[CANUFNET] String trimmer damage

[stephen at ufora.ca]

The key point here is don’t listen to the complaints from the public about a few weeds around the trees. The public are entitled to their opinions, but we don’t have to react by doing anything about it. 

 

Train the crews to cut 6 inches away from the tree bases and not try to get every weed, and do what you can to put in flower and mulch beds and guards around them where possible. Have a policy on your website explaining it, and don’t respond to complaints.  The culture of reacting to complaints is the problem. 

 

Stephen Smith

Urban Forest Associates

Urban Forestry & Ecological Restoration

www.ufora.ca

Office/fax 416-423-3387

Cell 416-707-2164

 

From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> On Behalf Of Naomi Zurcher via CANUFNET
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 9:32 AM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Cc: Naomi Zurcher <treerap at sprintmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] String trimmer damage

 

Hi Peter:

 

There is a down side to the manicured state of Central Park that is delivered by the Central Park Conservancy in return for $3,000,000 / annually of NYC taxpayer dollars. In addition to the Shakespeare Garden being locked for use only by Fifth Avenue residents, there are other not-so-great things happening in the Park such as Excavators and other construction equipment being stored within the critical root zones of Park trees.

 

The devil, as always, is in those small details.

 

Naomi





On Nov 14, 2023, at 6:32 PM, Peter Shields via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net> wrote:

 

Hi Dwayne,

If you ever get a chance to visit Central Park, they allow grasses and wildflowers to grow around the base of many of their trees. They also block pedestrian access in many areas, or at least limit access to make it more difficult. This prevents socially built trails, and compaction of course.

 

This is one of the most well-kept parks anywhere and may be an extreme example. But the results are in the pudding. Along with very diligent operators.

 

In Markham, parks staff underwent training each spring, maybe a lecture even from the mean forestry supervisor too, with some success.

 

You'll never get 100%, but minimizing is a goal.  Trying new things like grass/wildflower growth at the base, natural Regen areas, connected mulch beds, etc. will generate some complaints from the public, but public info signs can help too, to inform the public of intentions. 

 

Risk reduction's first line in defense in H and S is removal from the risk, we gotta keep the trimmers and mowers away!

 

Peter

 

  _____  

From: CANUFNET < <mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> on behalf of Dwayne Gilbert via CANUFNET < <mailto:canufnet at list.web.net> canufnet at list.web.net>
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 8:24:50 AM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network ( <mailto:canufnet at list.web.net> canufnet at list.web.net) < <mailto:canufnet at list.web.net> canufnet at list.web.net>
Cc: Dwayne Gilbert < <mailto:Dwayne.Gilbert at mississauga.ca> Dwayne.Gilbert at mississauga.ca>
Subject: [CANUFNET] String trimmer damage

 

Good morning, I have a question for all but perhaps more so for municipal arborists/contract administrators who manage newly planted trees in city parks.

 

*        Have you had issues with other city staff causing damage to young trees with string trimmers while performing maintenance?

 

 

*        If so, did you come up with a solution or various solutions to remedy that problem with good success?

 

 

 

Thank you for your time!

 

Dwayne Gilbert

Woodlands and Natural Areas Technician

Certified Arborist

T.R.A.Q. 

City of Mississauga

(905) 615-3200 ext. 4581

Dwayne.Gilbert at Mississauga.ca <mailto:Dwayne.Gilbert at Mississauga.ca> 

 

 <http://www.mississauga.ca/> City of Mississauga | Community Services Department,

Parks, Forestry and Environment Division

 



Studies show trees last longer when not cut down… 

 

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