Download Tree Selection

TREE SELECTION
Plant Material Maintenance
Why Trees?
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Sequester carbon
Create ecosystems
Make oxygen
Create shade
Filter pollutants
Reduce noise and wind
Protect soil from
erosion
… and they are nice
to look at!
Matching the tree to the site
Which plant would make the best
screen?
Arborvitae
Burning Bush
Which plant is the best selection for a
soil with a pH of 7.5 – 8?
Pin Oak
Northern Pin Oak
Iron chlorosis on Pin Oak growing in high pH soils
Which shrub is the best selection for a shady,
moist area?
‘Sunset’ Weigela
Summersweet Clethra
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Trees and shrubs with variegated or colored foliage
tend to lose variegation or color when grown in the
shade.
Which of the two evergreens is the
best one to plant in Iowa?
Black Hills Spruce
Scotch Pine
Diplodia tip blight on Pine
“…the Morton Arboretum does not recommend the species (Scotch Pine) for
contemporary landscapes.”
Which species is best suited for growth
in one of these…?
Amelanchier (in flower)
Red Maple (fall color)
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Red Maple:
 very
intolerant of wounding.
 requires acid soils.
 intolerant of restricted root zones.
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Amelanchier:
 adapts
to urban situations including low soil oxygen.
 adapts to restricted root space.
Which of the following Magnolia species has the
best chance of surviving in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Magnolia soulangeana
Magnolia grandiflora
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Magnolia grandidentata is commonly known as Southern Magnolia. It is hardy to
zone 6; Magnolia soulangeana is hardy to zone 4.
Acclimation
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The gradual process by which a given tree adapts
to changes in it’s environment.
 Some
trees acclimate to the shade by producing larger,
thinner leaves.
Microclimate
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The climate specific to
the actual planting site.
Restricted root zones.
 Reflected light and heat
from buildings or paved
areas.
 Exposure to strong winds.
 The soil conditions of the
site.
 Poorly drained, wet soil.
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Site Analysis
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A site analysis is performed before a landscape
plan is designed and installed.
 Climate
 Hardiness
zone; precipitation; light; prevailing winds
 Soil
 pH;
texture; bulk density; CEC; nutrients; volume
 Planting
site
 Surrounding
 Other
buildings; paved surfaces; utilities
plantings
 Existing
trees/shrubs/flowering plants/turf
Tree characteristics to consider
Consider…
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Hardiness
Growth habit
Size
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Attributes
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Height
Spread
Root zone requirements
Flowers, fruit, bark, etc.
Resistance to insects and diseases
Light requirements
Drought resistance
pH requirements
Salt tolerance
Lacebark Elm bark
Honeylocust thorns
Green Ash samaras
Malus ‘Red Jewel’
The End