{"title":"Street Tree Diversity in Massachusetts, USA","authors":"F. Cowett, N. Bassuk","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2020.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2020.003","url":null,"abstract":"Pests, disease, and climate change pose major challenges to street tree survival, and diversity in tree species and genera is widely considered to promote the sustainability of municipal street tree populations. Conversely, the lack of sufficient diversity in street tree population was judged a contributing factor in the death and removal of thousands of street trees in Worcester, Massachusetts, that state’s second most populous city, due to an infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB, Anoplophora glabripennis). Therefore, reducing the dominance of prevalent street tree species and genera and increasing tree species and genera diversity are considered vital to sustainable street tree management and to the preservation of the ecosystem services and social benefits that street trees provide. This paper assesses street tree diversity in Massachusetts by analyzing a nonrandom sample of collated municipal street tree inventory data stratified by plant hardiness zones. Consistent with results previously found for Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, results in Massachusetts indicate that a relatively small number of species and genera dominate the composition of most municipal street tree populations, including in particular Acer spp. (maple), one of the ALB’s favorite host genera. There is accordingly a need for greater species and genus diversity in municipal street tree populations statewide. While there may be a trend towards increased street tree diversity and reduction in the dominance of Acer spp., considerable work remains to be done.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":"17 1","pages":"27-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84706444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparing the Missouri Gravel Bed and a Wood Chip Production Method for Tree Growth","authors":"Kelby L. Fite, Liza Holmes, Elden LeBrun","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.029","url":null,"abstract":"Tree root defects from current nursery production practices influence short- and long-term tree performance and survivability. The Missouri Gravel Bed (MGB) system, a production method using gravel as a substrate, has been used to prevent many of these defects from occurring. MGB production involves planting bare root stock into a bed of gravel with frequent drip irrigation in order to produce a root system with relatively few defects. MGB production methods have also been purported to allow for summer transplanting of many species, as opposed to traditional dormant transplanting.Because gravel has low water- and nutrient-holding capacity, biochar (5% by volume) was incorporated into one plot as a possible means of improving both water- and nutrient-holding capacity over gravel alone. Wood chip mulch was also investigated as a growing substrate in place of the gravel in a growing system. In 2015, three species, Quercus bicolor (swamp white oak), Taxodium distichum (baldcypress), and Tilia cordata (littleleaf linden), were studied in pea gravel (PG), biochar-amended pea gravel (BC), and wood chip mulch bed (MB) growing environments. Very few differences occurred over the growing season with above- or belowground parameters indicating that the minimal-to-no-cost, more readily available substrate of wood chip mulch should be considered in these growing systems.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48504425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Landscape Below Ground IV: Introduction to a Special Issue","authors":"G. Watson","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.019","url":null,"abstract":"This special issue is dedicated to research presented at the 2018 Landscape Below Ground IV conference. We describe highlights from the ten original research articles included in this issue. With these articles, we aim to support the advancement of tree care practices and inform managers and policymakers to choose, site, plant, and care for healthier, longer-lived trees by focusing on their critical and vulnerable root systems and the soil that surrounds them.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45814589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Johnson, C. Giblin, Ryan Murphy, Eric North, A. Rendahl
{"title":"Boulevard Tree Failures During Wind Loading Events","authors":"G. Johnson, C. Giblin, Ryan Murphy, Eric North, A. Rendahl","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.022","url":null,"abstract":"Wind loading events vary in their intensity and degree of damage inflicted on urban infrastructure, both green and gray. Damage to urban trees can begin with wind speeds as low as 25 miles per hour, especially when those trees harbor defects that predispose them to structural failures. The tree damage triangle integrates the three main factors that influence tree failures during wind loading events, namely the site characteristics, the (wind) loading event and any defects of the trees in question. The degree of damage that trees experience is generally a function of these factors overlapping each other. For instance, when the potential damage from wind loading events is exacerbated by poor tree architecture and compromised site conditions, the likelihood of significant damage is realized. Two studies on the damage to urban trees and the predictability of damage are reviewed; one study is a longterm gathering of wind loading events and accompanying damage to trees while the other is a case study of one storm in one city on one day. Both studies revealed critical pre-existing conditions that left trees vulnerable to whole tree losses: large trees in limited boulevard widths and severed roots as a result of sidewalk repair.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45019028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Species Variation in Root Tolerance of Soil Compaction and Poor Drainage","authors":"A. Hewitt, F. Balestri, Marvin Lo, G. Watson","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.021","url":null,"abstract":"Loam-over-compacted-clay and loam soil profiles were created in 10 cm × 10 cm × 25 cm containers. Containers were placed in trays of water to simulate poor subsoil drainage in the landscape. Four urban tolerant species, Acer negundo, Catalpa speciosa, Gleditsia triacanthos, Ulmus americana, and two less tolerant species, Quercus rubra and Acer saccharum, were direct seeded in the containers. Soil volumetric water content and oxygen diffusion rate were monitored. At the conclusion of the study, length of fine roots (< 2 mm diameter) was measured throughout the soil profile. Oxygen decreased and moisture increased with soil depth. Fine root density of all species decreased with depth except Ulmus Americana. Catalpa speciose was the only species showing a difference in root growth between soil types throughout the profile and had up to seven times the root density of other species at the surface and up to four times at the bottom. Root growth of most species seemed to be reduced more by high soil moisture and reduced aeration than soil texture and compaction.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49638040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stability Recovery in London Plane Trees Eight Years After Primary Anchorage Failure","authors":"Andrea Detter, Philip van Wassenaer, S. Rust","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.024","url":null,"abstract":"As the intensity and frequency of strong storms increase, the potential for damage to urban trees also increases. So far, the risk of ultimate failure for partially uprooted trees and how they may recover their stability is not well understood. This study sets out to explore if and to what extent trees can regain anchoring strength after their root systems have been overloaded. In 2010, ten London Plane (Platanus × acerifolia) trees were subjected to destructive winching tests. Two trees were pulled to the ground while eight were loaded until primary anchorage failure occurred and were left standing with inclined stems. In 2013, two trees had failed and six were re-tested nondestructively. By 2018, another tree had failed, and we tested the remaining five again. Rotational stiffness was derived for all trials and served as a nondestructive proxy for anchoring strength (R² = 0.91). After eight years, one tree had regained its original strength, while four had reached between 71 and 82% of their initial rotational stiffness. However, three trees failed during the observation period. The results indicate that partially uprooted trees may re-establish stability over time, but some will not and may fail. In our small data set, it was not possible to identify visual criteria that could provide a reliable indication of tree stability recovery, but our data support the assumption that nondestructive pulling tests can be successfully employed to determine good vigorous candidates for retention after partial uprooting.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46027838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Observation of Wind-Loading Influences in Nonconcentric Radial Root Growth in Two Maple Species","authors":"J. Grabosky","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.025","url":null,"abstract":"In 2010 and 2016, Acer saccharinum and Acer rubrum roots were harvested and processed into transverse serial sections to observe crosssectional radial growth patterning in response to wind. Trees on the edge of a plantation and from interior positions were selected, and windward/leeward roots were targeted for a comparative assessment. While some observations were suggestive of a response to wind exposure, they were not definitive. Particularly in the windward versus leeward comparison within either edge or interior ground in terms of root size or radial growth pattern, there were no differences observed. In general, the loss of observed upward radial growth bias very closely coincided with the ending of the Zone of Rapid Taper in the architecture of the root plate.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44322754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of Tree Responses to Different Soil Treatments Under Concrete Pavement","authors":"E. Smiley, J. Urban, Kelby L. Fite","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.027","url":null,"abstract":"In urban areas there is a limited amount of soil space available for tree root growth. However, many systems have been developed that provide rooting space below pavement while supporting the weight of vehicles and pedestrians. Two main approaches have emerged: 1) supported pavement, and 2) structural growing media. This research was composed of two controlled studies that compare variations of these two approaches. The first was a 10-year study using elm trees that compared gravel-based structural soil (GBSS), expanded slate structural soil (ESSS), expanded slate (ES) alone, a concrete supported pavement and a compacted control. The second study was a four-year study using Liriodendron trees that compared GBSS, sandbased structural soil (SBSS), Silva Cells™, Stratacells™, an open control, and a compacted control. The results of these two studies showed that the trees growing in the supported pavement treatments with low-density soil media resulted in significantly greater tree growth and a healthier appearance. The treatments with the highly compacted soil media had less root development and less top growth. However, soil media that were highly compacted experienced less subsidence.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43987877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Root Growth of Accolade™ Elm in Structural Soil Under Porous and Nonporous Asphalt After Twelve Years","authors":"N. Bassuk, G. Raffel, Miles Schwartz Sax","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.026","url":null,"abstract":"Accolade™ Elm trees were planted in CU Structural Soil® overlaid with porous or nonporous asphalt in 2005. At three separate points (2012, 2015, and 2016) over the last twelve years, root densities were measured with Ground Penetrating Radar to a depth of 30 inches (76.2 cm) beneath the asphalt. Roots under the porous asphalt were more numerous and tended to grow deeper in the structural soil profile. Shoot growth was reduced in trees that grew under the nonporous asphalt beginning in the eighth year after planting. CU Structural Soil® is a viable medium for tree growth and stormwater capture when paved with porous asphalt.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42331463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Soil Compaction Affects the Growth and Establishment of Street Trees in Urban Australia","authors":"Gregory Moore, A. Fitzgerald, P. May","doi":"10.48044/jauf.2019.020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2019.020","url":null,"abstract":"Growing conditions for street tree roots are generally harsh with restricted space and soils compacted from streetscape infrastructure. Allocasuarina littoralis, Corymbia maculata, Cupressus sempervirens var. stricta, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, Lophostemon confertus, Olea europaea, Quercus palustris, and Waterhousea floribunda were grown in compacted and uncompacted soils for 20 months in experimental blocks. The bulk density and penetrative resistance of the soils and height, canopy spread, trunk diameter, leaf area, and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured regularly. Root and shoot biomass were determined after harvesting. Since the bulk density of compacted compared to uncompacted soil was root growth limiting, it was hypothesised that species would have reduced growth in compacted soils. However, C. maculata and E. polyanthemos grew better, C. sempervirens, Q. palustris, and W. floribunda grew well, and A. littoralis, L. confertus, and O. europaea were the worst performing in compacted soil. E. polyanthemos, L. confertus, and Q. palustris had higher canopy:root ratios in compacted soil. Q. palustris had greater mass below ground than above, which has implications for its use in confined sites. In a field study, C. maculata, E. polyanthemos, L. confertus, O. europaea, and Q. palustris growing as street trees were surveyed to determine their rates of establishment and growth under urban conditions. In addition to the soil and tree parameters mentioned above, a Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) was undertaken. E. polyanthemos had the largest trunk diameter, height and canopy spread, indicating its potential for rapid establishment in streets. It was the only species with a larger mean leaf area in compacted soil. E. polyanthemos and O. europaea were the only species classed as healthy from chlorophyll fluorescence but there was no significant difference in fluorescence between compacted and uncompacted soils. VTA showed that C. maculata and O. europaea performed best and that E. polyanthemos, L. confertus, and Q. palustris had reduced but acceptable growth in compacted soil. Soils ranged from non-saline to moderately saline and were slightly to strongly acidic. All soils were compacted to some degree and penetrative resistance was at root limiting levels. The results suggest that careful species selection and soil amelioration for species prone to the effects of compaction would facilitate street tree establishment.","PeriodicalId":39043,"journal":{"name":"Arboriculture and Urban Forestry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47827469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}