Olson Tree Care
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Diagnostic and Consulting Tree Care Arborist.
Proper Tree Selection
Proper Tree Selection
Selecting trees goes far beyond structure to a Certified Arborist and is one of the last things to look for when selecting a tree. To those who are structural and aesthetic purists, this is blasphemy.
If an Arborist does not look at structure first, what should they look at when selecting a tree?
Olson Tree Care's 5 steps to Proper Tree Selection.
1. Healthy Foliage and lots of it. A healthy tree is evidence by its leaves. Sparse, disfigured and discolored foliage frequents an unhealthy tree.
2. Root bound in pot. It is unnatural to have a 12 foot tree with a 2 foot root. Leading to grotesque root structure, it is an easy fix by selecting the smallest tree available. Sliding the container off and inspecting is a must.
3. Scratches on trunk. Thin bark is easily damaged and is thought to be easily overcome. While a tree has a greater ability to heal when young, a simple scratch can turn into necrosis in a short amount of time.
4. Grubs and other insects in container. A small population of root eating insects will turn into a large population and when placed in the root ball it is a recipe for disaster.
5. Trunk Flare (taper). A tree is not a post. The youngest of trees should begin to show signs. Lack of flare may mean that something nasty is being hidden below.
Structure mostly pleases people in the selection of trees........ not trees.
Tree Longevity
Tree Longevity
A trees ability to grow to maturity, live long without the threat of disease or failure should be the sole factor in Proper Tree Selection. Good luck telling the world this fact!
Public opinion judges a winner by selecting a tree with the fewest perceived negatives.
2 implied “negatives” that often tip the scales of public opinion...
- A Tree is messy.
- A Tree Grows to slow.
This methodology of improper tree selection rules out some of the best trees.
Some of the factors Olson Tree Care in Des Moines, Iowa would consider in Proper Tree Selection...
- Space to grow in planting location.
- Mature size and life span potential.
- Low maintenance requirements.
- Disease resistance.
Trees that require removal within 50 years or excessive maintenance are not as beneficial to the environment and are an economic disaster to our communities.
The Arborist at Olson Tree Care has identified 2 Proper Trees to Select in Des Moines, Iowa...
- Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) slow growing, more disease tolerant than red oaks, long lived and large.
- American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) disease tolerant, low pruning requirements, wind resistant and large.