Trees, Salt Tolerance and Dunes

Trees provide many environmental benefits including habitat for wildlife, soil stabilization, shade, and removing pollution from the air.  Due to the effects from coastal flooding, king tides and sea level rise, non-salt tolerant trees are being negatively impacted with greater frequency leading directly to a loss of environmental benefits. In Fort Lauderdale, trees play a major role in urban forest sustainability and dune stabilization. As such, Fort Lauderdale is utilizing a more salt tolerant tree palette to enhance the resiliency of its trees; species such as Seagrape, Pitch Apple, Green and Silver Buttonwood and Gumbo Limbo do very well in dune/high salt environments, helping protect our shorelines from tidal events and storm surges. Incorporating more salt tolerant trees throughout the City's urban forest will continue to increase its sustainability and resiliency in the face of ongoing environmental challenges. To learn more about salt tolerant trees and the dune environment, please visit the websites below:

Image used courtesy of Broward County.

Image used courtesy of Land and Sea Marine

https://floridadep.gov/water/beaches
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/landscaping-for-specific-sites/coastal-landscape.html

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_014913.pdf

New Tree Planting

So Spring is upon us and I normally receive a lot of questions pertaining to how and where to plant new trees in Fort Lauderdale. The first part is to identify a location on your property that is in need of a new tree whether for aesthetics, shade a source of fruit etc. Be aware that new tree planting in the City right-of-way swale will require a City landscaping permit, unless the tree(s) were provided through the City's Adopt A Tree Program. For more information on the City's Adopt A Tree Program please visit the following website: City of Fort Lauderdale Adopt A Tree Program. Next pay attention to the onsite conditions, does the proposed location have existing overhead or underground utilities, does the site receive ample sun or shade and how much room is available for a future mature tree (canopy and root room). Remember to call 811 before you dig to verify utility locations. Then you select an appropriate tree species for the location based on answers to the above questions. Make sure whatever tree you choose to plant is free from defects (girdling roots, poor structure, diseased etc.) and a minimum Florida No. 1 grade.  As for planting the tree dig out a hole that is at least 2-3 times the size of the new tree root ball, remove all burlap/wiring etc. from the rootball, place the tree on a firmly packed soil base within the planting hole backfilling around the root ball with a mix of native/top soil gently tamping it in place. Make sure that the final planting height is about 2-3" above grade as the tree will settle over time. Depending on tree size bracing and staking may be necessary. Make sure to use trunk protectors when bracing to avoid strap damage, and often trees are braced on three sides. Do not tighten the braces too much as a limited amount of play will be essential for allowing the tree to develop proper taper. Establishment watering is critical for the first 3-5 months. A general rule of thumb is to water every day for the first 30 days, every other day the next 30 days, every 3-4 days the next 30 and every 5-7 days the last 2-3 months. Please visit the following web links for additional information on proper tree planting and have fun this Spring with your new trees:

www.treesaregood.com/portals/0/docs/treecare/New_TreePlanting.pdf
https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/containerized.cfm

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting.shtml 

Historic Tree Preservation

A lot of factors come into play when determining whether an older/mature/historic tree can or should be preserved. What is the tree's over all condition? What historic significance does the tree possess? What is the tree's risk rating and has there been any recent failure events? What are the goals for the property owner? All of these factors can be part of an overall plan or decision regarding whether a older/historic tree can or should be preserved. In the below article such a scenario is currently occurring regarding a historic Live Oak tree in Lakeland Florida. The "Lover's Oak" is a 150 year old Live Oak tree that recently experienced a failure event and is at the heart of a discussion on whether it should be removed or not. My colleague Joe Samnik and his team are evaluating the tree to come up with preservation options which may include canopy reduction. To learn more about this tree please visit the following web link:

Photograph taken of the Lover's Oak after Hurricane Irma. Image used courtesy of The Ledger.

http://www.theledger.com/news/20180306/arborist-lakelands-famous-lovers-oak-at-least-150-years-old---20-years-older-than-city-itself

Trees and Stormwater Benefits

I came across a new article from Columbia University that added some additional insight into how trees can help mitigate storm water. A recent study by Columbia University showed that trees in an urban/city setting that were planted and protected by a tree barrier, grate, fence etc. had a greater capacity to absorb storm water than those that did not. In fact the study showed that trees were 6 times more effective in absorbing storm water runoff when protected by barriers. This makes perfect sense as compacted soil(s) and a compacted root area is less permeable to water than an un compacted area. So its not just planting trees but protecting their planting space itself that leads to an increase in storm water mitigation. Interesting read for sure and if you would like to see the full article please follow the below web link:

 

Credit Lizzie Adkins, Columbia University



https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180123171505.htm

New Technology Helping Control Insects

I came across an article detailing a new method to control the insect carrier for the dreaded citrus greening disease. As Florida is one of the nation's largest citrus producing states, any insect or disease that threatens the citrus crop typically receives full and immediate attention. Citrus greening differs from the previously #1 citrus issue citrus canker in a few very important way; citrus greening causes immediate fruit drop, reduces overall fruit yields and ultimately kills the tree within a very short time frame. Citrus canker mainly was a cosmetic issue causing unsightly blemishes to the fruit skin of citrus, but leaving the fruit juice and tree itself in relatively free from any affects. That being said the new technology involves a modified electric fence that hones in on the Asian citrus psyllid the carrier of citrus greening to reduce their numbers and help control the rate of tree infection. To read more about this emerging technology please visit the following web link:

https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-county/2018/01/29/psyllid-zapper-resistant-trees-among-tactics-combat-floridas-citrus-greening/1070347001/  

Historic Magnolia Tree Being Removed at the White House

I recently came across an article mentioning that a historic Magnolia tree was being removed at the White House. The tree in question a large leaf Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was originally planted by Andrew Jackson back in 1829 and can also be found on the back of the $20 bill circa 1928-1998. The tree ultimately failed due to a combination of old age, decay and structural instability. At the end there simply wasn't enough sound wood left to justify keeping the tree in place due to its risk of failing and causing damage to people or property.The tree was 190 years old well past its normal lifespan; a testament to the critical care it has received over the years from arboricultural experts. When considering trees planted on your property keep in mind that you can extend their lifespan through proper tree pruning, maintenance, planting the right tree in the right place and using an ISA Certified Arborist or ASCA Consulting Arborist to conduct an annual inspection. For the full article please see the weblink below:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/home/ct-life-sun-0121-garden-morton-20180117-story.html

Trees and Bioswales

Trees have many benefits but one of the most important revolves around their capacity to mitigate and filter storm water discharge as a component of a bioswale. Bioswales are storm water runoff conveyance systems that provide an alternative to storm sewers. They can absorb low flows or carry runoff from heavy rains to storm sewer inlets or directly to surface waters. Bioswales improve water quality by infiltrating the first flush of storm water runoff and filtering the large storm flows they convey. Trees have a large capacity to intercept rainwater by capturing rain droplets with their canopy and absorbing rainwater through their root zones. In addition recent studies have shown that trees grow better in bioswales and improve rainwater filtration by creating channels through the soil profile. For additional information on bioswales and trees please visit the below weblinks:

http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/research-shows-trees-in-bioswales-provide-significant-stormwater-benefits

http://stormwater.wef.org/2015/10/study-examines-performance-trees-bioswales/