Doing More With Less Tree Maintenance from the Ground - Maximizing Volunteer and DPW Work Efforts Presented by John Linson NJCTE #198 At the 86th Annual Conference New Jersey Shade Tree Federation Cherry Hill, NJ Saturday, October 22, 2011 theshadetreedepartment@live.com
1. Tree Inspections and Assessment
Recommended Training: Attendance at a Hazard Tree Identification Course. Familiarity with The Photographic Guide To The Evaluation Of Hazard Trees In Urban Areas published by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Recommended Basic Tools: Tax maps listing right-of of-way widths. 25 tape measure-to measure distance from curbs or center of road 100 tape measure or measuring wheel-to measure width of right-of of-way Diameter tape-to to measure diameter of a tree (automatically calculates the diameter of a tree dividing the circumference by pie (3.1416). Fiberglass driveway marker to check depth of decay in visible cavities Rubber mallet to hammer on trunk to check for defects. Yellow lumber crayon to mark road surfaces, curbing and sidewalks.
Recommended Additional Tools: Binoculars helpful in viewing tree defects in tree canopies from a distance. Cordless drill with 1/16, 10 long drill bits to check for decay Metal detector to locate steel property monuments
2. Tree Inventory
Recommended Training: Weeklong Urban Forestry Course at Cook College
Recommended Basic Tools: Tax maps listing right-of of-way widths. 25 tape measure-to measure distance from curbs or center of road 100 tape measure or measuring wheel-to measure width of right-of of-way Diameter tape-to to measure diameter of a tree (automatically calculates the diameter of a tree dividing the circumference by pie (3.1416). Fiberglass driveway marker to check depth of decay in visible cavities Rubber mallet to hammer on trunk to check for defects. Yellow lumber crayon to mark road surfaces, curbing and sidewalks.
Recommended Additional Tools: Same as above plus a computer and tree inventory software.
3. Tree Planting
Recommended Training: Attendance at a tree- planting seminar.
Recommended Resource: Trees for N.J. Streets published by the New Jersey Shade Tree Foundation.
Recommended Basic Tools: Pointed shovels Grub axe Pick Wire cutters to cut wire baskets Hand trowels to excavate around root collars to determine planting depth. Utility knife to cut burlap and twine Permanent magic marker to write on tree tags at nursery White spray paint and wooden stakes to mark planting locations
Recommended Additional Tools: Tree dolly Truck with power tailgate lift Tractor/loader/backhoe Notification letters to advise property owners of tree planting
4. Removal of Girdling Roots, Root Collar Excavations and Correction of Incorrect Planting Methods.
4. Removal of Girdling Roots, Root Collar Excavations and Correction of Incorrect Planting Methods
Recommended Training: Be suspicious of any tree which does not have a visible trunk flare.
Recommended Basic Tools: Hand trowels Grub hoe Wood chisel and hammer to sever girdling roots. Hand pruners Pruning loppers Wire cutters
Recommended Additional Tools: None. This job can only be done with hand tools!
5. Removal of Small Trees
Recommended Training: Attendance at a chainsaw safety course. Knowledge and instruction of how to direct the fall of a tree.
Recommended Basic Tools: Safety vests Traffic cones Handsaws Pickup truck to haul away tree debris ½ diameter pull- rope to help direct the fall of the tree
Recommended Additional Tools: Chainsaw Hearing and eye protection Brush chipper and chipper truck
6. Removal of Tree Guys and Stakes
Recommended Training: Keep track of the year a tree was planted and remove guys and stakes promptly after the second year. Keep an eye out for trees with restrictive tree guys.
Recommended Basic Tools: Side cutting pliers Wire cutters
7. Replenishment of Mulch Rings and Protection from Line Trimmer Damage
Recommended Training: Volcanoes Killing Trees in New Jersey - N.J. Forest Service. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be observant of depleted mulch rings and keep an eye out for active line trimmer damage on young trees.
Recommended Basic Tools and Materials: Mulch in bags or bulk to be spread by pitchfork, shovel or by hand
Recommended Additional Materials: Plastic spiral bark protection to prevent line trimmer damage
8. Pruning
Recommended Training: Attendance at a tree-pruning seminar
Recommended Basic Tools: Telescopic or expandable fixed length pole saw with a sharp blade Handsaw and sheath Bi-pass hand pruners Pruning loppers Eye protection
Recommended Additional Tools: Gas powered pole saw Pickup truck to remove tree debris
9. Bark Tracing
Recommended Reading: Modern Arboriculture Touch Trees by Alex Shigo A New Tree Biology by Alex Shigo
Recommended Tools: Utility knife with extra replacement blades-to remove sections of damaged bark and alter shape of wound to promote closure Several Wood chisels between ½ to 2 wide.
10. Keeping Current on Tree Issues
The Shade Tree Department LLC PO Box 6089 WOB West Orange, NJ 07052 theshadetreedepartment@live.com (973) 766-2143 Thank ank you, John Linson NJ Certified Tree Expert #198