Removing tree stumps from your property is not just a matter of aesthetics but also pertains to safety and health reasons. Whether through stump grinding or complete stump removal, the elimination of these remnants can significantly enhance the overall environment and usability of your landscape.
Firstly, from an aesthetic perspective, stumps can be quite unsightly, especially in a well-manicured yard. They disrupt the uniformity and visual flow of a garden or lawn. Over time, old stumps may also start to rot and become infested with pests, further detracting from the beauty of the landscape. Removing these stumps can instantly uplift the appearance of your space, making it look cleaner and more inviting.
Safety is another critical reason for stump removal. Stumps can pose tripping hazards, particularly in areas frequented by children and the elderly. During lawn maintenance activities like mowing or walking around the yard, an unnoticed stump can easily cause accidents. Moreover, stumps that are left to decay naturally may weaken over time and could become unstable, potentially leading to injuries if they collapse when someone stands on them.
Health concerns associated with decaying tree stumps should not be underestimated either. As a stump rots, it becomes a breeding ground for fungi and other organisms that might not only affect plant life around it but could also spread diseases to healthy trees and plants nearby. The process of decomposition attracts insects such as termites and ants which might eventually find their way into your home.
Stump grinding provides an efficient solution by shaving down the stump below ground level. This method is quick and minimizes disruption to the surrounding area while leaving soil integrity largely intact. Alternatively, complete stump removal involves pulling out the stump along with its root system which ensures that there's no regrowth; however, this method is more labor-intensive and may necessitate major ground repair afterward.
In conclusion, removing tree stumps is beneficial for aesthetic improvements, safety enhancements, and health reasons in maintaining a garden or yard's condition. Employing methods like stump grinding or complete removal helps eliminate potential risks while promoting a healthier living environment conducive to both people's safety and plant health.
Stump grinding is a popular and effective method for removing the remnants of tree stumps from your yard after a tree has been cut down. This method not only ensures that your landscape looks neat and tidy but also prevents the stump from becoming a breeding ground for pests or an obstacle in landscaping. Understanding how stump grinding works, the equipment used, and its advantages can help homeowners make informed decisions about managing their tree stumps.
The process of stump grinding involves the use of specialized equipment called a stump grinder. This machine is equipped with a high-speed disk with teeth that grinds the wood of the stump into small chips. The grinder is maneuvered over the stump, starting from the top and moving downwards, which shreds the wood into mulch or sawdust. The depth of grinding can be adjusted depending on how deep roots are buried; typically, it goes up to 10 to 12 inches below ground level. After grinding, the area can be covered with soil or sod, effectively camouflaging where the stump once stood.
Stump grinders come in various sizes, from small handheld models to large industrial sizes. For smaller projects or tight spaces, handheld grinders are ideal, whereas larger stumps might require more powerful machinery that needs to be operated by professionals. These larger machines speed up the removal process significantly and can handle tougher wood more efficiently.
Choosing stump grinding over other methods like chemical removal or manual digging offers several advantages:
However, it's important to consider what will happen with sawdust produced during this process-it can either be removed entirely or used as mulch for gardens depending on personal preference and project requirements.
In conclusion, stump grinding presents a swift and efficient solution to deal with unwanted tree stumps enhancing both aesthetic appeal and practical usability of outdoor spaces while being considerate towards environmental concerns and budget constraints. Therefore, understanding these elements about stump grinding helps property owners manage their landscapes better following tree removals ensuring safety and enhancing visual pleasure simultaneously
Stump removal is an essential task for gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners looking to clear their property of the remnants of felled trees. This process not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a landscape but also prevents safety hazards and pest infestations. The complete removal of a stump involves several steps and can be accomplished using various tools and methods. Here's a detailed overview of how stump removal is typically carried out.
The first step in the process of stump removal is understanding the scale and nature of the stump, as well as its location. Different species of trees have different root structures; some are deep-rooted while others have roots that spread wide but are shallow. The age and size of the stump also affect the difficulty level of its removal.
Several tools can be used for stump removal:
For smaller stumps, manual removal might be feasible. This involves digging around the stump to expose as much of the root system as possible, then using an axe or saw to sever the roots around it. After cutting all major roots, leverage with a shovel or a jack can help lift the stump out from the ground.
Involves applying chemical treatments that accelerate rotting on a tree stump. Potassium nitrate is commonly used for this purpose; holes are drilled into the top surface of the stump, filled with chemicals, and watered to promote absorption. Over time (typically weeks or months), this method breaks down the wood fibers until they become soft enough to break apart easily.
Another method is burning, where accelerants like kerosene may be poured onto prepared holes on top of a stump before setting it alight under controlled conditions. This method requires caution due to obvious fire risks and compliance with local regulations regarding open fires.
Stump grinding is often considered one of the quickest methods for removing stumps entirely. A stump grinder has rotating blades fitted with teeth that chip away at wood until below ground level is reached, turning what remains into mulch or sawdust that can either be removed or left in place to decompose naturally.
Whichever method you choose for removing a tree stump, safety should always come first:
Although stump removal can seem daunting initially due to labor intensity involved especially in manual extraction methods or when dealing with large stumps requiring machinery use; planned properly it ensures clean landscape clearing enhancing both aesthetic appeal property's utility safely effectively preventing potential hazards such as pest harborage space wastage caused by old tree remnants left behind after cutting operations . With right tools techniques anyone achieve successful outcomes their yard maintenance projects regarding tree management aspects .
When dealing with the aftermath of tree removal, homeowners and property managers are often faced with a decision: stump grinding or stump removal. Both methods offer different benefits and drawbacks in terms of cost, time investment, and outcomes. Understanding these differences can help in making an informed choice that best suits one's landscaping needs.
Stump grinding and stump removal are techniques used to handle the remnants of a tree after it has been cut down. Stump grinding involves using a machine to shred the stump into wood chips, effectively breaking it down while leaving the roots in place. On the other hand, stump removal entails digging out both the stump and its root system entirely from the ground.
Cost Comparison
Stump grinding is generally more cost-effective than stump removal. This is primarily because it requires less labor-intensive work and can be completed in a shorter period of time. The machinery used for stump grinding is also less invasive than that required for full stump removal, which often involves larger equipment or even manual digging. As such, for those looking to minimize expenses, stump grinding might be the preferable option.
Time Investment
In terms of time efficiency, stump grinding again tends to be the quicker method. A typical grinding job can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the size and hardness of the stump. Stump removal, however, is more time-consuming as it involves excavating all parts of the stump along with its extensive root system. This process can take several hours and may require more complex planning to ensure that nearby structures or pipes are not damaged.
Outcomes
The outcomes of each method differ significantly and should be considered based on what future plans you have for your landscape. Stump grinding leaves behind wood chips which can be used as mulch or removed depending on preference but does leave most of the root system underground. Over time, these roots will decay naturally but can potentially interfere with planting new trees in exactly the same spot.
Conversely, stump removal clears away both the tree stump and its roots completely leaving a clean slate for any new project like replanting another tree or constructing without obstruction from old roots. However, this method creates a large hole that must then be filled with soil which could lead to additional expense or effort.
Each situation is unique when considering whether to grind or remove a tree stump. Factors such as budget constraints, time availability, future landscaping plans, and environmental impact play important roles in this decision-making process. Ultimately choosing between these two approaches depends on balancing these factors against personal preferences for one’s property upkeep.
Stump grinding and stump removal are two common methods used for dealing with tree stumps after a tree has been cut down. Each method not only serves a functional purpose-eliminating an obstruction in the landscape-but also carries distinct environmental impacts that can affect the surrounding landscape and local ecosystem.
Stump grinding involves the use of a machine to grind down the tree stump to just below ground level. This process is often favored because it is fast and non-invasive to the surrounding area. The primary environmental benefit of stump grinding is that it leaves the roots intact, which can prevent soil erosion in areas where this might be a concern, such as on slopes or near water bodies. The remaining wood chips from the grinding can also be used as mulch around other plants, providing nutrients as they decompose and helping to retain soil moisture. However, one potential downside is that the decayed stump may attract pests like termites or fungi, which could spread to healthy vegetation nearby.
On the other hand, stump removal entails physically pulling out the stump along with most of its root system. This method is more invasive than grinding and typically requires heavy machinery such as a backhoe. While stump removal eliminates any risk of leaving decaying wood that could attract pests, it creates a significant disturbance in the landscape. Removing a stump and its roots can lead to greater soil disruption, potentially harming nearby plant life due to sudden changes in the soil composition or structure. Moreover, this disruption can lead to erosion if not managed correctly, particularly in sensitive ecosystems.
Both methods influence local wildlife differently. Stump grinding might allow creatures using underground burrows or those nesting at ground level to continue their habitation undisturbed; however, removing stumps might temporarily displace small animals or insects relying on them for shelter or food sources.
Choosing between these two techniques depends heavily on several factors including desired outcome for land use, ecological considerations specific to the area (e.g., presence of endangered species), and long-term landscaping plans. For instance, if reforestation or replanting is planned in an area where a large number of trees have been removed, complete removal of stumps may be preferred to avoid interference with new plantings.
In conclusion, while both stump grinding and full stump removal serve practical purposes in managing landscapes post-tree removal, each has its own set of environmental impacts that should be carefully considered. Stump grinding minimizes immediate ecological disruption but carries risks related to pest attraction and disease spread; meanwhile, full stump removal prevents these risks but causes significant physical alteration of the landscape which must be managed sensitively to avoid further ecological damage.
After a tree has been removed and the stump ground down, homeowners are often left with a question: what next? The process of aftercare and site restoration is crucial not only for the aesthetics of your landscape but also for its health and functionality. Whether you're looking to encourage regrowth or repurpose the area, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your garden continues to thrive.
Firstly, it's important to deal with the immediate aftermath of stump grinding. Typically, this process leaves behind a substantial amount of wood chips mixed with soil. These can be used as mulch around other plants in your garden; however, if left where the stump was, they can create an imbalance in soil nutrients as they decompose. To prevent this, remove the majority of these chips and replace them with topsoil. This fresh soil will provide a nutrient-rich base suitable for whatever comes next.
For those interested in replanting in the same area, soil quality is paramount. After replenishing the soil, consider testing it for pH balance and nutrient levels. Depending on what you plan to plant, you may need to adjust these levels by adding specific fertilizers or amendments. When choosing new plants for the area, consider species that are appropriate for your climate and soil type. It’s also wise to think about root growth; opting for plants with less aggressive root systems can help prevent future disruptions.
If you're not keen on replanting another tree or large shrubs immediately, there are plenty of other uses for this newly vacant space. Creating a flower bed or vegetable garden can be a rewarding project that beautifies your property and yields produce or blooms. Alternatively, installing hardscaping elements like rocks or pavers can transform the area into a practical patio space or walking path that requires minimal upkeep.
Another aspect to consider is erosion control, especially if the stump removal has left a significant hole or dip in your landscape. Planting ground cover plants or grasses can help stabilize the soil while adding visual appeal to your garden. If immediate coverage is needed, laying sod may be beneficial.
Lastly, ongoing maintenance should not be overlooked. Regular monitoring and care of newly planted areas will help ensure healthy growth and development. This includes watering appropriately according to plant needs—too much water can be just as detrimental as too little—and possibly applying mulch around new plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
In conclusion, aftercare following stump grinding involves thoughtful preparation and decision-making tailored to both personal preference and environmental factors such as local climate and soil conditions. Whether aiming for aesthetic enhancement through landscaping changes or maintaining ecological balance by encouraging native flora regrowth—the opportunities post-stump removal are extensive but manageable with proper planning.
The International Society of Arboriculture, commonly known as ISA, is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] United States. The ISA serves the tree care industry as a paid membership association and a credentialing organization that promotes the professional practice of arboriculture.[2] ISA focuses on providing research, technology, and education opportunities for tree care professionals to develop their arboricultural expertise. ISA also works to educate the general public about the benefits of trees and the need for proper tree care.[3][4]
Worldwide, ISA has 22,000 members and 31,000 ISA-certified tree care professionals with 59 chapters, associate organizations, and professional affiliates throughout North America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and South America.[5]
ISA offers the following credentials:
The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years' full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an examination covering facets of arboriculture.[6][7] The Western Chapter of the ISA started the certification program in the 1980s,[citation needed] with the ISA initiating it in 1992.[8]
The Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) or simply Master Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have attained the highest level of arboriculture offered by the ISA and one of the two top levels in the field. There are several paths to the Board Certified Master Arborist, but typically on average each has been an ISA Certified Arborist a minimum of three to five years before qualifying for the exam (this can vary depending upon other education and experience). The certification began as a result of the need to distinguish the top few arborists and allow others to identify those with superior credentials.
The Master Arborist examination is a far more extensive exam than the Certified Arborist Exam, and covers a broad scope of both aboriculture management, science and work practices. The exam includes the following areas:
Another credential that is on a par with the Master Arborist is that of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, the Registered Consulting Arborist.[9] There are perhaps six hundred individuals with that qualification, and only 70 arborists who hold both credentials.[citation needed]
An arborist, or (less commonly) arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants in dendrology and horticulture.[citation needed]
Arborists generally focus on the health and safety of individual plants and trees, rather than managing forests or harvesting wood (silviculture or forestry). An arborist's scope of work is therefore distinct from that of either a forester or a logger.[citation needed]
In order for arborists to work near power wires, either additional training is required or they need to be certified as a Qualified Line Clearance Arborist or Utility Arborist (there may be different terminology for various countries). There is a variety of minimum distances that must be kept from power wires depending on voltage, however the common distance for low voltage lines in urban settings is 10 feet (about 3 metres).[1]
Arborists who climb (as not all do) can use a variety of techniques to ascend into the tree. The least invasive, and most popular technique used is to ascend on rope. There are two common methods of climbing, Single Rope System (SRS) and Moving Rope System (MRS). When personal safety is an issue, or the tree is being removed, arborists may use 'spikes', (also known as 'gaffs' or 'spurs') attached to their chainsaw boots with straps to ascend and work. Spikes wound the tree, leaving small holes where each step has been.[citation needed]
An arborist's work may involve very large and complex trees, or ecological communities and their abiotic components in the context of the landscape ecosystem. These may require monitoring and treatment to ensure they are healthy, safe, and suitable to property owners or community standards. This work may include some or all of the following: planting; transplanting; pruning; structural support; preventing, or diagnosing and treating phytopathology or parasitism; preventing or interrupting grazing or predation; installing lightning protection; and removing vegetation deemed as hazardous, an invasive species, a disease vector, or a weed.[citation needed]
Arborists may also plan, consult, write reports and give legal testimony. While some aspects of this work are done on the ground or in an office, much of it is done by arborists who perform tree services and who climb the trees with ropes, harnesses and other equipment. Lifts and cranes may be used too. The work of all arborists is not the same. Some may just provide a consulting service; others may perform climbing, pruning and planting: whilst others may provide a combination of all of these services.[2]
Arborists gain qualifications to practice arboriculture in a variety of ways and some arborists are more qualified than others. Experience working safely and effectively in and around trees is essential. Arborists tend to specialize in one or more disciplines of arboriculture, such as diagnosis and treatment of pests, diseases and nutritional deficiencies in trees, climbing and pruning, cabling and lightning protection, or consultation and report writing. All these disciplines are related to one another and some arborists are very well experienced in all areas of tree work, however not all arborists have the training or experience to properly practice every discipline.[citation needed]
Arborists choose to pursue formal certification, which is available in some countries and varies somewhat by location. An arborist who holds certification in one or more disciplines may be expected to participate in rigorous continuing education requirements to ensure constant improvement of skills and techniques.[citation needed]
In Australia, arboricultural education and training are streamlined countrywide through a multi-disciplinary vocational education, training, and qualification authority called the Australian Qualifications Framework, which offers varying levels of professional qualification. Government institutions including Technical and Further Education TAFE offer Certificate III or a diploma in arboriculture as well as some universities.[3][4] There are also many private institutions covering similar educational framework in each state. Recognition of prior learning is also an option for practicing arborists with 10 or more years of experience with no prior formal training. It allows them to be assessed and fast track their certification.[citation needed]
In France, a qualified arborist must hold a Management of Ornamental Trees certificate, and a qualified arborist climber must hold a Pruning and Care of Trees certificate; both delivered by the French Ministry of Agriculture.[5][6]
In the UK, an arborist can gain qualifications up to and including a master's degree. College-based courses include further education qualifications, such as national certificate, national diploma, while higher education courses in arboriculture include foundation degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree.[citation needed]
In the US, a Certified Arborist (CA) is a professional who has over three years of documented and verified experience and has passed a rigorous written test from the International Society of Arboriculture. Other designations include Municipal Specialist, Utility Specialist and Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA). The USA and Canada additionally have college-based training which, if passed, will give the certificate of Qualified Arborist. The Qualified Arborist can then be used to offset partial experience towards the Certified Arborist.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified credential (TRAQ), designed by the International Society of Arboriculture, was launched in 2013. At that time people holding the TRACE credential were transferred over to the TRAQ credential.[citation needed]
In Canada, there are provincially governed apprenticeship programs that allow arborists' to work near power lines upon completion. These apprenticeship programs must meet the provincial reregulations (For example, in B.C. they must meet WorkSafeBC G19.30), and individuals must ensure they meet the requirements of the owner of the power system.[citation needed]
Trees in urban landscape settings are often subject to disturbances, whether human or natural, both above and below ground. They may require care to improve their chances of survival following damage from either biotic or abiotic causes. Arborists can provide appropriate solutions, such as pruning trees for health and good structure, for aesthetic reasons, and to permit people to walk under them (a technique often referred to as "crown raising"), or to keep them away from wires, fences and buildings (a technique referred to as "crown reduction").[7] Timing and methods of treatment depend on the species of tree and the purpose of the work. To determine the best practices, a thorough knowledge of local species and environments is essential.[citation needed]
There can be a vast difference between the techniques and practices of professional arborists and those of inadequately trained tree workers. Some commonly offered "services" are considered unacceptable by modern arboricultural standards and may seriously damage, disfigure, weaken, or even kill trees. One such example is tree topping, lopping, or "hat-racking", where entire tops of trees or main stems are removed, generally by cross-cutting the main stem(s) or leaders, leaving large unsightly stubs. Trees that manage to survive such treatment are left prone to a spectrum of detrimental effects, including vigorous but weakly attached regrowth, pest susceptibility, pathogen intrusion, and internal decay.[8]
Pruning should only be done with a specific purpose in mind. Every cut is a wound, and every leaf lost is removal of photosynthetic potential. Proper pruning can be helpful in many ways, but should always be done with the minimum amount of live tissue removed.[9]
In recent years, research has proven that wound dressings such as paint, tar or other coverings are unnecessary and may harm trees. The coverings may encourage growth of decay-causing fungi. Proper pruning, by cutting through branches at the right location, can do more to limit decay than wound dressing [10]
Chemicals can be applied to trees for insect or disease control through soil application, stem injections or spraying. Compacted or disturbed soils can be improved in various ways.[citation needed]
Arborists can also assess trees to determine the health, structure, safety or feasibility within a landscape and in proximity to humans. Modern arboriculture has progressed in technology and sophistication from practices of the past. Many current practices are based on knowledge gained through recent research, including that of Alex Shigo, considered one "father" of modern arboriculture.[11]
Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be a number of legal issues surrounding the practices of arborists, including boundary issues, public safety issues, "heritage" trees of community value, and "neighbour" issues such as ownership, obstruction of views, impacts of roots crossing boundaries, nuisance problems, disease or insect quarantines, and safety of nearby trees or plants that may be affected.[citation needed]
Arborists are frequently consulted to establish the factual basis of disputes involving trees, or by private property owners seeking to avoid legal liability through the duty of care.[12] Arborists may be asked to assess the value of a tree[13] in the process of an insurance claim for trees damaged or destroyed,[14] or to recover damages resulting from tree theft or vandalism.[15] In cities with tree preservation orders an arborist's evaluation of tree hazard may be required before a property owner may remove a tree, or to assure the protection of trees in development plans and during construction operations. Carrying out work on protected trees and hedges is illegal without express permission from local authorities,[16] and can result in legal action including fines.[17] Homeowners who have entered into contracts with a Homeowner's association (see also Restrictive covenants) may need an arborists' professional opinion of a hazardous condition prior to removing a tree, or may be obligated to assure the protection of the views of neighboring properties prior to planting a tree or in the course of pruning.[18] Arborists may be consulted in forensic investigations where the evidence of a crime can be determined within the growth rings of a tree, for example. Arborists may be engaged by one member of a dispute in order to identify factual information about trees useful to that member of the dispute, or they can be engaged as an expert witness providing unbiased scientific knowledge in a court case. Homeowners associations seeking to write restrictive covenants, or legislative bodies seeking to write laws involving trees, may seek the counsel of arborists in order to avoid future difficulties.[19]
Before undertaking works in the UK, arborists have a legal responsibility to survey trees for wildlife, especially bats, which are given particular legal protection. In addition, any tree in the UK can be covered by a tree preservation order and it is illegal to conduct any work on a tree, including deadwooding or pruning, before permission has been sought from the local council.[citation needed]
The protagonist in Italo Calvino's novel The Baron in the Trees lives life on the ground as a boy and spends the rest of his life swinging from tree to tree in the Italian countryside. As a young man he helps the local fruit farmers by pruning their trees.[citation needed]
Some noteworthy arborists include:
Arboriculture (/ˈɑËÂÂrbÉ™rɪˌkÊŒltʃər, É‘ËÂÂrˈbÉâ€ÂËÂÂr-/)[1] is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. The science of arboriculture studies how these plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, training, fertilization, pest and pathogen control, pruning, shaping, and removal.
A person who practices or studies arboriculture can be termed an arborist or an arboriculturist. A tree surgeon is more typically someone who is trained in the physical maintenance and manipulation of trees and therefore more a part of the arboriculture process rather than an arborist. Risk management, legal issues, and aesthetic considerations have come to play prominent roles in the practice of arboriculture. Businesses often need to hire arboriculturists to complete "tree hazard surveys" and generally manage the trees on-site to fulfill occupational safety and health obligations.[citation needed]
Arboriculture is primarily focused on individual woody plants and trees maintained for permanent landscape and amenity purposes, usually in gardens, parks or other populated settings, by arborists, for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of people.[citation needed]
Arboricultural matters are also considered to be within the practice of urban forestry yet the clear and separate divisions are not distinct or discreet.[citation needed]
Tree benefits are the economic, ecological, social and aesthetic use, function purpose, or services of a tree (or group of trees), in its situational context in the landscape.
A tree defect is any feature, condition, or deformity of a tree that indicates weak structure or instability that could contribute to tree failure.
Common types of tree defects:
Codominant stems: two or more stems that grow upward from a single point of origin and compete with one another.
Included bark: bark is incorporated in the joint between two limbs, creating a weak attachment
Dead, diseased, or broken branches:
Cracks
Cavity and hollows: sunken or open areas wherein a tree has suffered injury followed by decay. Further indications include: fungal fruiting structures, insect or animal nests.
Lean: a lean of more than 40% from vertical presents a risk of tree failure
Taper: change in diameter over the length of trunks branches and roots
Epicormic branches (water sprouts in canopy or suckers from root system): often grow in response to major damage or excessive pruning
Roots:
Proper tree installation ensures the long-term viability of the tree and reduces the risk of tree failure.
Quality nursery stock must be used. There must be no visible damage or sign of disease. Ideally the tree should have good crown structure. A healthy root ball should not have circling roots and new fibrous roots should be present at the soil perimeter. Girdling or circling roots should be pruned out. Excess soil above the root flare should be removed immediately, since it present a risk of disease ingress into the trunk.
Appropriate time of year to plant: generally fall or early spring in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Planting hole: the planting hole should be 3 times the width of the root ball. The hole should be dug deep enough that when the root ball is placed on the substrate, the root flare is 3–5cm above the surrounding soil grade. If soil is left against the trunk, it may lead to bark, cambium and wood decay. Angular sides to the planting hole will encourage roots to grow radially from the trunk, rather than circling the planting hole. In urban settings, soil preparation may include the use of:
Tree wells: a zone of mulch can be installed around the tree trunk to: limit root zone competition (from turf or weeds), reduce soil compaction, improve soil structure, conserve moisture, and keep lawn equipment at a distance. No more than 5–10cm of mulch should be used to avoid suffocating the roots. Mulch must be kept approximately 20cm from the trunk to avoid burying the root flare. With city trees additional tree well preparation includes:
Tree grates/grill and frames: limit compaction on root zone and mechanical damage to roots and trunk
Root barriers: forces roots to grow down under surface asphalt/concrete/pavers to limit infrastructure damage from roots
Staking: newly planted, immature trees should be staked for one growing season to allow for the root system to establish. Staking for longer than one season should only be considered in situations where the root system has failed to establish sufficient structural support. Guy wires can be used for larger, newly planted trees. Care must be used to avoid stem girdling from the support system ties.
Irrigation: irrigation infrastructure may be installed to ensure a regular water supply throughout the lifetime of the tree. Wicking beds are an underground reservoir from which water is wicked into soil. Watering bags may be temporarily installed around tree stakes to provide water until the root system becomes established. Permeable paving allows for water infiltration in paved urban settings, such as parks and walkways.
Within the United Kingdom trees are considered as a material consideration within the town planning system and may be conserved as amenity landscape[2] features.
The role of the Arborist or Local Government Arboricultural Officer is likely to have a great effect on such matters. Identification of trees of high quality which may have extensive longevity is a key element in the preservation of trees.
Urban and rural trees may benefit from statutory protection under the Town and Country Planning[3] system. Such protection can result in the conservation and improvement of the urban forest as well as rural settlements.
Historically the profession divides into the operational and professional areas. These might be further subdivided into the private and public sectors. The profession is broadly considered as having one trade body known as the Arboricultural Association, although the Institute of Chartered Foresters offers a route for professional recognition and chartered arboriculturist status.
The qualifications associated with the industry range from vocational to Doctorate. Arboriculture is a comparatively young industry.
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and environmental benefits.[1] Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands.[2] The science of forestry has elements that belong to the biological, physical, social, political and managerial sciences.[3] Forest management plays an essential role in the creation and modification of habitats and affects ecosystem services provisioning.[4]
Modern forestry generally embraces a broad range of concerns, in what is known as multiple-use management, including: the provision of timber, fuel wood, wildlife habitat, natural water quality management, recreation, landscape and community protection, employment, aesthetically appealing landscapes, biodiversity management, watershed management, erosion control, and preserving forests as "sinks" for atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Forest ecosystems have come to be seen as the most important component of the biosphere,[5] and forestry has emerged as a vital applied science, craft, and technology. A practitioner of forestry is known as a forester. Another common term is silviculturist. Silviculture is narrower than forestry, being concerned only with forest plants, but is often used synonymously with forestry.
All people depend upon forests and their biodiversity, some more than others.[6] Forestry is an important economic segment in various industrial countries,[7] as forests provide more than 86 million green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more people.[6] For example, in Germany, forests cover nearly a third of the land area,[8] wood is the most important renewable resource, and forestry supports more than a million jobs and about €181 billion of value to the German economy each year.[9]
Worldwide, an estimated 880 million people spend part of their time collecting fuelwood or producing charcoal, many of them women.[6][quantify] Human populations tend to be low in areas of low-income countries with high forest cover and high forest biodiversity, but poverty rates in these areas tend to be high.[6] Some 252 million people living in forests and savannahs have incomes of less than US$1.25 per day.[6]
Over the past centuries, forestry was regarded as a separate science. With the rise of ecology and environmental science, there has been a reordering in the applied sciences. In line with this view, forestry is a primary land-use science comparable with agriculture.[10] Under these headings, the fundamentals behind the management of natural forests comes by way of natural ecology. Forests or tree plantations, those whose primary purpose is the extraction of forest products, are planned and managed to utilize a mix of ecological and agroecological principles.[11] In many regions of the world there is considerable conflict between forest practices and other societal priorities such as water quality, watershed preservation, sustainable fishing, conservation, and species preservation.[12]
Silvology (Latin: silva or sylva, "forests and woods"; Ancient Greek: -λογία, -logia, "science of" or "study of") is the biological science of studying forests and woodlands, incorporating the understanding of natural forest ecosystems, and the effects and development of silvicultural practices. The term complements silviculture, which deals with the art and practice of forest management.[13]
Silvology is seen as a single science for forestry and was first used by Professor Roelof A.A. Oldeman at Wageningen University.[14] It integrates the study of forests and forest ecology, dealing with single tree autecology and natural forest ecology.
Dendrology (Ancient Greek: δÃŽÂÂνδρον, dendron, "tree"; and Ancient Greek: -λογία, -logia, science of or study of) or xylology (Ancient Greek: ξÃÂÂÂλον, ksulon, "wood") is the science and study of woody plants (trees, shrubs, and lianas), specifically, their taxonomic classifications.[15] There is no sharp boundary between plant taxonomy and dendrology; woody plants not only belong to many different plant families, but these families may be made up of both woody and non-woody members. Some families include only a few woody species. Dendrology, as a discipline of industrial forestry, tends to focus on identification of economically useful woody plants and their taxonomic interrelationships. As an academic course of study, dendrology will include all woody plants, native and non-native, that occur in a region. A related discipline is the study of sylvics, which focuses on the autecology of genera and species.
The provenance of forest reproductive material used to plant forests has a great influence on how the trees develop, hence why it is important to use forest reproductive material of good quality and of high genetic diversity.[16] More generally, all forest management practices, including in natural regeneration systems, may impact the genetic diversity of trees.
The term genetic diversity describes the differences in DNA sequence between individuals as distinct from variation caused by environmental influences. The unique genetic composition of an individual (its genotype) will determine its performance (its phenotype) at a particular site.[17]
Genetic diversity is needed to maintain the vitality of forests and to provide resilience to pests and diseases. Genetic diversity also ensures that forest trees can survive, adapt and evolve under changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, genetic diversity is the foundation of biological diversity at species and ecosystem levels. Forest genetic resources are therefore important to consider in forest management.[16]
Genetic diversity in forests is threatened by forest fires, pests and diseases, habitat fragmentation, poor silvicultural practices and inappropriate use of forest reproductive material.
About 98 million hectares of forest were affected by fire in 2015; this was mainly in the tropical domain, where fire burned about 4 percent of the total forest area in that year. More than two-thirds of the total forest area affected was in Africa and South America. Insects, diseases and severe weather events damaged about 40 million hectares of forests in 2015, mainly in the temperate and boreal domains.[18]
Furthermore, the marginal populations of many tree species are facing new threats due to the effects of climate change.[16]
Most countries in Europe have recommendations or guidelines for selecting species and provenances that can be used in a given site or zone.[17]
Forest management is a branch of forestry concerned with overall administrative, legal, economic, and social aspects, as well as scientific and technical aspects, such as silviculture, forest protection, and forest regulation. This includes management for timber, aesthetics, recreation, urban values, water, wildlife, inland and nearshore fisheries, wood products, plant genetic resources, and other forest resource values.[19] Management objectives can be for conservation, utilisation, or a mixture of the two. Techniques include timber extraction, planting and replanting of different species, building and maintenance of roads and pathways through forests, and preventing fire.
The first dedicated forestry school was established by Georg Ludwig Hartig at Hungen in the Wetterau, Hesse, in 1787, though forestry had been taught earlier in central Europe, including at the University of Giessen, in Hesse-Darmstadt.
In Spain, the first forestry school was the Forest Engineering School of Madrid (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes), founded in 1844.
The first in North America, the Biltmore Forest School was established near Asheville, North Carolina, by Carl A. Schenck on September 1, 1898, on the grounds of George W. Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. Another early school was the New York State College of Forestry, established at Cornell University just a few weeks later, in September 1898.
Early 19th century North American foresters went to Germany to study forestry. Some early German foresters also emigrated to North America.
In South America the first forestry school was established in Brazil, in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, in 1962, and moved the next year to become a faculty at the Federal University of Paraná, in Curitiba.[34]
Today, forestry education typically includes training in general biology, ecology, botany, genetics, soil science, climatology, hydrology, economics and forest management. Education in the basics of sociology and political science is often considered an advantage. Professional skills in conflict resolution and communication are also important in training programs.[35]
In India, forestry education is imparted in the agricultural universities and in Forest Research Institutes (deemed universities). Four year degree programmes are conducted in these universities at the undergraduate level. Masters and Doctorate degrees are also available in these universities.
In the United States, postsecondary forestry education leading to a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.[36]
In Canada the Canadian Institute of Forestry awards silver rings to graduates from accredited university BSc programs, as well as college and technical programs.[37]
In many European countries, training in forestry is made in accordance with requirements of the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area.
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations is the only international organization that coordinates forest science efforts worldwide.[38]
In order to keep up with changing demands and environmental factors, forestry education does not stop at graduation. Increasingly, forestry professionals engage in regular training to maintain and improve on their management practices. An increasingly popular tool are marteloscopes; one hectare large, rectangular forest sites where all trees are numbered, mapped and recorded.
These sites can be used to do virtual thinnings and test one's wood quality and volume estimations as well as tree microhabitats. This system is mainly suitable to regions with small-scale multi-functional forest management systems
Forestry literature is the books, journals and other publications about forestry.
The first major works about forestry in the English language included Roger Taverner's Booke of Survey (1565), John Manwood's A Brefe Collection of the Lawes of the Forrest (1592) and John Evelyn's Sylva (1662).[39]
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The Society of American Foresters grants accreditation only to specific educational curricula that lead to a first professional degree in forestry at the bachelor's or master's level.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 Key findings​, FAO, FAO.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (license statement/permission). Text taken from The State of the World's Forests 2020. Forests, biodiversity and people – In brief​, FAO & UNEP, FAO & UNEP.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023​, FAO, FAO.
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