnut, Sweetgum, Popular, Oak, Weeping Willow, Pecan August 2008
Improving Drainage Before Planting • Area should be turned and dug to a minimum depth of 12 inches and minimum width of 2 x the canopy August 2008
Organic Materials Improve Drainage mixed at least top 12” of area • Decomposed – Animal Manure – Bark – Peat Moss • Grass Clippings – Leaves – Wood Chips – Sewage Sludge What makes a difference? 50 lbs per 100 sq ft August 2008
Compost August 2008
Elevate Beds Increase drainage Decrease soil compaction 30% great growth Thoroughly mix amendments with native soil Break subsoil and hardpans August 2008
Improve Soil Compaction • After Establishment – Coring Machine – Verti-Drain / Vertical Mulching • (dig 2 -3’ deep trenches out from tree & refill with soil) – Pitch fork – Gypsum applications • (if compaction caused by sodium saturated exchange in soil) August 2008
Newly developed sites • Plan before construction begins • Don’t allow debris to be buried • Work with contractors to prevent excessive soil compaction in future landscape areas August 2008
Tree Selection • Determine Max Tree Size at Planting – Irrigation only during establishment • Small size nursery stock w/ small tops – Allows roots to come into balance with tree soon after planting • Drought - tolerant trees – (Redbud, Eastern Red Cedar, Lacebark Elm, Crape Myrtle, Ginkgo, Sumac, Golden-rain tree, Sycamore, Live, Chestnut & Sawtooth Oak, Locust) – Irrigation regularly • Any tree - Any size August 2008
August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes • Mature size – Large trees provide shade to large open spaces – Medium trees shade on buildings – Small trees good for next to building, deck, patio provide little shade • showy trunks, fruits, foliage, flowers • Longevity – Large trees live longer than small trees August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes Match Tree Form to Function August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes • Canopy Density – denser canopy = more shade, better screen, less noise • Foliage – deciduous versus evergreen • Growth Rate – fast versus slow • Wood Strength – brittle wood, narrow/wood crotches August 2008
Desirable Tree Attributes • Insect & Disease Resistant • New Varieties – Kousa Dogwood – Crape Myrtle • Disease Resistant (Apalachee, Lipan, Cherokee) • Dwarf (less 3’) Petite Embers, Orchid, Pinkie – Chinese Fringe Tree August 2008
Tree Selection • Weak crotches have bark included in trunks • Strong crotches are wider, without bark August 2008
Tree Selection One Central Leader with branches evenly spaced August 2008
Tree Selection August 2008
August 2008
Root Ball Defects Effect Growth & Survival of Tree • Kinked roots • Lack of roots • Circling surface roots • Tree planted too deep in field or container cuts off oxygen to roots & trunk rot • Root Rot August 2008
August 2008
Tree Selection Trunk Form • Strong Trunks taper & thickest near ground • Do not require stake to support them August 2008
Tree Selection Trunk Form August 2008
Tree Selection • Insects & Diseases August 2008
Avoid Trees with… • • • Trunk injury and broken branches Trunk Wrap Smaller, Lighter than normal leaves Dead tips (Die-back) Stakes (tree should stand on its own) Weeds in rootball August 2008
Arboriculture planting & management “No shade tree? Blame not the sun but yourself. ” -Chinese Proverb August 2008
Tree establishment • 3 most common causes of poor tree establishment – planting too deep – under watering – over watering August 2008
Fall is the best time of year to plant roots continue to grow and establish through the winter months August 2008
Before Planting • Water plants in thoroughly • Bare root plants should be soaked 3 -6 hours August 2008
Inspect & Tease Roots • Remove burlap and fabric containers August 2008
Planting • If a tree is planted correctly, it will grow twice as fast and live at least twice as long as one that is incorrectly planted • Well drained soils: – top of root ball even with soil line • Poorly drained soils: – top of root ball slightly higher than soil line August 2008
Planting • Ideally dig or till an area the same depth and approx. 5 x the diameter of the root ball August 2008
Planting • Backfilling with loosened original soil • Tamp lightly to eliminate air pockets • Add soil until even with top of root ball • Do not cover root ball with soil August 2008
Planting • Construct 1 -2” soil berm at edge of root ball to entrap irrigation water • For newly planted trees, water directly on root ball • After establishment: remove berm to encourage root growth August 2008
Transplanting • Timing: Dormant stage of plant • Keep as much soil around roots as possible • Don’t let the root ball dry out • Handle plant by the ball, not the trunk or branches August 2008
Mulch A tree’s best friend • • • Insulates soil Retains moisture Keeps weeds out Prevents soil compaction Reduces lawn mower / weedeater damage • Adds an aesthetic touch August 2008
Mulch August 2008
Mulch • Max depth of 2 -4” • Do not touch the trunk • Mulch too deep can lead to – trunk & crown rot – poor root ball aeration August 2008
Ground Cloth under Mulch ? ? ? August 2008
Establishment Period August 2008
Irrigation How much ? How often? • During establishment – Minimum of 1” of water per week Water between 9 p. m. & 9 a. m. August 2008
Types of Irrigation • Sprinkler • Micro Sprinkler • Drip Irrigation August 2008
Drip Irrigation Uses 30 -50% less water Efficient and effective application Fewer pest problems Fewer weeds No wind effects Easily automated Economic to install August 2008
Drip Irrigation August 2008
Drip Irrigation August 2008
Time Clock August 2008
Xeriscape Water Management Practices August 2008
Staking • Good - quality trees do not require staking • When to stake: – Windy Location – Top Heavy – Plants 8’ or taller – Weak Trunks – Small Root Ball – Evergreens August 2008
Types of Staking Support weak trunk August 2008 Root ball anchorage
Staking August 2008
Staking • Rubber straps are nicely suited for attaching stakes to trunks • Wire threaded through hose can girdle plant if left to long • Never leave a plant staked for more than one growing season August 2008
Trunk Protection • Little protection against insect & disease • Some sun scald protection for thin bark plants • Uneven wraps w/exposed bark = temp difference in trunk tissue • Products : – Paper Wrap – Burlap – Plastic – White Latex Paint August 2008
Trunk Wraps • If used, wrap from the bottom of the tree toward the top overlapping material • Use electrical tape or flexible adhesive versus string August 2008
Fertilizer • Nitrogen • Phosphorus • Potassium Landscape plants needs should be based on Soil Sample August 2008
Forms of Slow-release Nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen IBDU (Isobutylene diurea) Sulfur-coated urea Ureaformaldehyde August 2008
General Recommendation August 2008
Types of Fertilizer • Sources: – Inorganic – Organic • Formation: – Dry / Granular – Liquid – Slow-release August 2008
How to Apply Fertilizer August 2008
Fertilizer Burn August 2008
When to Fertilizer • Main Meal – Slow Release ( 1 time per year) – General Purpose (2 -3 x per growing season) • Dessert – During active growth (Spring-Summer) – Liquid • Soil drench • Foliage Spray August 2008
Weed Management • Mechanical • Chemical – Pre-emergent Herbicide • Surflan, Treflan, Ronstar, Balan – Post-emergent Herbicide • Selective – Kills grasses in shrubs & flowers (Poast) – Kills broadleaf weeds in lawns (MSMA, Trimec) • Non-Selective (Round up) August 2008
Arboriculture Pruning The appearance of a properly pruned plant is like a good hair cut: hardly noticeable at first glance. August 2008
Pruning • Pruning at Planting: – If quality plant stock, pruning is not necessary • Do not prune to compensate for root loss – latest research show pruning does not help overcome transplant shock August 2008
Why Prune • Removal of dead, broken, diseased, or insectinfested branches • Maintain desired shape & size • Promote healthy, vigorous growth • Promote flowering & fruiting August 2008
Pruning Tools Sharp & Sterile August 2008
Making the Cut Directional Pruning August 2008
Making the Cut August 2008
Pruning Technique Heading Removes a part of a shoot August 2008 Thinning Removes the entire shoot or limb
Rejuvenating Restores overgrown shrubs Cut all branches 4 -8” above ground August 2008
Pruning Time General Rule • Plants that flower before May – Prune after bloom • Azalea, Dogwood, Forsythia, Redbud, Rhododendron, Clematis, Saucer Magnolia, Flowering Cherry, Climbing roses • Plants that flower after May – Prune prior to spring growth • Camellia, Chaste Tree, Crape Myrtle, Nandina, Sweetshrub, Abelia, Sourwood, Floribunda roses August 2008
North Georgia Pruning Time January - March • Broadleaf evergreen • Needleaf evergreen • Renewal Pruning • Large Tree Limbs August 2008
A. Remove suckers B. Remove low growing branches that interfere with maintenance practices C. Remove upright growing shoots or waterspouts D. Remove inward growing branches E. Remove branches that compete with a leader August central 2008 Pruning Young Trees
Crown Thinning No more than 1/4 of the living branches should be removed at one time August 2008
Crown Raising • Remove branch from bottom to provide clearance • After pruning the ratio of living crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds August 2008
Crown Reduction Ratio of live crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds Never cut main branches of tree back to stubs August 2008 (Topping Trees)
Large Limbs A. Make partial cut from underneath B. Make a second cut from above several inches out – allows the limb to fall C. Complete job with final cut just outside the branch collar August 2008
Pruning Limbs An Improper Cut made through the branch collar will take 3 x longer to heal August 2008
Pruning Paint “Placebo” - making the user feel good Research shows that paint or wound dressings do not stop decay nor cause the wound to close faster Successful Pruning Correct Tools Correct Time Correct Technique August 2008
Trees • Add interest to the landscape – Seasonal Color – Foliage Texture and Form • Hardy – Temperature – Drought – Insect & Disease • Easy to maintain August 2008
Fringe Tree • Height: 10 -15’ • Width: 8 -10’ • May Frangrant Blooms, fall berries • Sun- Semi sun August 2008 • Varieties : “Grancy Gray beard, Chinese Fringe Tree
Serviceberry August 2008
Crape Myrtle • Height: 3 -20’ • Width: 3 -15’ • July - August flowers, bark, foliage • Sun • Varieties : disease resistant – Natchez, Muskogee, Yuma, Lipan, Tonto, Powhata, Sioux August 2008
Eastern Redbud • Height: 20 -30’ • Width: 25 -35’ • Early Spring • Sun- Semi sun • Varieties : – Alba: white blooms – Forest pansy: purple leaves – Silver Cloud: variegated leaves August 2008
Deciduous Magnolia • Height: 10 -20’ • Width: 10 -15’ • Early Spring Blooms • Sun • Varieties : Royal Star August 2008
American Yellowwood • Height: 30 -50’ • Width: 40 -50’ • Bright Yellow in Fall, Fragrant flowers in spring -early summer • Sun-part shade • Varieties: Rosea, Sweetshade August 2008
Kousa Dogwood • Height: 10 -20’ • Width: 10 -20’ • May Blooms, fall berries • Sun- Semi sun • Varieties : Milky way, Summer Stars, Moonbean August 2008
Red-Osier Dogwood • Height: 8 -10’ • Width: 8 -10’ • Spring Blooms, Fall Red foliage, Winterest stems • Sun- Semi sun • Varieties : Cardinal, Flaviramea, Golden Twig August 2008
Japanese Maple • Height: 2 -20’ • Width: 4 -20’ • Foliage Red-Purple -Green • Direct morning sun & afternoon shade • Bloodgood, Beni Hime, Crimson Queen August 2008
Trident Maple • Height: 15 -25’ • Width: 10 -20’ • Multi stem trunk • Sun- Semi sun • Form and Fall Foliage August 2008
Maples August 2008
Sourwood • Height: 25 -40’ • Width: 15 -20’ • Good Fall Color, Flowers in summer • Sun August 2008
Vitex Chaste Tree • Height: 8 -10’ • Width: 8 -10’ • Summer Blooms • Sun • Varieties : Latifolia, Alba August 2008
River Birch • Height: 20 -50’ • Width: 20 -30’ • Multi stem and trunk • Sun • Dry to Wet Soil • Varieties : “Heritage” August 2008
• Flowering Cherry Height: 15 -20’ • Width: 15 -25’ • Spring Blooms • Sun • Varieties : • Kwanzan: ‘Royal Burgandy’ • Yoshino: Shidare (weeps) August 2008
Ornamental Pear • Height: 20 -30’ • Width: 15 -25’ • Spring Blooms • Sun August 2008
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