Bob Polomski, Ph.D.Clemson Extension Horticulturist
Clemson University, South Carolina
September 12, 2010
Emerging Issues in Arboriculture
http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/planting
Emerging Issues in Arboriculture
Tree selection Production Planting Establishment Urban soil management (“soil
restoration”
Plant Health Care
Tree Selection The search for the perfect
landscape/street tree continues…. --evaluation of new species and cultivars
Tree SelectionBiomechanics: study of
the structural behavior of trees
Study branch failures Learn why some trees
stay upright in a storm while others fail;
Prune to prevent storm damage
Tree Production Effects on successful
tree establishment and longevity --evaluate container
types and container treatments to
reduce/ eliminate circling roots
Planting and establishmentAn estimated 80 percent of all landscape
tree problems originating below ground relate to quality and placement of the root system. Structural root defects and root planting depth issues can occur during all stages of tree production and establishment including nursery propagation and production, landscape specification development and planting, and post‐planting and transplanting maintenance.
Tree Selection
Tree Planting• Bare root
--Develop methods and products to use for bare-rooting trees at planting time (root washing, pressure washing, and air excavation)
Bassuk, N. L. 1998. Creating the urban forest: the bare root method. 1998. Urban Horticulture Institute Cornell University Ithaca, NY.
Tree Planting Bare rooting--technique to reveal tree
roots prior to finishing the planting or transplanting process
Need to see root defects--if possible, correct and adjust planting height
“Bare Root to Bare Root – Coming Full Circle” (www.mortonarb.org/deeptreeroots/pdf/LBG_Abstracts.pdf)
Tree Planting Bare rooting--technique to reveal tree
roots prior to finishing the planting or transplanting process
Need to see root defects--if possible, correct and adjust planting height/depth.
“Bare Root to Bare Root – Coming Full Circle” (www.mortonarb.org/deeptreeroots/pdf/LBG_Abstracts.pdf)
Tree Planting Plant trees at the
proper depth--Deep roots of landscape trees: A comprehensive guide to current research and practice
(www.mortonarb.org/deeptrees)
Planting too deep is deadly
93% of professionally-planted trees (Smiley and Booth, 2000)
75% of nursery-grown trees (Maynard 1995)
Tree Planting Container-grown
--evaluate root pruning strategies: slicing, shaving, bare rooting, or butterflyingAlleviate root defects after planting and ensure survival and vigorous growth of trees after planting.
Planting and establishment Container-grown
--evaluate root pruning strategies: slicing, shaving, bare rooting, or butterflying
Post-planting survival and
establishment• New technologies to
improve post-plant survival and stress resistance in urban trees,e.g., biostimulants, humectants, mycorrhizae, etc.
Established Trees Urban soil management (“soil
restoration”)--Root Invigoration®
Established Trees Urban soil management (“soil
restoration”)--Root Invigoration®
Established Trees
Planting and Establishment Urban soil management (“soil
restoration”)--Root Invigoration®--Aerated Compost Tea (ACT)
www.masslaboratory.org/mass_015.htm
Planting and establishment Urban soil management (“soil
restoration”)--Root Invigoration®--Aerated Compost Tea (ACT)--Biochar – carbon-rich product (wood, manure, leaves) heated in absence of O2
Planting and establishment
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/video/green-plant-soil-biochar-11486209
Plant Health Care: Pests Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)
--Native of China and Eastern Asia--Michigan in 2002-13 states and parts of Canada
www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/eab/eab-index.aspx
PHC: Pests EAB management
www.emeraldashborer.info/files/Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf
PHC: Pests Walnut twig beetle and
thousand cankers disease of black walnut (Juglans nigra)—insect-disease complex
Geosmithia sp.Fusarium solani
PHC: Pests Walnut twig beetle and
thousand cankers disease of black walnut (Juglans nigra)—insect-disease complex(Geosmithia sp. and Fusarium solani) 1990s Utah 2001 New Mexico
PHC: Pests Walnut twig beetle and
thousand cankers disease--Black walnut decline
PHC: Pests Asian long-horned
beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
--native to Japan, Korea, and China--1996 discovered in Brooklyn and Amityville, NY--Maples and horsechestnuts, also ash, poplar, willow, elm, mulberry, and black locust
PHC: Pests Asian long-horned beetle
PHC: Pests Asian long-horned beetle
Plant Health Care Novel disease control compounds to
reduce pesticide usage in the arboricultural industry:--“Biopesticides” - synthetic or natural compounds such as plants, microorganisms, and certain mineralscontrol pest and foliar diseases.
Arboricultural Research Research
More research
Even more research
Application
“With great power…
Comes great responsibility.”
Only you can speak for trees.
Angel Oak, Charleston, SC