Use of subpar equipment or techniques

Use of subpar equipment or techniques

Hidden Costs and Long-Term Damage from Improper Pruning

We've all been there. Staring at an overgrown shrub, a wonky branch, or a tree threatening to swallow the sun, armed with nothing but rusty shears and a vague sense of optimism. "How hard can it be?" we think. Famous last words. Because while a quick hack and slash might seem like a harmless way to tidy up the garden, improper pruning, especially with subpar equipment or techniques, can lead to hidden costs and long-term damage that far outweigh the initial "savings" of skipping the professional.


One of the most immediate hidden costs is the increased susceptibility to disease. Dull blades crush and tear rather than cleanly cut, leaving ragged wounds that are perfect entry points for fungi, bacteria, and insects. Think of it like leaving a gaping wound uncleaned – an invitation for infection. This can lead to anything from unsightly blemishes to serious structural damage, requiring costly treatments or even removal of the entire plant.


Beyond disease, improper pruning techniques can weaken the plant's overall structure. Topping, for example, that seemingly easy way to reduce height, actually encourages weak, spindly regrowth prone to breakage. It also destroys the natural shape and beauty of the tree, diminishing its aesthetic value and potentially even impacting property values. Incorrect cuts can also create stubs that rot and invite further decay, weakening the branch and making it vulnerable to storms.


In the long term, these seemingly minor mistakes can drastically shorten the lifespan of your plants. Repeated improper pruning creates a cycle of stress and decline, eventually leading to premature death. Replacing a mature tree or shrub can be a significant expense, far exceeding the cost of professional pruning in the first place.


So, while it might be tempting to reach for those rusty shears and tackle the overgrown hedge yourself, remember that proper pruning is a skill that requires knowledge, experience, and the right tools. Investing in a professional arborist or qualified landscaper is not just about aesthetics; it's about protecting the health and longevity of your plants, ultimately saving you money and heartache in the long run. Don't let a quick fix today lead to a costly problem tomorrow.

Using subpar equipment or relying on inadequate techniques in any job creates a minefield of safety risks, especially when untrained workers are involved. It's a recipe for disaster, plain and simple. Imagine a novice construction worker using a dull saw – they're more likely to force it, leading to slips, kickbacks, and potential injuries. Or think of a cleaner using diluted, ineffective disinfectant in a hospital setting – that's not just subpar cleaning, it's a breeding ground for infection.


The dangers are multifaceted. Faulty equipment can malfunction, leading to anything from minor cuts to catastrophic failures. A frayed electrical cord can cause shocks or fires, while a worn-out ladder can easily collapse. Similarly, inadequate techniques, often employed due to lack of training, can expose workers to hazards they aren't prepared for. Improper lifting techniques can lead to back injuries, while using the wrong chemical for a cleaning job can result in burns or respiratory problems.


Untrained workers are particularly vulnerable in these scenarios. They lack the experience to recognize potential dangers and the skills to react appropriately in emergencies. They might not understand the proper way to operate a piece of machinery or the safety protocols for handling hazardous materials. When you combine inexperienced workers with substandard equipment or inadequate techniques, the risk of accidents skyrockets.


The consequences go beyond immediate injuries. Accidents lead to lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and potential legal issues. The impact on morale can be devastating, creating a climate of fear and distrust. Ultimately, cutting corners on equipment and training is a false economy. Investing in proper equipment and comprehensive training is not just the ethical thing to do, it's the smart thing to do. It protects workers, safeguards the business, and fosters a culture of safety and responsibility.

Citations and other links

The Problem of Fly-by-Night Operations and Lack of Accountability

The flickering neon sign of "Bob's Budget Bodywork" casts a sickly yellow glow across the potholed parking lot. Inside, Bob himself, sporting a grease-stained tank top and a skeptical squint, assures you he can fix that fender bender "good as new" for a price that seems too good to be true. And it probably is. Bob's operation, like so many fly-by-night outfits, thrives on cutting corners, often at the expense of quality and safety. This is the problem with relying on businesses that prioritize a quick buck over proper equipment and established techniques.


The allure of a cheap fix is undeniable, especially when money's tight. But that bargain basement price tag often masks a hidden cost. Fly-by-night operations frequently skimp on essential equipment, opting for outdated tools, counterfeit parts, or even makeshift solutions that compromise the integrity of the repair. Instead of a certified welder, you might get a guy named Earl with a rusty blowtorch. Instead of OEM parts, you might get salvaged components of dubious origin. The result? A repair that looks okay on the surface but could fail catastrophically down the line.


Beyond the equipment, there's the issue of technique. Proper repair procedures, developed and refined over years of research and testing, are often disregarded by these transient businesses. They lack the training, the certifications, and frankly, the inclination to follow best practices. A quick patch job might suffice for a while, but it won't address the underlying issue and could even exacerbate it. This not only puts your vehicle at risk but also jeopardizes your safety and the safety of others on the road.


And when things go wrong, as they so often do with subpar work, who's held accountable? Bob's Budget Bodywork might be gone tomorrow, vanished into the night like the name suggests. Tracking down these ephemeral operators is often a fruitless endeavor, leaving you with a faulty repair and an empty wallet. The lack of accountability is a defining characteristic of these businesses and a significant part of the problem. They operate in the shadows, exploiting a demand for cheap fixes while dodging the responsibilities that come with legitimate business practices.


Ultimately, the problem with fly-by-night operations and their reliance on subpar equipment and techniques is a problem of trust, safety, and accountability. While the temptation of a low price is understandable, it's crucial to remember that quality and safety come at a cost. Choosing a reputable business with trained professionals, proper equipment, and a commitment to established procedures is an investment in your peace of mind and your well-being. Don't let the flickering neon sign of a supposed bargain blind you to the potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

The Problem of Fly-by-Night Operations and Lack of Accountability

How to Choose a Reputable Tree Service Provider: Key Considerations

Choosing a tree service provider might seem simple, but a wrong decision can lead to property damage, injury, and unnecessary expense. One crucial factor to consider is the company's equipment and techniques. A reputable tree service invests in professional-grade equipment and trains its employees in safe and effective practices. Cutting corners with subpar equipment or outdated techniques can have serious consequences.


Imagine a company trying to remove a large tree with inadequate tools or a crew lacking proper training in rigging and controlled felling. The tree could fall in an unintended direction, damaging your house, car, or even worse, injuring someone. Improper pruning techniques can also harm the tree, leaving it vulnerable to disease and pests, ultimately shortening its lifespan. Using dull saws or incorrect cutting methods can create ragged wounds that don't heal properly, inviting infection.


A telltale sign of a subpar operation is the use of climbing spikes for pruning live trees. While spikes are sometimes necessary for removing dead trees, they cause significant damage to living trees, creating wounds that invite decay. A reputable arborist will prioritize the health of your trees and use appropriate climbing techniques, such as ropes and harnesses, to minimize impact.


Another red flag is a company that relies heavily on topping, a practice that involves indiscriminately cutting off the top of a tree. While it might seem like a quick fix for reducing tree height, topping severely weakens the tree, making it more susceptible to disease, insect infestation, and structural failure. A reputable tree service will offer safer and more effective pruning methods that maintain the tree's health and natural shape.


Before hiring a tree service, ask about their equipment and techniques. Don't be afraid to ask for certifications and proof of insurance. A reputable company will be transparent about its practices and happy to answer your questions. Remember, choosing a tree service based solely on price can be a costly mistake. Investing in a qualified professional with the right equipment and expertise is an investment in the safety and well-being of your property and your trees.

 
Tree trimmer on tracked treads
(Click for video)

Tree care is the application of arboricultural methods like pruning, trimming, and felling/thinning[1] in built environments. Road verge, greenways, backyard and park woody vegetation are at the center of attention for the tree care industry. Landscape architecture and urban forestry[2][3] also set high demands on professional tree care. High safety standards against the dangers of tree care have helped the industry evolve. Especially felling in space-limited environments poses significant risks: the vicinity of power or telephone lines, insufficient protective gear (against falling dead wood, chainsaw wounds, etc.) and narrow felling zones with endangered nearby buildings, parking cars, etc.. The required equipment and experience usually transcends private means and is often considered too costly as a permanent part of the public infrastructure. In singular cases, traditional tools like handsaws may suffice, but large-scale tree care usually calls for heavy machinery like cranes, bucket trucks, harvesters, and woodchippers.

Road side trees are especially prone to abiotic stress by exhaust fumes, toxic road debris, soil compaction, and drought which makes them susceptible to fungal infections and various plant pests[4] like the spotted lantern fly.[5] When tree removal is not an option, because of road ecology considerations, the main challenge is to achieve road safety (visibility of road signs, blockage-free lanes, etc.) while maintaining tree health.

Tree removal

[edit]
 

While the perceived risk of death by falling trees (a part of the "tree risk" complex) is influenced by media and often hyped (the objective risk has been reported to be close to 1 : 10.000.000, almost as low as death by lightning),[6] singular events have encouraged a "proactive" stance so that even lightly damaged trees are likely to be removed in urban and public traffic surroundings.[3] As a tree ages and nears the end of its safe useful life expectancy (SULE),[7] its perceived amenity value is decreased greatly. A risk assessment normally carried out by local council's arborist to determine the best course of action.[8][9] As with all public green spaces, trees in green urban spaces and their careful conservation is sometimes in conflict with aggressive urban development even though it is often understood how urban trees contribute to liveability of suburbs and cities both objectively (reduction of urban heat island effect, etc.) and subjectively.[10][11][12][13] Tree planting programs implemented by a growing number of cities, local councils and organizations is mitigating the losses and in most cases increasing the number of trees in suburbia.[14] Programs include the planting of 2 trees for every 1 tree removed, while some councils are paying land owners to keep trees instead of removing them for farming or construction.[15]

Standards

[edit]

United States

[edit]

The voluntary industry consensus standards developed by TCIA, resulted in the ANSI A300 standard, the generally accepted industry standard for tree care practices including trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.[16] It includes the following parts:

  1. Pruning
  2. Soil management
  3. Supplemental support systems
  4. Lightning protection systems
  5. Management
  6. Planting and transplanting
  7. Integrated vegetation management
  8. Root management standard
  9. Tree risk assessment
  10. Integrated pest management

Professional associations

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Council, Cornwall. "Practical Guidelines for Young Tree Care - Cornwall Council". www.cornwall.gov.uk. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  2. ^ "Urban Forestry Management in Denver Colorado - Denver Tree Service - Tree Removal - Snow Removal". environmentaltreecarellc.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  3. ^ a b "Urban Forestry Operations". City of Toronto. Urban Forestry maintains 4.1 million trees on public property, which includes an estimated 3.5 million trees within Toronto's parks and ravines, and approximately 600,000 trees on City streets. ... The focus of our maintenance service is shifting progressively from reactive maintenance to proactive maintenance.
  4. ^ Frankfurt, Umweltamt. "Tree protection in Frankfurt : Stadt Frankfurt am Main | Dezernat Umwelt und Gesundheit | Umweltamt". frankfurt-greencity.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  5. ^ "spotted lantern fly".
  6. ^ "EPA – Home" (PDF).
  7. ^ "NOTES ON SAFE USEFUL LIFE EXPECTANCY (SULE RATING) AS USED IN TREE DESCRIPTION" (PDF). strathfield.nsw.gov.au.
  8. ^ Northrop, Andrew K. Koeser, Gitta Hasing, Drew McLean, and Rob (2016-12-20). "Tree Risk Assessment Methods: A Comparison of Three Common Evaluation Forms". edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-06.cite web: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Tree Removal Australia – Stay Smart, Save Money". GoTreeQuotes. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  10. ^ "Greening Our Streets Street Tree Management Plan" (PDF). City of Whittlesea, Australia. 2016.
  11. ^ Peter Mitham (2015). "Redevelopment, urban tree removal raise city residents' concerns". Business Vancouver.
  12. ^ eugenie stockmann (2016). "Are developers to blame for loss of tree cover in urban areas?". The Green Swing.
  13. ^ Dinh Muoi, Thanh Nien News (2016). "Ho Chi Minh City announces massive tree removal plan for metro station". Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Ho Chi Minh City has announced a plan to move and cut down 300 trees on Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1 to make space for a bridge connecting to District 2 and a metro station.
  14. ^ "Buy Trees and Learn About Trees - Visit our Online Nursery". www.arborday.org. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  15. ^ "NVIM Quick Reference Guide. Obligations under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy" (PDF). environment.vic.gov.au.
  16. ^ Advanced Solutions International Inc. "TCIA | A300 Standards". www.tcia.org. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
[edit]
(Learn how and when to remove this message)
Two workers pruning street trees in London during World War I

Pruning is a horticultural, arboricultural, and silvicultural practice involving the selective removal of certain parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots.

The practice entails the targeted removal of diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted plant material from crop and landscape plants. In general, the smaller the branch that is cut, the easier it is for a woody plant to compartmentalize the wound and thus limit the potential for pathogen intrusion and decay. It is therefore preferable to make any necessary formative structural pruning cuts to young plants, rather than removing large, poorly placed branches from mature plants.

Woody plants may undergo a process referred to as "self-pruning", where they will drop twigs or branches which are no longer producing more energy than they require. It is theorized that this process can also occur in response to lack of water, in order to reduce the surface area where water can be lost.[1] This natural shedding of branches is called cladoptosis.

Specialized pruning practices may be applied to certain plants, such as roses, fruit trees, and grapevines. Different pruning techniques may be used on herbaceous plants than those used on perennial woody plants.

Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or redirecting growth), improving or sustaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits.

Pruning terms

[edit]
Branch wood, trunk wood, branch collar, branch bark ridge clearly identified on a tree.
 

Branch wood

[edit]

Branch wood is an individual stem that grows off of another stem.

Trunk wood

[edit]

Trunk wood is the main stem of a tree which individual stems grow out of.

This refers to the area below the union of where branch wood attaches with the trunk/stem wood. This can often appear raised.

Branch bark ridge

[edit]

This refers to the junction between branch wood and trunk/stem wood. It usually looks raised. [2]

Types of Pruning

[edit]
An arborist pruning a tree near the Statue of Liberty

Pruning in an urban setting is crucial due to the tree being in drastically different conditions than where it naturally grows.[3]

Arborists, orchardists, and gardeners use various garden tools and tree cutting tools designed for the purpose, such as secateurs, loppers, handsaws, or chainsaws.[4] Additionally in forestry, pole pruners (averruncators in British English) and pole saws are commonly used, and these are often attached to poles that reach up to 5–6 m (16–20 ft). This is a more efficient and safer way of pruning than with ladders. These bush saws on polls have also been motorized as chainsaws which is even more efficient. Older technology used Billhooks, Kaiser blades, and pruning knives. Although still used in some coppicing, they are not used so much in commercial forestry due to the difficulty of cutting flush with the stem. Flush cuts happen when a pruner cuts into the cambium layer of the main trunk, which can happen when a pruner is not precise with pruning cuts, and removes a portion of the branch collar, which can put the tree at risk of entry cords from forest pathogens.

Although there are several different types of pruning, they can be simplified into two categories. One of which is cutting the branch back to a specific and intermediate point, called a "reduction cut", and the other of which is completely removing a branch back to the union where the branch connects which the main trunk, called "removal cut".[5]

Dense growth results after shearing

A "reduction cut" is when one removes a portion of a growing stem down to a set of desirable buds or side-branching stems. This is commonly performed in well trained plants for a variety of reasons, for example to stimulate growth of flowers, fruit or branches, as a preventive measure to wind and snow damage on long stems and branches, and finally to encourage growth of the stems in a desirable direction.

  • Thinning: A more drastic form of pruning, a thinning out cut, is the removal of an entire shoot, limb, or branch at its point of origin.[5] This is usually employed to revitalize a plant by removing over-mature, weak, problematic, and excessive growths. When performed correctly, thinning encourages the formation of new growth that will more readily bear fruit and flowers. This is a common technique in pruning roses and for amplifying and "opening-up" the branching of neglected trees, or for renewing shrubs with multiple branches.
  • Topping: Topping is a very severe form of pruning which involves removing all branches and growths down to a few large branches or to the trunk of the tree. When performed correctly it is used on very young trees, and can be used to begin training younger trees for pollarding or for trellising to form an espalier.
  • Raising removes the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and vistas. [6]
  • Reduction reduces the size of a tree, often for clearance for utility lines. Reducing the height or spread of a tree is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). Compared to topping, reduction helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree.[7]

In orchards, fruit trees are often lopped to encourage regrowth and to maintain a smaller tree for ease of picking fruit. The pruning regime in orchards is more planned, and the productivity of each tree is an important factor.

Deadwooding

[edit]

Branches die off for a number of reasons including sunlight deficiency, pest and disease damage, and root structure damage. A dead branch will at some point decay back to the parent stem and fall off. This is normally a slow process but can be hastened by high winds or extreme temperatures. The main reason deadwooding is performed is safety. Situations that usually demand removal of deadwood include trees that overhang public roads, houses, public areas, power lines, telephone cables and gardens. Trees located in wooded areas are usually assessed as lower risk but assessments consider the number of visitors. Trees adjacent to footpaths and access roads are often considered for deadwood removal.[8]

Another reason for deadwooding is amenity value, i.e. a tree with a large amount of deadwood throughout the crown will look more aesthetically pleasing with the deadwood removed. The physical practice of deadwooding can be carried out most of the year though should be avoided when the tree is coming into leaf. The deadwooding process speeds up the tree's natural abscission process. It also reduces unwanted weight and wind resistance and can help overall balance.

Preventive structural pruning

[edit]

Preventative and structural pruning can be done to mitigate several issues young trees may have in the future. The structural pruning can reduce tree stress, increase the lifespan of trees, and promotes resistance to damage due to natural weather events. Attributes of trees with good structure include excurrent growth by having a single dominant leader, branch unions without included bark, and a balanced canopy. Structural pruning does this by developing or maintaining a dominant leader, identify the lowest branches in the canopy, prevent branches below the permanent canopy from growing too large, keeping all branches less than one half the trunk diameter, space main branches along one dominant trunk, and suppress growth on branches with included bark. [9]

Subordination pruning

[edit]

Subordination pruning is done on limbs that will exceed 50% percent of the stem diameter. A reduction cut may be performed while still allowing about 50% of the branch. This is done to help maintain form and deter the formation of co-dominant leaders. Temporary branches may be too large for a removal cut so subordination pruning should be done to slowly reduce a limb by 50% each year to allow the tree to properly heal from the cut. As a tree becomes larger the slower it grows. Reducing the larger limbs for eventual removal will allow for the tree to promote new growth rather than using energy in encouraging unwanted limbs to continue to grow. Removing a large branch increases the likelihood of the cut to not heal properly which also may attract insects, diseases and fungus. [9][10]

Crown thinning

[edit]

Crown thinning is the removal of live healthy branches which increases light penetration, air circulation and reduces wind resistance which reduces risks from damage and the possibility of pest infestation. [11]

Crown raising

[edit]

Crown raising involves the removal of the lower branches to a given height. The height is achieved by the removal of whole branches or removing the parts of branches which extend below the desired height. The branches are normally not lifted to more than one third of the tree's total height.

Crown lifting is done for access; these being pedestrian, vehicle or space for buildings and street furniture. Lifting the crown will allow traffic and pedestrians to pass underneath safely. This pruning technique is usually used in the urban environment as it is for public safety and aesthetics rather than tree form and timber value.

Crown lifting introduces light to the lower part of the trunk; this, in some species can encourage epicormic growth from dormant buds. To reduce this sometimes smaller branches are left on the lower part of the trunk. Excessive removal of the lower branches can displace the canopy weight, this will make the tree top heavy, therefore adding stress to the tree. When a branch is removed from the trunk, it creates a large wound. This wound is susceptible to disease and decay, and could lead to reduced trunk stability. Therefore, much time and consideration must be taken when choosing the height the crown is to be lifted to.

This would be an inappropriate operation if the tree species’ form was of a shrubby nature. This would therefore remove most of the foliage and would also largely unbalance the tree. This procedure should not be carried out if the tree is in decline, poor health or dead, dying or dangerous (DDD) as the operation will remove some of the photosynthetic area the tree uses. This will increase the decline rate of the tree and could lead to death.

If the tree is of great importance to an area or town, (i.e. veteran or ancient) then an alternative solution to crown lifting would be to move the target or object so it is not in range. For example, diverting a footpath around a tree's drip line so the crown lift is not needed. Another solution would be to prop up or cable-brace the low hanging branch. This is a non-invasive solution which in some situations may be more economical and environmentally friendly. [12]

Vista pruning

[edit]

Selectively pruning a window of view in a tree.

Crown reduction

[edit]

Reducing the height and or spread of a tree by selectively cutting back to smaller branches and in fruit trees for increasing of light interception and enhancing fruit quality.

Pollarding

[edit]

A regular form of pruning where certain deciduous species are pruned back to pollard heads every year in the dormant period. This practice is usually commenced on juvenile trees so they can adapt to the harshness of the practice. This practice can be used for tree shaping but is also used in specific species which young branches can be sold for floral arrangements.

Deadheading

[edit]

Deadheading is the act of removing spent flowers or flowerheads for aesthetics, to prolong bloom for up to several weeks or promote rebloom, or to prevent seeding.

Time period

[edit]
Pruning of trees in Chandigarh

In general, pruning deadwood and small branches can be done at any time of year. Depending on the species, many temperate plants can be pruned either during dormancy in winter, or, for species where winter frost can harm a recently pruned plant, after flowering is completed. In the temperate areas of the northern hemisphere autumn pruning should be avoided, as the spores of disease and decay fungi are abundant at this time of year.

Some woody plants tend to bleed profusely from cuts, such as mesquite and maple. Some callus over slowly, such as magnolia. In this case, they are better pruned during active growth when they can more readily heal. Woody plants that flower early in the season, on spurs that form on wood that has matured the year before, such as apples, should be pruned right after flowering as later pruning will sacrifice flowers the following season. Forsythia, azaleas and lilacs all fall into this category.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ BCMA, Jeremiah_Sandler (2021-02-01). "On Removing Deadwood, Part 1". Tree Care Industry Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  2. ^ McKenzie, Rita; Holt, Harvey. "Trees Need a Proper Start – Prune Them Right" (PDF). Urban Forestry Specialists, Forestry and Natural Resources. Purdue University.
  3. ^ Fraedrich, Bruce. “Structural Pruning of Young Trees.” Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories Technical Report.
  4. ^ Encyclopedia of gardening (3rd U.S., rev. and updated ed.). London: DK Pub. 2012. pp. 554–556. ISBN 9780756698287.
  5. ^ a b "Tree Fruit Production Guide". tfpg.cas.psu.edu. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Raising - Pruning - Landscape plants - Edward F. Gilman - UF/IFAS". hort.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  7. ^ "Reducing - Pruning - Landscape plants - Edward F. Gilman - UF/IFAS". hort.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  8. ^ "Removal of dead wood - Nelson's Tree Services". Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ^ a b Gilman, Edward F.; Bisson, Amanda (2008-01-24). "Chapter 12 — Developing a Preventative Pruning Program: Young Trees". EDIS. 2008 (1). doi:10.32473/edis-ep315-2007. ISSN 2576-0009.
  10. ^ Gilman, Edward F. (2012). An illustrated guide to pruning (3rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar. ISBN 978-1-111-30730-1.
  11. ^ "Crown Reduction - Nelson's Tree Services". Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  12. ^ Smiley, E, and Bruce Fraedrich. “Pruning Standard to Maintain Landscape Trees.” Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories Technical Report.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Sunset Editors, (1995) Western Garden Book, Sunset Books Inc, ISBN 978-0-376-03851-7
  • James, N. D. G, The arboriculturalist's companion, second edition 1990, Blackwell Publishers Ltd, Great Britain.
  • Shigo, A, 1991, Modern arboriculture, third printing, Durham, New Hampshire, USA, Shirwin Dodge Printers.
  • Shigo, A, 1989, A New Tree Biology. Shigo & trees Associates.
  • J.M. Dunn, C.J. Atkinson, N.A. Hipps, 2002, Effects of two different canopy manipulations on leaf water use and photosynthesis as determined by gas exchange and stable isotope discrimination, East Malling, University of Cambridge.
  • Shigo. A. L, 1998, Modern Arboriculture, third printing (2003), USA, Sherwin Dodge Printers
  • British standards 3998:1989, Recommendations for Tree Work.
  • Lonsdale. D, 1999, Principles of tree hazard assessment and management, 6th impression 2008, forestry commission, Great Britain.
[edit]

 

An arborist practicing tree care: using a chainsaw to fell a eucalyptus tree in a park at Kallista, Victoria.

Arboriculture (/ˈɑːrbərɪˌkʌltʃər, ɑːrˈbɔːr-/)[1] is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. The science of arboriculture studies how these plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, training, fertilization, pest and pathogen control, pruning, shaping, and removal.

Overview

[edit]

A person who practices or studies arboriculture can be termed an arborist or an arboriculturist. A tree surgeon is more typically someone who is trained in the physical maintenance and manipulation of trees and therefore more a part of the arboriculture process rather than an arborist. Risk management, legal issues, and aesthetic considerations have come to play prominent roles in the practice of arboriculture. Businesses often need to hire arboriculturists to complete "tree hazard surveys" and generally manage the trees on-site to fulfill occupational safety and health obligations.[citation needed]

Arboriculture is primarily focused on individual woody plants and trees maintained for permanent landscape and amenity purposes, usually in gardens, parks or other populated settings, by arborists, for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of people.[citation needed]

Arboricultural matters are also considered to be within the practice of urban forestry yet the clear and separate divisions are not distinct or discreet.[citation needed]

Tree Benefits

[edit]

Tree benefits are the economic, ecological, social and aesthetic use, function purpose, or services of a tree (or group of trees), in its situational context in the landscape.

Environmental Benefits

[edit]
  • Erosion control and soil retention
  • Improved water infiltration and percolation
  • Protection from exposure: windbreak, shade, impact from hail/rainfall
  • Air humidification
  • Modulates environmental conditions in a given microclimate: shields wind, humidifies, provides shade
  • Carbon sequestration and oxygen production

Ecological Benefits

[edit]
  • Attracting pollinators
  • Increased biodiversity
  • Food for decomposers, consumers, and pollinators
  • Soil health: organic matter accumulation from leaf litter and root exudates (symbiotic microbes)
  • Ecological habitat

Socioeconomic Benefits

[edit]
  • Increases employment: forestry, education, tourism
  • Run-off and flood control (e.g. bioswales, plantings on slopes)
  • Aesthetic beauty: parks, gatherings, social events, tourism, senses (fragrance, visual), focal point
  • Adds character and prestige to the landscape, creating a "natural" feel
  • Climate control (e.g shade): can reduce energy consumption of buildings
  • Privacy and protection: from noise, wind
  • Cultural benefits: eg. memorials for a loved one
  • Medical benefits: eg. Taxus chemotherapy
  • Materials: wood for building, paper pulp
  • Fodder for livestock
  • Property value: trees can increase by 10–20%[citation needed]
  • Increases the amount of time customers will spend in a mall, strip mall, shopping district[citation needed]

Tree Defects

[edit]

A tree defect is any feature, condition, or deformity of a tree that indicates weak structure or instability that could contribute to tree failure.

Common types of tree defects:

Codominant stems: two or more stems that grow upward from a single point of origin and compete with one another.

  • common with decurrent growth habits
  • occurs in excurrent trees only after the leader is killed and multiple leaders compete for dominance

Included bark: bark is incorporated in the joint between two limbs, creating a weak attachment

  • occurs in branch unions with a high attachment angle (i.e. v-shaped unions)
  • common in many columnar/fastigiate growing deciduous trees

Dead, diseased, or broken branches:

  • woundwood cannot grow over stubs or dead branches to seal off decay
  • symptoms/signs of disease: e.g. oozing through the bark, sunken areas in the bark, and bark with abnormal patterns or colours, stunted new growth, discolouration of the foliage

Cracks

  • longitudinal cracks result from interior decay, bark rips/tears, or torsion from wind load
  • transverse cracks result from buckled wood, often caused by unnatural loading on branches, such as lion's tailing.
  • Seams: bark edges meet at a crack or wound
  • Ribs: bulges, indicating interior cracks

Cavity and hollows: sunken or open areas wherein a tree has suffered injury followed by decay. Further indications include: fungal fruiting structures, insect or animal nests.

Lean: a lean of more than 40% from vertical presents a risk of tree failure

Taper: change in diameter over the length of trunks branches and roots

Epicormic branches (water sprouts in canopy or suckers from root system): often grow in response to major damage or excessive pruning

Roots:

  • girdling roots compress the trunk, leading to poor trunk taper, and restrict vascular flow
  • kinked roots provide poor structural support; the kink is a site of potential root failure
  • circling roots occurs when roots encounter obstructions/limitations such as a small tree well or being grown too long in a nursery pot; these cannot provide adequate structural support and are limited in accessing nutrients and water
  • healthy soil texture and depth, drainage, water availability, makes for healthy roots

Tree Installation

[edit]

Proper tree installation ensures the long-term viability of the tree and reduces the risk of tree failure.

Quality nursery stock must be used. There must be no visible damage or sign of disease. Ideally the tree should have good crown structure. A healthy root ball should not have circling roots and new fibrous roots should be present at the soil perimeter. Girdling or circling roots should be pruned out. Excess soil above the root flare should be removed immediately, since it presents a risk of disease ingress into the trunk.

Appropriate time of year to plant: generally fall or early spring in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

Planting hole: the planting hole should be 3 times the width of the root ball. The hole should be dug deep enough that when the root ball is placed on the substrate, the root flare is 3–5cm above the surrounding soil grade. If soil is left against the trunk, it may lead to bark, cambium and wood decay. Angular sides to the planting hole will encourage roots to grow radially from the trunk, rather than circling the planting hole. In urban settings, soil preparation may include the use of:

  • Silva cells: suspended pavement over modular cells containing soil for root development
  • Structural soils: growing medium composed of 80% crushed rock and 20% loam, which supports surface load without it leading to soil compaction

Tree wells: a zone of mulch can be installed around the tree trunk to: limit root zone competition (from turf or weeds), reduce soil compaction, improve soil structure, conserve moisture, and keep lawn equipment at a distance. No more than 5–10cm of mulch should be used to avoid suffocating the roots. Mulch must be kept approximately 20cm from the trunk to avoid burying the root flare. With city trees additional tree well preparation includes:

Tree grates/grill and frames: limit compaction on root zone and mechanical damage to roots and trunk

Root barriers: forces roots to grow down under surface asphalt/concrete/pavers to limit infrastructure damage from roots

Staking: newly planted, immature trees should be staked for one growing season to allow for the root system to establish. Staking for longer than one season should only be considered in situations where the root system has failed to establish sufficient structural support. Guy wires can be used for larger, newly planted trees. Care must be used to avoid stem girdling from the support system ties.

Irrigation: irrigation infrastructure may be installed to ensure a regular water supply throughout the lifetime of the tree. Wicking beds are an underground reservoir from which water is wicked into soil. Watering bags may be temporarily installed around tree stakes to provide water until the root system becomes established. Permeable paving allows for water infiltration in paved urban settings, such as parks and walkways.

UK

[edit]

Within the United Kingdom trees are considered as a material consideration within the town planning system and may be conserved as amenity landscape[2] features.

The role of the Arborist or Local Government Arboricultural Officer is likely to have a great effect on such matters. Identification of trees of high quality which may have extensive longevity is a key element in the preservation of trees.

Urban and rural trees may benefit from statutory protection under the Town and Country Planning[3] system. Such protection can result in the conservation and improvement of the urban forest as well as rural settlements.

Historically the profession divides into the operational and professional areas. These might be further subdivided into the private and public sectors. The profession is broadly considered as having one trade body known as the Arboricultural Association, although the Institute of Chartered Foresters offers a route for professional recognition and chartered arboriculturist status.

The qualifications associated with the industry range from vocational to Doctorate. Arboriculture is a comparatively young industry.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "arboriculture". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  2. ^ "Amenity landscapes • Environment Guide". www.environmentguide.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  3. ^ "Town and Country Planning Association". Town and Country Planning Association. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  • Harris, Richard W. (1983). Arboriculture: Care of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in the Landscape. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. pp. 2–3. ISBN 0-13-043935-5.
  • "arboriculture". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Merriam-Webster.
  • "arboriculture". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2007.
  • "arboriculture". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Online. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2000.
[edit]