The City of Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board presents
May, 2012 Content: • Definitions of Trees and Palms • Types of Trees and PPlalms • Differences between Trees and Palms • How to Select a Nursery Tree • How to Plant a Tree • Selecting a Location • Plant Establishment • Fertilizer Certification and Restrictions • Why and How to Prune a Tree • Why and How to Prune a Palm
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 2 What is Tree?
Definition for Tree:
• A tree is a perennial woody plant with many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single or sometimes multiple main stem or trunk.
1. The ir roots prevention erosi on 2. They provide a weather‐sheltered ecosystem 3. They produce oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide 4. They provide shade and moderate ground temperatures
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 3 What is Tree?
Definition for Canopy:
• In biology, canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant communityyyp formed by plant crowns
• For forests, canopy refers to the upper layer or habitat zone formed by mature tree crowns ‐ home to flora and fauna not found in other layers of the forests
• The term canopy is often used to refer to the crown or extent of the outer layer of leaves of an individual tree or ggproup of trees
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 4 What is Tree?
Definition for Shade Tree:
• Any tree grown specifically for its shade
• Usually applies to large trees with spreading canopies
• Shad e t rees normall y have a dense canopy tha t bloc ks sunlight from lower growing plants
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 5 What is Tree?
Importance of Canopy/Shade Trees:
• Can protect from strong winds and storms • Intercepts precipitation • Provides shade • Conserves energy used in heating and cooling homes • Enhances privacy by obstructing the view • Buffers noises
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 6 What is Tree?
Some of the most pppopular shade trees in Florida are:
• Black Olive • Elm • Jacaranda • Magnolia • Maple • Oak • Poinciana • Slash Pine • Sweet Gum
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 7 What is a Palm?
Definition for Palm Tree:
• Palm Trees (Arecaceae or Palmae) are the only family in the monocot order Arecales
• Mostly distinguished by large, compound, evergreen ldleaves arranged at tthhe tftop of an un‐bhdtbranched stem (some exceptions)
• There are roughly 200 genera with more than 2000 species
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 8 What is a Palm?
Importance of Palm Trees:
• Inhabit diverse habitats from rainforests to deserts
• Among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families
• Many products and foods are derived from palms
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 9 What is a Palm?
Importance of Palm Trees:
• Widely used in landscaping for their exotic appearance
• Symbols in many cultures for ideas such as victory, peace, and fertility
• Remain a popular symbol for the tropics and vacations
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 10 Ty pes of Palms
Palmate: • Have fan‐like leaves like fingers around the palm of a hand ‐ hence the name.
Pinna te: • Have fronds that resemble feathers, with a center stem from which many smaller leaves grow out from it.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 11 EamplesExamples of Palm Types
Palmate: • Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto) • Washingg(ton Palm (Washingonia spp.) • Florida silver Palm (Coccothrinax argentata)
Pinnate: • Royal Palm (Roystonea spp.) • Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) • Butia Palm (Butia spp.)
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 12 Differences betw een Trees and Palms
Monocots versus Dicots
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 13 Differences betw een Trees and Palms
Monocots are typically Dicots can be herbaceous herbaceous with some tree or woody form varieties like palms
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 14 How to Select a Nursery Tree
Evaluating The Trunk and Branches:
Good Quality: • A dominant trunk or central leader up to the canopy top • Branches are smaller than 1/2 to 2/3 the trunk diameter • Branches are spaced along the single trunk • Some branches in the lower 1/2 of the tree
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 15 How to Select a Nursery Tree
Evaluating The Trunk and Branches:
Poor Quality: • Multiple trunks or stems originating from one point • Two or more dominant leaders or trunks • Branches are unevenly spaced along the trunk • No branches in the lower 1/2 of the tree
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 16 How to Select a Nursery Tree
Evaluating The Root System:
Good Quality: • Trees bend along the trunk when pushed to the side. Poor Quality: • Trees pivot at the base of the trunk because they are planted too deeply . • Or their roots may be circling
Avoid planting trees with circling roots!!!
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 17 How to Plant a Tree
The Proper Method:
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 18 How to Plant a Tree
What Not To Do:
The bigges t cause of tree filfailure is pltilanting too dldeeply.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 19 How to Plant a Tree
After Planting: Research shows: • No need to add amendments, fertilizers, etc. • Use the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. • Trees with good structure need no pruning at planting except for broken titwigs.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 20 Right Tree, Right Place: Tree roots can extend up to 3 X tree height Or up to 5 X canopy diameter!
Things to Consider When Selecting a Tree:
• Size at maturity • Rate of growth • Life span • Evergreen or deciduous • Aggressive root systems
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 21 Right Tree, Right Place:
• Plant with ample space away from structures. • Many canopy trees have invasive root systems. • This varies by tree species.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 22 Watering:
Research shows: • Recently transplanted trees establish quickest with light, frequent irrigation. • Trees need 3 months of regular irrigation per 1 inch of trunk diameter to establish its root system (hardiness zones 911). • Each irrigation, apply about 2 gallons of water per 1 inch trunk diameter over the root ball only. • IitiIrrigation hlhelps encourage and maitiintain a didominan t ldleader.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 23 Watering:
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 24 Watering:
Under –irrigated trees: • Require additional time to establish because roots grow slower. • Develop low, codominant stems and double leaders that can split from the tree later.
Most trees are underirrigated during the establishment.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 25 Fertilizing:
Research shows that:
• Slow release fertilizer at planting does not improve survival nor growth.
• More fertilizer is used by trees when applied during growing season.
• After establishment , fertilized trees may develop fewer dead branches.
However, adding soluble fertilizer to newly installed trees could injure or kill the plant.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 26 Fertilizer Certification: On June 18, 2009, the Florida Governor signed into law SB 494 requiring all commercial fertilizer applicators to have an FDACS fertili zer li cense by January 1, 2014.
On May 26th, the Manatee County Board of County commissioners passed a local fertilizer ordinance for Manatee County which requires that all commercial applicators obtain the Fertilizer Certification by June 1st, 2012 instead of 2014.
This ordinance also requires that all other employees in the company (except clerical) take a Landscape BMP class to obtain a Landscape Certification.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 27 Fertilizer Restrictions: Restricted Season: No N or P application between June 1st and September 30th Weather Restrictions: No N or P application if a Severe Thunderstorm, Flood, Tropical Storm, Hurricane or heavy rain is forecasted Application RestrictionsPhosphorus: No phosphorus application unless soil tests show deficiency and are filed with the County Administrator Application Restrictions–Nitrogen: Lowest recommended rates in BMPs with no more than • 4 lbs /1000 sq. ft./year slow release • 0.5 lbs //q/pp1000 sq. ft./application
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 28 Fertilizer Restrictions: Slow Release Fertilizers: All granular fertilizer shall contain no less than 50% slow release nitrogen Other Restrictions: No nitrogen first 30 days of new turf or landscape plants FertilizerFree Zone: No fertilizer within 10 ’ from the top of bank of any surface waterbody, wetland, or seawall Grass & Landscape Debris: Must not be washed,,p, swept, blown, or deposited into stormwater conveyances or roadways AlitiApplication MthdMethod restititrictions: AftiliAny fertilizer applied/spilled/deposited on impervious surfaces must be immediately removed
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 29 Mulching: During establishment: • Maintain mulch 2 Ft. in diameter for each 1 inch of tree trunk. • Minimum mulch diameter should be 6 Ft. for trees with a trunk diameter less than 3 inches.
• Apply a thinner layer of mulch over the root ball. • Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk so bark can dry. • Once tree is established, the mulch area can be reduced in size. • Even established trees are healthiest when grown in large mulched areas. Weed and turf suppression during establishment is essential!
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 30 Mulching: • Fresh wood mulch can enhance pathogens such as Fusarium and shot gun fungi. • If used, do so only in areas that already have some mulch.
• Composted yard waste makes great mulch and may suppress Phytophthora and Armellaria infection.
• Pine bark mulch does not hold nitrogen.
• Hardwood mulches may need additional nitrogen to prevent nitrogen deficiencies in nearby plants.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 31 Why and How to Prune a Tree: : Safety (Fig. A). Remove branches that could: • Cause injury or property damage. • Interfere with lines of sight on streets or driveways. • Grow into utility lines.
Health (Fig. B). Remove: • Diseased or insect‐infested wood. • Thin crown to increase airflow. • Remove crossing and rubbing branches.
Aesthetics (Fig. C.) Prune to: • Enhance the natural form and character of the tree. • Stimulate flower production.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 32 Why and How to Prune a Tree: Young Trees: Prune to emphasize • Good structure. • Dominant, central leader.
Mature Trees: Prune to maintain • Tree structure. • Form. • Health • Appearance.
Remove competing leaders: • Every 2 to 3 years for the first 15 years. • Then every 4 to 5 years until the tree is about 30 years old.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 33 Why and How to Prune a Tree: WHEN TO PRUNE: Prune hardwoods in dormant season to: 1. Easily see the structure of the tree 2. Maximize wound closure in the growing season after pruning 3. Reduce the chance of disease transmission 4. Discourage excessive sap flow from wounds Prune conifers any time
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 34 Common Types of Pruning:
1. CROWN THINNING: • SlSelecti ve removal of bbhranches to increase light penetration and air movement throughout the crown of a tree. • Performed to maintain or develop a tree's structure and form. • Branches to be removed are shaded in blue. • Pruning cuts are made at the red lines. Cut no more than ¼ of the living branches at a time.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 35 Common Types of Pruning:
2. CROWN RAISING: • RiRemoving bottom bhbranches from the crown of a tree. • Performed to provide clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, lines of sight, etc. • Branches to be removed are shaded in blue. • Pruning cuts are made at the red lines.
The ratio of live crown to total tree height should be at least 2/3.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 36 Common Types of Pruning:
3. CROWN REDUCTION: • Crown rediduction pruning is used when a tree has grown too large for its space. • This is a method of last resort, which often results in large pruning wounds that may lead to decay. • Branches to be removed are shaded in blue. • Pruning cuts are made at the red lines. Cuts should be made at lateral branches at least 1/3 the diameter of the stem at their union. May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 37 Pruning Trees: 1. PRUNING LIVE BRANCHES: • A proper pruning cut does not damage either the branch bark ridge or the branch collar.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 38 Pruning Trees: 1. PRUNING LIVE BRANCHES (QUALITY): • A concentric ring of “woundwood” will form from proper pruning cuts after one growing season.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 39 Pruning Trees: 2. PRUNING DEAD BRANCHES: • Dead branches are pruned similar to live branches and the correct cut is easier because the branch collar and the branch bark ridge can be distinguished from the dead branch.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 40 Improper Pruning that Harms Trees:
TOPPING: • The pruni ng of l arge upright branches between nodes to reduce the height of a tree (Fig . A) . TIPPING: • ThepracticeofcuttingThe practice of cutting lateral branches between nodes to reduce crown width ((gFig. B) . • These practices invariably result in Crown reduction pruning is the preferred method to reduce the size or height of the improper growth or the crown of a tree. death of the cut branch.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 41 Improper Pruning that Harms Trees:
IMPROPER PRUNING CUTS: • CiCauses unnecessary injury and bark ripping (Fig. 7C). FLUSH CUTS: • Injure stem tissue and can result in decay (Fig. 7D).
STUB CUTS: • Delay wound closure (Fig . E). • Can provide entry to canker fungi that kill living tissue. • Delays or prevents “woundwood” formation.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 42 Improper Pruning that Harms Trees:
FLUSH CUTS: • Often close with a slit; proper cuts close with a circle. • Are entry point for decay because the branch protection zone is removed.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 43 Improper Pruning that Harms Trees: Stub Cuts don’t heal properly!properly!
STUB CUTS: • Open tree up for disease and damaging agents.
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 44 Pruning Palms:
Reasons to Prune: 1. To remove dddead or didying fdfronds 2. Potential fire hazards 3. Safety and visibility 4. Prevent damage to buildings during high winds 5. To remove fruit and seeds
DON’T REMOVE GREEN FRONDS ! Removing green fronds affects the health of the palm!
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 45 Pruning Palms:
NEVER REMOVE GREEN FRONDS!
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 46 Minimize Pruning:
Over Pruning: • WkWeakens the palm and slows its growth • Can cause narrowing of the trunk and decline in fronds size • Nutrients the are lost to the rest of the palm • Fronds may take 3 to 5 years to mature • Palm fronds are naturally cantilevered to survive in high winds Fronds should be at 3 and 9 position after pruning
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 47 Minimize Pruning:
Simple Rules: • If the ffdrond is yellow, brown or broken prune it off • Remove loose petioles or boots by hand • Remove flower and fruit stalks • Never top palms • Always use clean equipment, including saws and pgpruning sheers Never take off more than can be produced in a single year!
May 2012 Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board 48 The City of Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board
This program is made possible by Keep MMtanatee BtiflBeautiful and an UUbrban and Community Forestry Grant from the US Forest Serv ice throu gh the Florida Forest Service
May, 2012 The City of Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board
Special Thanks to The ManateeCounty Cooperative Extension Office for their help in developing this presentation.
May, 2012 The City of Bradenton Tree & Land Preservation Board
Any Questions? May, 2012