I am trying to make a decision support tool to assess whether, one, two or three years after planting a tree (in my case, in an urban environment), we can consider whether it was successful or not. I am looking for criteria that can be easily used in the field. For the moment, most of the references that I have found relate to tools for rating the state of health of mature trees, generally in a forest environment.
In general, in an urban environment, what do you think are the most reliable criteria to assess the vitality of trees few years after their plantation ?
Do you know of any studies or tools aimed at meeting this need?
Thank you !
@ Adrien, Soil, drainage, light, and space are all important considerations that should be given thought prior to planting. Place trees at least 3-4' away from sidewalks, patios, etc. Place trees about 10-30' apart from each other (depending on the size of the trees). Do not put trees in easements. Do not plant trees in straight lines unless they are in the parkway or part of a windbreak. In India, the survival percentage is on an average 59%.
Select desired species that are not invasive. Native species preferable. Consider soils and other factors. Tolerant species appreciate full sun, while intolerant prefer partial or full shade. If you have soil maps and consult dendrology book on regional species, you can consider factors and choices. Some tree species attract deer, goats and others to graze on their new growth, so need protection. Pick healthy planting stock, and plant at best season unless more tending is planned. If the trees are planted in a place where the public dislikes the loss of view, loss of open recreation, loss of ability of view of children playing outside, etc., they might be cut down. Some species seem to do well in urban settings, and do not produce negative results such as unwanted fruits, nuts, acorns, excessive size, leaf fall that can plug drainage structures, attractant to bees, etc. If there are any survival issues, they are likely to show up within weeks, months or the first few years, so some degree of checking can help. Male dogs seem to be attracted to trees to mark their territory, so they may get added nitrogen and fluids that can help contain these areas of waste, reducing dispersal. Books and articles, even some to perhaps most forestry and landscape curricula include urban forestry subjects. Specialists with this training in your area might have added ideas or experience with individual species or conditions to help make the wisest choices.
Thank you both for your answers which provide interesting information and advice. However, I was more looking for information about criteria to identify, after they have been planted, declining trees with low survival chances, based on their visual aspect (such as growth of twigs after 1 or 2 years, growth in circumference...)
As it was maybe not so clear in my question, I have posted a new question that I hope is clearer. I leave this one open as you have provided information that might be useful to other people. Thanks again !
I think the approaches you are looking for could be related to tree architecture studies. So you might be interested in Christophe Drénou's work on the health aspect of trees. The limitation of the method in your case is that it is mostly used in a forestry context on mature trees.
In french: Article "Parlez-vous Archi?" Les principales définitions de la méthode Archi
In english (study case on Quercus robur):
Article The diagnostic method ARCHI applied on declining pedunculate oaks
Thanks Jeremy, I think that's the kind of study I'm really looking for. These two studies are well illustrated and seem easy to implement. I imagine that we can try to adapt the ARCHI method on young trees in an urban environment. We are going to implement tests inspired by this method for the period 2020-2021, and we will see at the end of next year if this has been successful.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Agricultural Science
- Horticulture