[CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

[Julian Dunster]

It is good to see the many planting initiates underway. It would be 
useful to know how many of these include a capital budget for :

a) ensuring the trees get properly established ( so, say a 4-5 year 
watering and weeding protocol) and

b) what the actual survival rates are.

Over the past few decades I have seen many well intentioned tree 
planting schemes attracting headlines. Far fewer actually succeeded in 
creating long term tree canopy. It is an ongoing issue.


Many of my municipal colleagues bemoan the waste of money as they plant 
trees but have no budget to water them or maintain them in the years 
after planting, and so the initial capital investment is largely wasted. 
Out here on the west coast, summer drought is now our new reality and 
watering restrictions are commonplace, and even when not enforced, 
watering is expensive. On some sites I am finding it hard to locate 
anyone who can water trees well -  as opposed to simply dumping x 
gallons of water on the ground and assuming it will work.  I also find 
that gator bags have very variable success. Just because they are there 
does not automatically mean they work. They need filling regularly, and 
they need maintenance. I am seeing a lot of case where they encourage 
moulds / fungi and insect when placed too close to the tree trunk, and 
other cases where ants seem to love the moisture but plug the drains 
holes with mud.


How many of you have a capital budget to ensure planting success?

What is the percentage  failure rate of the trees planted?

jd

On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.


Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist,
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist # 378,
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA

North American distributor for Rinntech
www.dunster.ca
www.treelaw.info
www.rinntech.info