[CANUFNET] CTLA appraisals in Ontario

[Ian Wilson]

Oliver,

In the Pacific NW ISA Chapter we gave staghorn sumac a rating of 55.  In my area (interior British Columbia) sumac is somewhat invasive and I would tend to rate it lower, although I have seen it used successfully for stabilizing steep banks and it also seems to be very drought resistant.

Acer negundo has a bad reputation for good reasons, but there is a clone of Acer negundo that we have experimented with in the last five years - Acer negundo 'Sensation'.  It's a male cultivar (no seeds or boxelder bugs), it has an attractive reddish leaf colour (year round) and is a medium size tree.  It is relatively fast growing so I suspect in the long run it might have some of the weak wood and decay issues as the Acer negundo species, but in the right place I think it might be a good tree choice.  I have been impressed with this tree in parking lot islands and in sidewalk cutouts where there is very limited soil and harsh conditions that would kill most trees.  At a Canadian Tire parking lot near my house I have watched some of these trees over the last 8 years growing in very small volumes of soil and as a result they are growing quite slowly, but they don't seem to be showing any symptoms of decline or stress and they aren't lifting any asphalt (not yet anyway) in spite of the lack of any root barriers.

One tree that I've been impressed with as an American elm alternative is Zelkova serrata.  We don't have too many of them but they seem to be very vigorous and well adapted to boulevards and difficult sites, and quite attractive.

I don't think we've ever paid a nursery / landscaper for a quote - I would expect they would offer free quotes if they want our business.

Ian Wilson
City of Kelowna





From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Oliver Reichl
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 7:18 AM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: [CANUFNET] CTLA appraisals in Ontario

Greetings:

I'm doing a large appraisal project that has brought up a couple of interesting issues. I'm keen to hear your opinions.

1) the Ontario supplement does not contain a species rating for Staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina. What would you consider the best alternative to use for a species rating? (I have one in mind ... just curious to hear what others may have used and why).
2) Acer negundo (crapwood) and Ulmus americana (disease-prone) are not available in the marketplace. What would you consider the best alternatives to use for replacement plant material? (Again, I have ones in mind ... but curious to hear what others suggest or may have used and why).
3) quotes for replacement trees and their delivery/installation are an integral part of the valuations. How much, if anything, would you pay a nursery or landscaping firm for a quote?

Looking forward to any replies,

Oliver K. Reichl, B.E.S.(Hons)
Consulting Arborist-Ecologist
ISA Certified Arborist #ON-1178A
18 Larue Mills Rd.
1000 Islands, ON  K0E 1R0
Tel: 613-923-8833
Email: careofthetrees at gmail.com<mailto:careofthetrees at gmail.com>
Web: www.oliverkilian.com/treecare<http://www.oliverkilian.com/treecare>
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