[CANUFNET] Soil Cells, Salt, & Poor Leaf Expansion

[Michael Richardson]

There are a number of issues to consider, all require investigation and
testing.

Soil cells and soil pits have been in the news for multiple failures in
Ontario (and lots that the news has not been reported).

Hire someone to help you.

M


> Hello CANUFNET,
>
> I'm wondering whether anyone has come across this.  We have two
> streetscape projects (different municipalities) that include soil cells
> installed over the last two years.  The Freeman Maples, in particular,
> have been unsuccessful and typically leaf expansion begins and then stops.
>  The very small leaves turn brown, as though scorched.  On one project,
> Freeman Maples were also planted in sod and the trees are fine.
>
> Both projects were installed by the same contractor and I believe they
> used soil from the same source.  In both projects, stormwater is directed
> to the soil cells from the catchbasins.
>
> The contractor has indicated that it is the high salt level in the soil
> (in the soil cells) that is causing the trees to fail.  They have had the
> soil tested (probably at the tree pit) and it is high in salt.
>
> That said, Freeman Maples have been used successfully in soil cells on
> other projects.
>
> I haven't seen this symptom attributed to soil salt... where the buds
> break and the leaves start to expand, but then stop.  Is this a symptom of
> high salinity or is this perhaps something else, exacerbated by less than
> ideal soil salt levels?  I've had someone suggest maybe verticillium.  Any
> ideas?
>
> [cid:image001.png at 01D8772A.AB051B40] [cid:image002.png at 01D8772B.08638AB0]
>
> Thank you.
>
> Regards,
> Alison
>
> Alison Bond BSc MSc BLA OALA CSLA
> Landscape Architect and Certified Arborist
>
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