Rights and responsibilities for trees in front of houses vary across states and municipalities. Residential yards abutting public roadways are often overlain by a right-of-way adjacent to the pavement that permits the municipality or state to maintain the road and …
Are pine trees a good option for planting around my home for energy conservation?
All pine species have evergreen needles and grow seed cones; however, pine species vary considerably in where they are found, how big they get, and how fast they grow. Therefore, pine species also vary in their potential for energy conservation …
What should I do after a storm has damaged my tree(s)?
Storm-damaged trees should be evaluated by a professional arborist. A Certified or Consulting Arborist may recommend removal or various improvement measures such as pruning, cabling, lightning protection, root invigoration, fertilization, etc.
The Arbor Day Foundation has a nice page …
Is soil erosion a serious problem in urban areas?
Plants such as trees and grasses help hold the soil in place. Soil erosion is a serious problem in urban areas due to the loss of vegetation from construction, neglect, and/or overuse of surfaces in public recreation and gathering places. …
Do urban forests play a role in mitigating global climate change?
Urban trees play a role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide directly by storing carbon in the trunk, branches, roots, and leaves until these tree parts die and decay. Trees also reduce energy consumption by shading the sun, cooling the air, …
Planting Urban Trees: Maintenance Requirements
Too often trees are forgotten and not maintained after being planted. A tree requires proper care, especially in the early stages of its development, to prevent health problems. Consider the following checklist when planting a tree:
- Are there adequate resources
Urban Soils: Contamination and Urban Trees
Soil can be contaminated by masonry, wood, paper, asphalt, paint, fuel, cement, oil, salt, or other materials. Contamination may occur across an entire site, such as an industrial property, or in spots, such as concrete washouts and refueling areas. This …
Tree Planting in Cities (Part 2): Site Preparation
Proper preparation of the planting site is critical to good root development. In urban areas, site preparation may require special planning because of the type of planting site, such as street or parking lot plantings. Also, when preparing the site, …
Urban Soils: Temperature Extremes and Moderating Soil Temperature
Credit: Raina Sheridan
Temperature extremes can alter the chemical and biological characteristics of soils. Urban locations often have higher soil temperatures than rural areas because of the heat that is absorbed by and reflected from buildings, sidewalks, streets, and vehicles. …
Urban Soils: Correcting Low Soil Moisture
Photo Credit: Raina Sheridan
Lack of moisture in the soil is as harmful as too much water. Low soil moisture can be caused by high temperature, drought, high salt content, sandy soils, and improperly timed irrigation systems. Impervious surfaces can …