[CANUFNET] Idea for the canufnet - A database

Sat May 26 13:25:12 EDT 2012

What a great idea. I have often searched past postings for information with 
great difficulty.
Mark Peterson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike James" <mjames at deeproot.com>
To: <canufnet at list.web.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: [CANUFNET] Idea for the canufnet - A database

The canufnet is a great resource for Urban Foresters and those of us 
interested in Tree Issues.

I am wondering if a database based on Subject Categories could be created to 
make this resource more valuable.

Each post/string of post would be catalogued on a searchable database by 
either date/subject/author.

This way in 2 years when you are trying to remember what advise was given 
about repairing sidewalks around mature trees...for example, you could 
search on the subject and review the various strings of advise provided over 
the years.

This may be a programming project for a summer student or a Thesis Project 
for a Urban Forestry Grad.

I am assuming that canufnet has a database of their old posts that could be 
catalogued.

Mike James
DeepRoot Canada Corp.
Tel: 1 800 561 3883
Tel: (604) 687-0899
Cell: (604) 220 9521
Fax: (604) 684-6744
Green Infrastructure For Your Community

-----Original Message-----
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Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2012 9:00 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: CANUFNET Digest, Vol 88, Issue 11

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: sidewalk bridging over roots (Trevor Thistle)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:06 -0600
From: Trevor Thistle <Trevor.Thistle at edmonton.ca>
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network' <canufnet at list.web.net>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] sidewalk bridging over roots
Message-ID:
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Hi All,

Here in Edmonton we are doing Neighborhood renewal (street, sidewalk and 
curb reconstruction) on a massive scale (8 neighborhoods a year and 12 
starting next year). There are thousands of mature trees affected by this 
construction every year and at this scale it is impossible to do hand work 
around every tree.

This is what we do:

 *   Sidewalk and curb removal is done mechanically around all trees, paying 
close attention to minimizing root damage and excavation depths as we pass 
the tree. Root damage is often unavoidable but in the past few years we have 
come a long way and we seldom have to cut or shave a structural root for 
sidewalk construction. Most of the root damage is peeled bark, which is 
still not ideal but is progress and a good compromise between productivity 
and tree conservation.

 *   We narrow streets whenever possible to allow sidewalks and curbs to be 
reconstructed further from the roots. This results in less root damage and 
the addition of rooting area for the trees.

 *   We have abandoned the idea that sidewalks have to be straight. Where 
property lines allow us and drainage issues keep us from raising grades to 
get sidewalks over roots, we bend sidewalks around roots. So, we may have 
sections of separate sidewalk that are serpentine. For the most part our 
citizens quite like the finished product.

 *   Where we cannot change sidewalk alignments, we have developed what we 
call a "Tree Treatment". This is a process where we minimize the excavation 
depth where the structural root plate of the trees and the sidewalk overlap. 
Through a combination of grade raising and adjusting the thickness of the 
base and concrete we manage to overcome most root obstacles. Also the 
section of concrete that passes the tree (the length varies depending on the 
tree size) is reinforced with extra rebar to resist heaving. In addition, 
the concrete is scored every 12-16 inches, the theory is that these scores 
will allow the concrete to crack where we can hide the cracks and allows the 
sidewalk to bend and not become disjointed as the tree grows.

 *   Finally, an urban forester monitors the projects and makes a list of 
trees that have sustained moderate to severe root damage. Very rarely do we 
need to remove a tree that has been rendered hazardous due to root damage. 
The trees that make this list are watered and fertilized for 3 years to aid 
them in recovery from construction damage.

If you have any question fell free to contact me.

Trevor Thistle B.Sc. (Forestry)
Urban Forester & ISA Certified Arborist
The City of Edmonton,
Neighbourhoods and Parks
Forestry Services
Ph: (780) 944-7833
Fax: (780) 496-4978
Cell: (780) 913-5893

________________________________
From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] 
On Behalf Of Ian Wilson
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 8:12 AM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] sidewalk bridging over roots

Jeremy, that will likely be part of the strategy.  However conventional 
sidewalk construction would probably damage a lot of roots in this case even 
if we raise the grade - and the sidewalk is likely to crack in a few years. 
Thus we are looking at the bridging or rubber sidewalks options

Thanks Ian

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] 
On Behalf Of Jeremy Gye
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:21 AM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] sidewalk bridging over roots

Hi Ian,
Is there any latitude to play with the grading/profile of the sidewalk, in 
order to accommodate the roots using a more conventional sidewalk 
construction approach?

Jeremy

E-mail: jgye at shaw.ca

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] 
On Behalf Of Ian Wilson
Sent: May-18-12 2:57 PM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: [CANUFNET] sidewalk bridging over roots

ALL-

Kelowna is looking at a new sidewalk installation next to some mature street 
trees (red oaks).  In the past we have successfully used rubber sidewalks in 
these types of situations but in this case it's going to be a multi-use 
corridor and there are concerns that the rubber surface is not as suitable 
for roller blades, etc. because of the seams.

I have a couple of questions:

1)       Anybody else have experience with rubber sidewalks in these 
situations and whether the bumps are an issue?

2)      Another possible solution is reinforced concrete bridging over the 
roots.  Does anybody have specifications for bridged sidewalk construction 
that they could send to me?

Thanks

Ian

Ian Wilson, Park Services Manager
Park Services

TEL 250 469-8842
FAX 250 862-3335

City of Kelowna 1359 KLO road, Kelowna, BC  V1W 3N8 
kelowna.ca<http://www.kelowna.ca/>
Have City news delivered direct to your inbox. 
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