Science Of Arboriculture

Are the world’s urban forests losing their big trees? Is there an ideal distribution of tree size in an urban forest? Justin Morgenroth of the New Zealand School of Forestry looks at ten years of data and compares guidelines for urban forestry management in this edition of Science of Arboriculture (A,M,Bm)

Trees in the Northeast United States were hammered not once, but twice in the past few years, with hurricanes Irene and Sandy devastating both urban and rural forest areas. Richard Gibney, a landscape architect, examines some of the surprising reasons some trees survived and others didn’t. (A,M,Bm)

The Job isn’t finished until the paper work is done! Writing a report properly can mean the difference between winning and losing in a legal battle. Lori Ballard of Samnik & Ballard Tree Consulting walks us through the fine points of reports that follow industry standards, and hold up in deposition and court. (A, M, Bm)

Urban landscapes can be a hostile environment for trees, and when a major city plans sidewalk upgrades the situation often becomes worse. Lisa Hammer, horticulturist and arborist, and Aida Curtis of Curtis and Rogers Design Studio report on a Miami Florida project that takes the trees into account first. (A,M,Bm)

In the arboricultural industry mulching trees is a long standing practice, but is there really science to back up the beneficial claims? Dr. Bert Cregg presents the findings from several Michigan State University studies(A,M,Bs)

Rex Bastian, regional technical advisor with the Davey Tree Expert Company discusses the physiology of trees and how stress affects a tree’s ability to thrive. (A, Bs)

Joe Murray, former college biology professor and certified arborist takes a look at the symbiotic life cycle, and benefits of lichen in today’s forests (A,Bs)

Today’s arborists must often times balance the needs of the community against damage to the environment. Organic pesticides and herbicides are a choice, but just how effective are they? Dr. Linda Chalker Scott looks at the science behind rating their efficacy. (A,U,M,Bs)

How diverse should an urban forest be to reduce the risk of decimating pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, or Dutch Elm Disease? Dr. John Ball presents an eye opening talk on the dangers lurking in many diverse forests today(by John Ball) (A,M,Bm)

Dr. Kim Coder, professor of tree biology and health at the University of Georgia presents an in depth look at the threat, mitigation, and recovery from lightning strikes in both urban and rural forests. (A,U,M,Bs)

More than two years after Super Storm Sandy pounded the east coast of the U.S., recovery efforts are still on-going. Including efforts to bring the rural and urban forests back from incredible storm damage. Join David Johnson of Asplund Tree Expert Company as he looks at the damage done, and recovery attempts made in the hardest hit areas. (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

One of the unseen benefits an urban forest brings to a community is storm water management. A healthy diversified urban forest can extend the life of a cities gray infrastructure over decades. Dr. Peter MacDonagh looks at the incredible job trees perform in handling storm runoff in a city. (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

Dr. Alexia Stokes discusses the many external stressors that affect a tree’s growth and mechanical stability, and how trees naturally adapt themselves to thrive in different environments (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

Urban trees have a substantially shortened life span due to a number of problems, not the least of which is limited access to uncompacted, aerated, fertile soil. The average 4’ X 4’ X 4’ tree pit has less than one tenth the rooting volume needed. L. Peter MacDonagh of Kestrel Design Group, discusses examples of minimum soil volume policies that give arborists the leverage they need to provide trees with adequate useable soil volume. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

As solar energy gains an increasing presence in the developing world, the arboricultural industry has a key opportunity to work hand in hand with installers in both pruning strategies and tree selection. Dan Staley discusses solar smart strategies for today’s urban arborist.(A,U,M,T,L,Bp)

Dr. Alessio Fini of Florence University explains his study into the growth, physiology, and uprooting resistance change experienced by two Urban tree species with different levels of root severance. 96 pre-planted trees were studied over two growing seasons to track the results (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

Green cities are more livable cities, and yet the urban natural resources, and the means we have to manage them, are diminishing. Dr. Weston Brinkley takes a look at a current set of integrated Urban Forest Assessments looking for answers in today’s land management stewardship.(A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

How much soil is enough for a healthy tree? That question has plagued urban foresters for years when planning urban tree planting programs. Nina Bassuk, Ph.D. professor from Cornell University looks at new techniques and new technology being employed in the search for answers. (A,U,T,M,L,Bm)

Biochar, a waste product from the anaerobic heating of biomass, has tremendous potential as a soil amendment for urban soils. Dr. Kelby Fite from the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, presents research data on this re-use of waste materiel improving urban soils. (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

Joris Veoten discusses a completely new structural soil for trees in the urban environment, made from recycled glass and recycled organic material. Experiments have shown Re-Soil maintains structural function and tree growth potential even when installed under pavement. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)