Tree Biology and Tree Measurement Volunteer Forester Course

Tree Biology and Tree Measurement Volunteer Forester Course 2, Class 1 Kasey Krouse Urban Forester kkrouse@knoxvilletn. gov

How Trees Grow Cells, Tissues (cells with similar functions), and Organs What are the five organs of trees?

How trees grow Cells, Tissues (cells with similar functions), and Organs What are the five organs of trees: Flowers Fruits Leaves Stems Roots

How trees grow: Meristems Primary Meristem- roots and shoots Secondary Meristem- cambium and cork cambium

Vascular System of a Tree

Xylem Made up of living and dead cells Tracheids, fibers, parenchyma cells, and vessels (hardwood) Physical and biological properties of different trees are related to arrangement of cells in xylem 4 main functions 1. Conduct water and dissolved minerals (sapwood) 2. Support the weight of the tree 3. Store Carbohydrates 4. Defense against the spread of disease and decay

How do Growth Rings Work? Seasonal production of xylem As season goes cells get smaller Ring Porous (oaks, walnuts, and elms) Fuse Porous (maples and sycamore)

Phloem Movement of sugars from leaves Composed primarily of live cells (unlike xylem) Transport requires energy and through pressure gradients Old Phloem dissolved into tree or pushed into bark(relative small area compared to xylem)

Stomata and Guard Cells Stomata or small openings in the leaves CO 2 absorbed through stomata Water vaper and O 2 is released through stomata (Transpiration) Transpiration draws up water through xylem

Photosynthesis Important to understand the inputs and outputs Sugars among other product (Starch, lipids, proteins, Cellulose, allelochemicals) Oxygen is a byproduct of photosynthesis through stomata

Respiration Process of turning food created from photosynthesis into energy Many processes within trees use energy and contribute to respiration If respiration occurs without photosynthesis, tree moves into stored reserves If reserves run out, so does the tree

Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees (CODIT)

CODIT

Case 1: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 2: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 3: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 4: How have these trees been impacted?

Case 5: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 6: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 7: How has this tree been impacted?

Case 8: How has this tree been impacted?

Soil and Water

Know the Soil Samples ($8. 75 to $30. 00) Planting Projects (up to $50, 000) Compaction Tester p. H meter Soil probe

Soil Relations and Water Management Ideal soil conditions

Soil Profile

Reality for Urban Forestry

Soil is where tree grow What are three basic soil mineral particles?

Soil Texture Triangle 3 types of particles make up 12 different soil textures

Soil Aggregates are formed as soil weathers, microorganisms move around/decompose, and organic materials are consumed. Soil aggregates will determine available water and air = ROOT GROWTH If aggregates are compacted: Oxygen reduced Water percolation is reduced Root growth is reduces

What soil are most susceptible to compaction?

Soil Chemical Properties p. H is a measure of acidity and alkalinity Logarithmic function (p. H of 8 is 10 times more alkaline than p. H of 9) p. H level affects chemical properties (deficiency and toxicity) Buffering capacity or resistance to change p. H (clay and high organics)

Soil p. H • Lime raises p. H; Difficult to lower p. H (sulfur) • Soil amendments are not always feasible • Choose species that fit the environment

Soil p. H • • • • Tolerant of Low p. H Pin oaks- Quercus palustris Willow oaks- Quercus phellos Loblolly pine- Pinus taeda Carolina silverbell- Halesia carolina Blackgum- Nyssa silvatica River birch- Betula nigra Flowering dogwood- Cornus florida Tolerant of High p. H Ginkgo- Ginkgo biloba Eastern redbud- Cercis canadensis Catalpa- Catalpa speciosa Hardy rubbertree- Eucommia ulmoides Kentucky coffeetree- Gymnocladus dioicus Elm spp. - Ulmus spp.

Cation Exchange Capacity Measure of how well soil attracts, holds, and exchanges positive charged ions (cations). Higher CEC = More fertile soil Lower CEC = More leaching

Soil Moisture Field Capacity- when gravitational water has drained away Wilting Point- point where plant cannot pull water (water adhesion to other water and soil)

Soil Drainage Percolation- water movement through the soil Infiltration Rate- Clay verse Sand When to water slowly? It is much easier to kill a plant with water than to kill a plant without water Topography Drainage tests- percolation test Plants roots need water and oxygen

Understanding the Root System of a Tree

Understand how roots grow 1. Think Water and oxygen 2. 24 inches deep 3. 2 to 3 times the width of the dripline

Water for thought What happens if tree enters drought right after period of high moisture content? Do all trees tolerate drought and flooding the same? What happens with frequent shallow water? What happens with infrequent deep water?

Watering Techniques Gator Bag (pros/cons) Irrigation System (pros/ cons) Mulch (pros/ cons) Buckets and hoses (pros/cons) No watering (pros/cons) http: //www. bing. com/videos/search? q=watering+trees&&view=detail&mid=BB 8 C 8 F F 9 A 7 F 53 FFFF 97 ABB 8 C 8 FF 9 A 7 F 53 FFFF 97 A&&FORM=VRDGAR