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Under serious construction...
some random content (below) will be worked into a coherent piece at a later
date... We know trees provide many wonderful benefits to our communities
- it they can make it to maturity. In my opinion, the three most important
steps in helping an urban tree make it to the ripe old age of 32 years
are:
- selecting the right tree for the planting site (which
includes selecting structurally sound specimens from the
nursery)
- proper testing and preparation of the soil/planting
pit
- structural pruning (according to ANSI A300 pruning
standards)
De-Shrub
Early in a landscape it may be necessary to overplant shrubs to fulfill
a function. After a time, the shrubs will be choking each other out
resulting in widespread poor growth and appearance; not to mention the
challenge of managing such a planting. Pruning (reduction) may buy some
time but eventually a decision will have to be made to de-shrub.
Analogy with lamps... driving home the difference to city engineer and
others that think of landscaping as a one time event.
Installation of landscape serving a similar function as a lighting
system difference, over time very little change to light (other than
dimming bulbs, bulb replacement, other predictable repairs). Landscapes
are alive; they continually grow, interact with environment (above
ground and below ground) and eventually die.
Cultivars and varieties may be available... but on the whole, here is a
list of trees to avoid unless, you are willing to meet their intensive
maintenance needs
- honey locusts (w/thorns) - messy and prolific seed pod
production and impossible to prune without a bucket truck
- fruit trees - susceptibility to pests; messy fruit; requires
extensive pruning
- crabapple - same
- sweet gum - messy "balls"
- possible fruitless cultivar - 'Rotundiloba'
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