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Educational Sessions

Arboriculture Research and Education Academy (AREA)

Development of Sustainable Strategies in Urban Tropical Vegetation Management: An Examination of Pruning Practices in Trinidad and Tobago West Indies
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
12:20 PM — 12:50 PM
Osceola 1, 2, 3
A, U, T, M, L, Bm

Frequent pruning of branches and foliage for crown reduction and for thinning canopies is routinely practiced as a viable strategy to maintaining tropical green spaces in Trinidad and Tobago and several Caribbean islands and in south America. Fast growth rates coupled with year round growing seasons contribute to canopies in some tropical plant species which are in need of annual management especially in high urban traffic areas. This study incorporates data from a three year study which examined the frequency of pruning needs with tropical plant species. In addition callusing of pruned sites were examined after destructive sampling, although stub cuts were routinely made wound wood recovery was efficient in many of the species examined. Of 22 species of plants examined, Guava Psidium guajava L., grew fastest, six other species including Tectona grandis wound callus rates were significantly lower compared to all other species and may not be ideal plant material for frequent pruning and to be installed in high use urban areas. Overall canopy health scores and chlorophyll readings of foliage in heavily managed vegetation was not significantly different from that of foliage at unmanaged sites in similar conditions. These data can help guide programs as strategies are sought in planning for restoration activities and sustainable maintenance practices of tropical plant material in the Caribbean.

Presenter Information

- Anand Persad
  Anand B. Persad, PhD, BCE
  
  Education / Experience: Postdoctorate: University of Florida, Gainesville- Invasive Species, Insect Molecular Genetics, Hi-Fidelity PCR. 2001-2003 Doctorate; invertebrate Ecology/ Entomology, The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad, WI. 2000 MSc. Level accreditation in Applied Entomology and Advanced Statistics, UWI 2000 BSc. Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad, 1992.
  
  Work Experience: Researcher/ Lecturer; Davey Institute, 2003 to current. Current activity include: Invasive species research, ecology and planning urban landscapes; vertebrate and invertebrate interactions with community green spaces. Manager of Plant Sciences and the Davey Plant Diagnostic Unit Entomologist: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL., 2001 to 2003. Studies on Insect molecular genetics/ Developed novel techniques using High Fidelity PCR Assays/ Biological control of invasive species Research Entomologist, 1999. University of Florida/ USDA, Orlando, FL