Arborist News

There are four types of pruning cuts in arboriculture: branch removal cut, reduction cut, heading cut, and shearing cut. Although pruning live branches has a cost, it is essential to forming good structure, maintaining clearances, mitigating risk, and to meeting other objectives, so it is a necessary part of a tree care program. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

Pruning that is well executed results in a variety of benefits, including: reduced likelihood of whole tree, branch, and stem failure; appropriate (or required) clearance for utilities, buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians; improved health and appearance; and enhanced view. When poorly performed, pruning can harm the tree’s health, stability, and appearance. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

The cost approach produces a cost estimate for repairing, replacing, or restoring the utility of the item. The cost approach is often applied to damaged or destroyed items, tree inventories, preconstruction bonds, and insurance claims. The principle of substitution is the foundation of the cost approach and can be critical to assessing the reasonableness of the conclusions. (A, M, Bp, Bm)

Plant appraisal focuses on trees, shrubs, and other plants as well as associated physical features and maintenance services. Potential assignments are diverse, ranging from one or more trees which may be naturally occurring or planted to project sites that may be income or non-income producing. (Article by The Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers) (A, M, T, Bp)

Appraisers form opinions of value that are based on data. Data are facts that provide the basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculations. The exact data needed for an appraisal will vary with the assignment, approach, method, and technique applied. (A, M, T, Bp)

Appraisal is a systematic process that uses both quantitative analysis and qualitative judgment to develop and communicate an assignment result of either a cost or a value. (A, T, Bp, Bm)

This article introduces common appraisal terms and core concepts such as value, cost, and the economic principles that provide the foundation for plant and landscape valuation. (A, M, Bs)

This second article on nursery production systems discusses the potential influence of production methods on root architecture and growth, pest and disease susceptibility, establishment, drought tolerance, and tree survivability. (A, M, Bs)

Urban trees typically do not survive as long as trees in native settings, and their survival depends on many factors, including nursery production systems. This article, the first of two in a series, introduces and compares common nursery production systems and their influence on the performance and survivability of urban trees. (A, M, Bs)

This second article about wood decay by Christine Balk, Chelsi Abbott, and A.D. Ali focuses on identification and management of wood decay fungi encountered in urban settings. Learn the three types of wood decay fungi that can cause damage, and the role that decay plays in increasing tree risk. (A, T, L, Bs) 

One biotic problem for trees is wood decay fungi. This article by Christine Balk, Chelsi Abbott, and A.D. Ali, the first of a two-part series, provides an overview of the complexities of fungi, explains the general life cycle of a fungus, and describes what to look for when identifying fungal fruiting bodies. (A, T, L, Bs)

The survival of tree-dependent wildlife species is influenced by how arborists manage trees, even in urban areas. In this article, Brian French explores wildlife considerations when making care decisions about trees. (A, M, Bp)