treeschool understanding trees

Understanding Trees ….: 

Understanding Trees …. Trees from start to finish Who’s at fault

How Do Trees Grow in a Woods? : 

How Do Trees Grow in a Woods? Understanding Tree Morphology

The Seed Falls To the Ground: 

The Seed Falls To the Ground The Seed is seldom if ever buried in the forest soil . The Root radical grows into the ground The Stem pushes up right to the sunlight Interface develops at the soil line ( as God intended it ,who do you think you are )

Tree Morphology : 

Tree Morphology Understanding that that Trunk and Root Tissue is Different Root tissue is much denser than stem tissue. Roots have to grow and push soil aside as they grow . Stem tissue grows through air with little resistance . They must be able to flex in the wind.

Trees in it’s early years : 

Trees in it’s early years Understanding Roots : Main Order Roots- Large lateral roots that forms the trunk flare . This also form the basal forms the basal plate.

Trees in it’s Early Years : 

Trees in it’s Early Years Understanding Roots : Adventitious Roots- roots that develop on trunk tissue that is darkened. The same buds will form branches if exposed to sunlight. ( auxin is destroyed by sunlight)

Adventitious Roots are a Sign of Problems : 

Adventitious Roots are a Sign of Problems The above ground portions of the tree are in a environment where roots can grow. ( Darkened by planting to deep or over mulched) These are not found in natural environment .

Adventitious Roots are a Sign of Problems : 

Adventitious Roots are a Sign of Problems When planted to deep a gap will form around the trunk. Adventitious roots grow rapidly in that opening and don’t grow out into that soil .

Halo Effect : 

Halo Effect Roots will Grow at and Near the Surface of the Soil. When main order roots are buried deep they will grow upward to the optimal growing region of 6 to 8 inches of the surface, depending to soil types. Once roots are deflected more than 30 % they will not return to the original direction of growth . Once roots have turned 90% they will grow in random directions ( halo )

Halo Effect : 

Halo Effect )

Take Home Message 1. : 

Take Home Message 1. When root tissue comes in contact with stem tissue , either from the same tree or other trees, the root tissue will crush the trunk or stem tissue . This will slow and eventual stop the stems function.

Take Home Message 2. : 

Take Home Message 2. If the tree is buried to deep it will never anchor itself properly due to the main order roots not being able to develop a basal plate. Instead they will develop a serpentine or halo root system that will eventually girdle the tree.

What are the Long term Effects : 

What are the Long term Effects Life expectance of less than 15 years , less than 5 inch caliper.( because of stem girdling roots, planted to deep or overmulching) These are trees that have been planted in the last 5 to 8 years . No mature urban forest. Trees have a positive effect on the urban environment starting at 30 years of age. Extremely expensive to replace these trees . It takes a tree to grow to 25 to 30 years to become cost effective.

How Do We Do It Right? : 

How Do We Do It Right? Growing the tree right . Trees are planted deep promote adventitious roots to formed early. These can occur on cutting and seed grown trees. These roots will have minimal effect on the trees growth in the nursery. (field or container) These roots will not have a impact on the tree through the guarantee period.

Take Home message 1 : 

Take Home message 1 Make sure you know difference between a adventitious and main order root system . Always planting at the proper depth. (container or field) Hilling creates adventitious roots and must be removed early in the growing cycle . A few months after planting. Plant bare root.

Install It Right Stupid? : 

Install It Right Stupid? It costs you less to it right the first time. Buy the right plants from the nursery (inspect before you buy) Bare Root Balled and Burlap Container Proper plant transport and pre planting care Inspect the trees before you plant Depth of the main order roots No girdling roots present Trunk inspection

Install It Right Stupid? : 

Install It Right Stupid? Planting Properly How deep do you dig a hole? How wide is the hole ? Depth, Depth ,Depth Mulching Depth and location to the trunk How deep

Long Term Care ? : 

Long Term Care ? Understanding How To Mulch . How Deep How Often Cut and Backfilling How much( less than ½ inch)

Take Home Messages : 

Take Home Messages Set Proper Standards ( Architectural Graphic Standards ) Selections of trees Specification for site development Proper Installation (main order roots)

Take Home Messages : 

Take Home Messages Buy plants according to Nursery Standards ( ANLA Standards) Be sure the Main order roots are at the surface Proper caliper 6 inches above the main order roots not the top of the ball or container. Proper ball size ( with roots at the surface)

Take Home Messages : 

Take Home Messages Make sure the plant is installed properly. Bid a price that allows for proper job Have knowledgeable people plant Good clear specifications Proper inspection of installation If you inspect the trees after they are planted it is to late . You can’t go back to fix it once it is in the ground.

Take Home Message : 

Take Home Message All trees are susceptible to stem girdling roots . Trees most commonly associated with SGR trees that tolerate low soil oxygen (red, silver and Norway maple, elms, linden,poplar ect.) and therefore survive deep planting long enough to be killed by SGR. These trees never help the urban environment ( shade, sound, oxygen)

What Help Do you have : 

What Help Do you have Continued failure of these trees is beginning to change peoples perception of the urban forests. People expect that trees should be small and only live a few years ( disposable trees ). They now complain when trees reach a size when they have a positive environmental and economic impact on the community .

What Help Do you have : 

What Help Do you have Even if we correct this problem today, we will be living with the direct affects of what we have done for the next 20 years . The urban forest of today has a lost generation of trees . Entire size classes of trees do not exist in the urban environment . As we remove the oldest trees we are also removing the young trees with them. Few young trees are moving into medium age and fewer medium size trees moving into mature trees.

What Help Do you have : 

What Help Do you have What Do We Call This : A Quiet, Self-imposed, Insidious Epidemic

What Causes Girdling Roots : 

What Causes Girdling Roots One and Only one reason Planting Depth. Solutions : ( nursery and landscape) 1. Understanding root systems 2. Proper planting depth 3. Don’t mulch against the trunk of the tree. 4. No backfill on existing trees.