Arborist TEST question

[Frans]

What is the single most consistant, adverse environmental impact on trees in the urban setting no matter what the species or growing location?

Frans

 

[murphy4trees]

Acid rain.... least around here anyway...

 

[TreeJunkie]

Drought possibly. Or it could be soil compaction or possibly pollution which is it?

 

[rumination]

I second what Rocky said. People with chainsaws. Around here at least...

 

[Frans]

Come on think about it...
Rocky and murphy: are chainsaws and acid rain affecting more trees than not in the urban setting NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE GROWING?
Tree Junkie is going in the right direction but I dont want to give any more hints at this stage
Frans

 

[rumination]

Well, the correct TEST answer is probably soil compaction, or root restriction/damage, or something like that.

In reality though, around here, any tree that gets away without being topped is doing pretty good. Even though you were trying to be funny Rocky, I think you were, unfortunately, correct.

And yes, around here, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE GROWING, trees are susceptible to hacks with chainsaws.

 

[Frans]

But Rumination not all trees in the urban landscape are hacked with chainsaws.
This question is to my knowledge not an "ISA"
test question.
I was just trying to think of the answer myself.

to put up a multiple choice question would be the same as thinking the folks on this board are "below average" because in my opinion even a monkey has a good chance to pass a test with multiple choice questions.
I think alot more of most of the folks on this board.
It does seem that others are thinking along the same lines as me.
I believe without any reservations that the single most adverse environmental condition affecting trees in the urban landscape no matter where it is growing is:
SOIL COMPACTION
Which leaves me to wonder, how come there is so much debate regarding the use of mulch around trees
I dont get it
Frans

 

[rumination]

Sounds like I misunderstood the context of your question, Frans. You are probably right. Soil problems are probably the most prevalent adversity affecting trees in the urban environemt, even more so than hacks with chainsaws . I'm just feeling a little negative about the general state of tree work around here today.



So, by all means...please pass the mulch!

 

[murphy4trees]

Acid rain causes soil problems... And soil compaction is a real problem...

 

[Frans]

I agree acid rain causes alot of problems
but is not universal throughout all landscapes in all locations
Frans

 

[murphy4trees]

What makes you say that???

It may not be the "same" in all locations, but still be universal...

The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike...

 

[TreeJunkie]

Did anyone think of poor nursery stock/ improper planting. Seems like lately i'm coming across this more often than compaction.

 

[Frans]

Interesting web link
I looked up Ca. and found this: http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/bt/hotavg.asp

 

[murphy4trees]

I wonder how philly air rates compared to standing in back of a chipper, running deadwood and sycamore etc... I wear a respirator!!!

And i do remember coming in to philly from Northern Ca., getting off the plane and driving by the refineries and thinking... THIS IS UGLY....

Then years later working at a refinery in Deleaware... noticed that as soon as the regular shift crew left and the place was mostly empty, they let out the gas.... barely tolerable....

Again, wearing a respirator=good idea.... just ask anyone attached to an 02 tank for the rest of their lives...

 

[Gord]

I think that soil disturbance/compaction would be a better answer...i see a lot more dead trees due to soil being dug up in the root zone than due to soil compaction.

 

[Nathan Wreyford]

Originally posted by Frans
no matter what the species or growing location?

Alanthus doesn't really have problems with compaction. Kinda spoils the test question. eh? I agree it is important, but there are exceptions.

 

[arboromega]

you gotta give more time frans...i was going to guess at your question but you posted the answer before i was even done reading the first page. i would have said compaction though - big problem around here with new construction. ive topped, oh excuse me, drop crotched so much dead wood out of dying forest tree due to soil compaction...they do come back though after the pruning and a few years of working on the soil.

 

[Frans]

ALANTHUS = (tree of heaven) more like:
TREE OF HELL
Frans

 

[Nathan Wreyford]

Originally posted by Frans
ALANTHUS = (tree of heaven) more like:
TREE OF HELL
Frans

Ghetto Palm

 

[Reed]

Have to keep in mind the notion of constants. There isn't any.

Sure...baseball, iron railroad tressles, vanilla ice cream, and the American way seem like permanent fixtures but they're not. Adaptive changes occur in relative time, relative to our measurements. The 200-plus glaciers that inspired Glacier National park were considered 'ancient' - a remnant of the Laurentian ice period. Less than 100 years later there remain only 20-something. Rapid change when compared to beaches becoming sandstone or granite resulting from magma.

Acid rainfall? All rain measured is acidic. Fronts determine movement and point sources become obscure when distance doesn't just dilute but transport. When Cheyrnobal went liquid Wisconsin went radioactive, four months after - enough so that milk was recalled and destroyed. Sunlight is a main factor in presenting a leaf surface and metamorphistic abilities with some real challenges, genetic alterations required to adapt but they aren't as quick as the differences occuring between how well we tanned in the 60's and how quick we burn in the 90's.

Did you know that impact alone changes chemistry of a raindrop? And collision against a leaf surface versus splattering on concrete will produce measurable differences in pH? Also a copper roof, aluminum sheets, or a granite composition will change run-off more than a quart of oil in a one-acre farm pond?

Don't forget bird poop either.