Tree planting specs

[gregorylnd]

Does anyone have current tree planting spec diagrams for blueprints (or a sourse) . I need to get our architect up to speed.
Thanks,

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

What are you looking for, best practices guidlines or other companies specs?

There is a growing consensus that smaller trees are better then large trees in the long run, due to the greater stress from loss of root system that larger trees have in transplanting.

Bassuck of cornell has done some studies that show bare root of 1-1.5 caplier inch trees is less labor intensive, thus mor cost effective. They also retain more root system, so have a greater vitality when transplanted.

Zilmer at Midstate Tech in WI, and others did reaserch that shows poor planting leads to stem girdling roots. Johnson and Haur of UMinn builed on that with statistical data to sho that a below grade basal flair will cause encircling roots to form and give a very high probabbility of early mortality by girdling root.

American Nurserymans Standards state minimum root ball size should be 1 foor for every caliper inch. This is a bare minimum, and some trees like oaks should exceed that greatly. On important trees one should use the largest root ball that is feasable to transport.

Zilmer devised a method of plantingf whit B&B if it is the only thing available, where the root ball is excavated and eicircling roots unwouldn and burrid in radial slit trenches.

 

[gregorylnd]

Thanks for the reply J.P.,
I tried to reply back but my attachment was too big. I am looking for a drawing/digram normally found included with a set of blueprints that shows the proper planting of a containerized or b/b tree. It shows the rootball placement, shape and size of planting hole, stakes, planting tablets, undisturbed subsoil, backfill, etc... I am setting up standard practice guidlines for my city to give out to architects that we use for landscape prodjects.
Currently, they all seem to be very outdated, showing mixed backfill under the tree & vertical hole sides. Thanks and God bless,

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Contact the City Forester for Milwaukee they have a very comprehensive plan that includes planting standards.

All kidding I've done aside, COMF has one of the best urban tree plans in the nation. Part of our progressive/socialist heritage.

Forestry Division
Room 619,
Zeidler Municipal Building
841 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Preston Cole,
City Forester
Phone: 414-286-3595
Fax: 414-286-8097

 

[gregorylnd]

Thanks JP,
I'm jealous, my city has no plan at all! And I'm the only arborist and I mostly do irrigation (157 acres of it spread all over the place !) Our city planner knows one tree- California pepper, our Parks administraor knows two trees ( add Eucalyptus), and the superintendant of maintenance knows five. He can't tell a Canary Pine from a Black Pine. They all drive me nuts. I'm new to working for a Municpality and I'm finding that progress is slow and painful. God bless tree people!

 

[Jay Banks]

Gregory,
I'll email you the one I have been using, but it still needs more work. Send me your email address.