[CANUFNET] long-term effects of poor transplanting

[netami.stuart at utoronto.ca]

Hi there,
I'm inspecting an urban creek restoration project where the contractor  
is planting caliper trees and then not giving them an initial watering  
until several days later.  The contract administrator and I are trying  
to encourage better tree planting practices by fining the contractor  
for not carrying out the planting as specified.  We need to be able to  
say to the client that by not watering the trees initially upon  
planting, there will be long-term as well as short-term consequences.

I know that trees suffer short-term shock and stress during  
transplanting, especially if they are not watered properly.  Can this  
shock and stress have _long-term_ effects on the health of the tree if  
it survives the transplanting? Will the tree be in poorer health 20-50  
years down the road if it withstood severe shock during transplanting?

Any thoughts and references will be an encouragement to the Ontario  
landscaping industry to adhere to proper planting procedures.

Thanks!
Netami Stuart