Lessons Learned from Developing Best Management Practices for Urban Tree Care and Wildlife

Urban forests create indispensable habitat for declining wildlife populations. The tree care industry is essential to the viability of urban forests and thus the survival of urban wildlife. At the same time, tree care operations such as tree removal and branch pruning present clear threats to urban wildlife and their habitats. Here we describe the development of a grassroots coalition of arborists and wildlife advocates in the Western United States and the process of charting a path to best management practices and professional training to mitigate the impacts of tree care practices to wildlife. In particular, we describe the unique challenges and opportunities that arose through this multi-disciplinary process and build a case for the benefits of uniting diverse communities of practice around complex urban ecological problems. We finish by laying out recommendations to the international arboriculture and urban forestry practitioner and research communities.

Assessing Tree Health And Species In The Gentrifying Neighbourhood Of The Junction Triangle In Toronto, Ontario

The purpose of this study is to examine the number, health, and species of trees in the gentrifying neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle. In this research, the tree inventory and questionnaire method were used. The questionnaire results show that respondents who moved in prior to 2007 view gentrification more negatively than residents who moved in after. The study found that there is a net growth of trees in the study area. Many invasive species have been removed, while more city recommended species have been planted. This research went on to find that trees in front of homes are in better condition than those planted on public land, and trees in front of improved homes are in better condition than those in front of unimproved homes. This is evidenced by the visible tree care and maintenance activities that are occurring on trees in front of housing but is absent from trees on public land.

Assessing Tree Health And Species In The Gentrifying Neighbourhood Of The Junction Triangle In Toronto, Ontario

The purpose of this study is to examine the number, health, and species of trees in the gentrifying neighbourhood of the Junction Triangle. In this research, the tree inventory and questionnaire method were used. The questionnaire results show that respondents who moved in prior to 2007 view gentrification more negatively than residents who moved in after. The study found that there is a net growth of trees in the study area. Many invasive species have been removed, while more city recommended species have been planted. This research went on to find that trees in front of homes are in better condition than those planted on public land, and trees in front of improved homes are in better condition than those in front of unimproved homes. This is evidenced by the visible tree care and maintenance activities that are occurring on trees in front of housing but is absent from trees on public land.

Residents' attitudes towards tree care programs in cityscapes

Purpose: Examine residents’ attitude towards urban trees from the perspective of funding or voluntarily contributing time for tree care programs. Majority of global populace live in cities, hence, the rise in public expectations for liveable, sustainable and greener communities and urban areas all over the world, Nigeria inclusive. With proper planning and management, cities may become more liveable, but the rapid loss of large urban green areas cause havoc, and has ushered in several problems such as adverse climatic condition, reduced water and air quality, amongst others. Metodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted to understand how residents rank and rate the benefits of urban trees as well as individual willingness to support conservation initiatives, using Benin metropolis, Nigeria as a case study. Findings: Using binary logit analysis, the study identified that residents who are aware of ecosystem services, had a profession and have spent at least 20 years in the city, had a significant relationship with personal willingness to volunteer time and/or donate money toward urban tree care programs and activities. Contribution to knowledge: Provided quantitative information to demonstrate the importance of conserving trees in development projects towards Global SDGs.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Tree Steward Manual

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Tree Steward Manual is an open educational handbook designed to aid Extension Master Gardeners training to be tree stewards, though it is also an appropriate resource for anyone interested in learning about trees and tree care. The book contains information about selecting and planting appropriate trees for Virginia landscapes, caring for trees, and troubleshooting tree problems.

Landscape Below Ground IV: Introduction to a Special Issue

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.

A Survey of Key Arthropod Pests on Common Southeastern Street Trees

Cities contain dozens of street tree species each with multiple arthropod pests. Developing and implementing integrated pest management (IPM) tactics, such as scouting protocols and thresholds, for all of them is untenable. A survey of university research and extension personnel and tree care professionals was conducted as a first step in identifying key pests of common street tree genera in the Southern United States. The survey allowed respondents to rate seven pest groups from 0 (not pests) to 3 (very important or damaging) for each of ten tree genera. The categories were sucking insects on bark, sucking insects on leaves, defoliators and leafminers, leaf and stem gall forming arthropods, trunk and twig borers and bark beetles, and mites. Respondents could also identify important pest species within categories. Some tree genera, like Quercus and Acer, have many important pests in multiple categories. Other genera like Liriodendron, Platanus, and Lagerstroemia have only one or two key pests. Bark sucking insects were the highest ranked pests of Acer spp. Defoliators, primarily caterpillars, were ranked highest on Quercus spp. followed closely by leaf and stem gallers, leaf suckers, and bark suckers. All pest groups were rated below ‘1’ on Zelkova spp. Identifying key pests on key tree genera could help researchers prioritize IPM development and help tree care professionals prioritize their training and IPM implementation. Recommendations for future surveys include having more respondents and tree taxa represented and identifying trees to species within large genera, such as Acer and Quercus.

Citrus Tree Care for the Home Gardener in the HLB Era

This document discusses general citrus tree care while HLB is widespread.