Chapter 5 - Maintaining the Urban Canopy

Which of these is NOT a pruning objective found in ISA’s best management practices for tree pruning: crown restoration, crown heading, crown raising, or crown cleaning?

Crown heading

Name three reasons that municipal tree care services might be privatized:

Number of in-house staff is reduced; liability is transferred from city to contractor; cost of service is reduced

Name three factors in determining the length of the pruning cycle

Age, species, location

Name three important considerations at planting, and one non-consideration at planting

Irrigation, pruning, mulch; fertilization

T/F: trees that have not been routinely irrigated will benefit from irrigation during periods of drought

True

T/F: the impact of lowering the water table can be replaced by aboveground irrigation

False

What is recognized as the most important indicator of soil health?

Organic matter

What is NOT true about tree root-sewer conflicts?

That roots seek out sewer laterals

T/F: root pruning provides a temporary solution to tree root-sewer conflicts

True

Name three goals of green building programs

Increasing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, and improving air quality

How might your city respond to requests from the public about green maintenance practices?

Be familiar with the concept and examples of green maintenance. Refer to steps the city has taken regarding waste recycling, plant health care programs, use of alternative fuels and oils, right plant/right place, low maintenance/irrigation landscapes, use of recycled water, and other green maintenance practices.

How might your community transition from a by-request to a scheduled program of tree care?

Be able to describe short-term costs and problems versus long-term benefits in both descriptive and financial terms. Be sure to have support of city staff and elected officials. Train and educate tree crews about benefits. Consider a hot-spot crew to take care of requests.

If your community asked you to use recycled water to irrigate park trees, what considerations should you address before agreeing to do so?

Seasonal quality and availability of water. Irrigation methods and needs. Plants and soils to be irrigated.

What are the limitations in applying practices of soil health management in a municipal environment?

We work primarily in a built environment and have limited ability to use the key management techniques of crop rotation, cover crops, and tillage.

How might you improve the management of tree-pavement conflicts in your community?

Get citizens, staff, and elected officials together. Develop guidelines and procedures that meet everyone’s needs. Be sure to replant after removing trees.

What steps could your program take to reduce the amount of green waste entering the landfill?

Trees with good health and structure require less pruning and will be removed less often. Compost chips. Reuse logs as firewood or lumber.