““Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place”Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place”
The Florida Native Plant SocietyThe Florida Native Plant Society
Jimmy Socash, ASLA, JFS Design Inc.
Pembroke Pines, Fl.
Right Tree-Right Place… Right Tree-Right Place… History...History...
Long Standing Statement- 18th Century!
Post WWII Urbanization
Importance to plant trees in the urban landscape
Right Tree-Right Place… Right Tree-Right Place… Today...Today...
The National Arbor Day Foundation
Tree City USA Bulletin
Utility Companies
Temperate to Tropical
•Use plant material that is native and self sustaining.Use plant material that is native and self sustaining.
• Increase the life expectancy of plant material with “Right Increase the life expectancy of plant material with “Right Place” right installation and right maintenance methods.Place” right installation and right maintenance methods.
• Reduce unneeded maintenance:Reduce unneeded maintenance:trimming, shaping, fertilization, pest control.trimming, shaping, fertilization, pest control.
• Reduce water consumption.Reduce water consumption.
• Incorporate BIODIVERSITY through introduction of new Incorporate BIODIVERSITY through introduction of new or little-used native species.or little-used native species.
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN:ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN:
Agencies and OrganizationsAgencies and Organizations
Implementing and using Right Tree-Right Place principles
National Arbor Day Foundation
Municipalities and governing agencies
Utility Companies
IFAS “Florida Friendly Yards” ProgramIFAS “Florida Friendly Yards” Program
9 Principles:9 Principles:1. Right Tree; Right Place1. Right Tree; Right Place2. Water Efficiently2. Water Efficiently3. Fertilize Appropriately3. Fertilize Appropriately4. Mulch4. Mulch5. Attract Wildlife5. Attract Wildlife6. Manage Yard Pest Responsibly6. Manage Yard Pest Responsibly7. Recycle7. Recycle8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff9. Protect the Waterfront9. Protect the Waterfront
““Naturescape” - Broward CountyNaturescape” - Broward County
Incorporation of Florida-Friendly landscapes to conserve Incorporation of Florida-Friendly landscapes to conserve water, protect water quality, and create wildlife habitat.water, protect water quality, and create wildlife habitat.
Important part of Broward County’s IntegratedImportant part of Broward County’s IntegratedWater Resource Plan (IWRP) Water Resource Plan (IWRP)
Use of Native Trees...Use of Native Trees...
LIVE OAKQuercus virginiana
GUMBO LIMBOBursera simaruba
JAMAICA CAPER
Capparis cynophallophora
Use of Native Trees...Use of Native Trees...
SIMPSON’S STOPPER
Myricianthes fragrans
Native Palms...Native Palms...
ROYAL PALM Roystonea elata
SABAL PALM Sabal palmetto
Native Palms...Native Palms...
FLORIDA THATCH PALM Thrinax radiata
SILVER THATCH PALM Thrinax morrissii
ROYAL PALMRoystonea elata
Native Palms...Native Palms...
FocusFocus
50% of the Earth’s population will be urban Urban Heat Islands Right Tree-Right Place Tropical Urban Environments Step to carbon sequestration
Principles of …Principles of …Right Tree-Right PlaceRight Tree-Right Place
1.1. Environmental Environmental FactorsFactors
2.2. Right Tree FactorsRight Tree Factors
3.3. Right Place FactorsRight Place Factors
Bill O’Leary
1. Environmental Factors1. Environmental Factors
Temperature- minimum and maximum year round climatic Precipitation and Moisture- climatic Altitude- (especially pertinent in tropical areas) Soil Conditions Pests and susceptibility to local diseases Air Pollution (urban areas)
2. Right Tree Factors...2. Right Tree Factors...
Ultimate mature size
Canopy and root zone requirements
Pruning maintenance program
Debris-seed, fruit, leaf drop
WILD TAMARIND
Lysiloma spp.
2. Right Tree Factors...2. Right Tree Factors...
Deciduous or evergreen (tropical trees also)
Growth habit, form, crown and shape
Shade and Cooling- temperature moderation factors
Esthetics- flowering trees, esthetic shade value, vista and view value
GUMBO LIMBO
Bursera simaruba
3. Right Place Factors...3. Right Place Factors...
Highways and byways- sight triangles, streetscapes, medians
Buildings- proximity to, framing and screening
Overhead and underground utilities- electrical, water, sewer, tv, telephone
Along walkways, courtyards and small urban parks
SILVER BUTTONWOODConocarpus erectus var. “Sericeus”
3. Right Place Factors...3. Right Place Factors...
Limited root zone area
Encroachments on to adjacent properties
Parking lots and parking islands
SABAL PALM Sabal palmetto
Consequences of Planting the WRONG Consequences of Planting the WRONG TREE in the WRONG PLACETREE in the WRONG PLACE
MAHOGANY
Swietenia mahagoni
Inappropriate use of NATIVE Tree SpeciesInappropriate use of NATIVE Tree Species
Wrong tree, Wrong Placedamage to infrastructure, roadways,buildings, utilities
Shortened life span of plant materialTrees, Palms, etc.
Excessive Maintenance trimming, mowing, shaping, excessive irrigation, fertilization, weed and pest control, use of petro-chemical derivatives gas-powered machines,
causing increased global warming
Wrong Tree Consequences…Wrong Tree Consequences…
Wrong Tree-Wrong PlaceWrong Tree-Wrong Place
Wrong Tree-Wrong PlaceWrong Tree-Wrong Place
Prioritize Emergency Vehicular Access Design: Eliminate Potential Roadway Obstructions
Obstruction of Waterways and CanalsObstruction of Waterways and Canals Invasive Exotics Are Susceptible to Toppling Inhibiting Invasive Exotics Are Susceptible to Toppling Inhibiting Drainage and Causing Upland FloodingDrainage and Causing Upland Flooding Design: Evaluate Situations, Remove Exotics, Use of Design: Evaluate Situations, Remove Exotics, Use of
Native Habitat Restoration.Native Habitat Restoration.
Trees Susceptible to TopplingTrees Susceptible to Toppling
Species Susceptible to Species Susceptible to Breakage…Breakage…
Same Consideration as Toppling Same Consideration as Toppling Evaluate and Design Accordingly Evaluate and Design Accordingly
Jimmy Socash
Bill O’Leary
Bill O’Leary
Right Tree-Right PlaceRight Tree-Right Place
Right Tree-Right PlaceRight Tree-Right Place
Shade Value for our sub-tropical Shade Value for our sub-tropical urban landscapeurban landscape
33% - Nation-wide Average
10% - Miami-Dade County Average
3% - Hialeah (American Forests Survey, 1996)
30% TREE CANOPY GOAL for MIAMI-DADE STREET TREE MASTER PLAN
By 2020…11 years ! ! !
The sorry status of our urban The sorry status of our urban tree canopy…tree canopy…
Planting Opportunities in the Planting Opportunities in the urban environment…urban environment…
Planting Opportunities...Planting Opportunities...
Planting Opportunities...Planting Opportunities...
CPTEDCPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Project Implementation…Project Implementation… Quality grown plant material-Grades and Standards
Contract growing
Competent landscape inspections Rejection of unacceptable plant material
Maintenance-initial and long term, and its importance.
BenefitsBenefits Benefits of greening of urban sub-tropical areas:
Economical Environmental Social Esthetics
Focus on attainable short-term goals and projects.
Maintain perspective of long-term goals.
Trees, Urban Environments, Trees, Urban Environments, and Soil Volumesand Soil Volumes
Preserve Existing Trees...Preserve Existing Trees...
Preserve Existing Trees...Preserve Existing Trees...
““Meeting the Goals Meeting the Goals of the Miami-Dade County of the Miami-Dade County Street Tree Master Plan”Street Tree Master Plan”
ROOT ZONE GROWING AREA
“Design the soil space under and adjacent to the hardscape to sustain root growth – good trees well connected to the ground only develop if the roots have room to grow”
“Miami-Dade County Street Tree Master Plan”Page 7- March 2007
•Planning•Planting•Pruning•Education and Growth•Best Management Practices (BMP)
“The major impediment to establishing trees in paved urban areas is the lack of an adequate volume of soil for tree root growth.”
Urban Horticulture InstituteDecember 2000
Trees Growing in Confined Soil Spaces
are Prone to Toppling…
…Rate of growth is greatly reduced…and… will be short-lived.
“Better to plant a 50 cent tree in a 5 dollar hole than a 5 dollar tree in a 50 cent hole”
Max
Max
Min?
Min
Balance the size of paved and soil areas.
Make Bigger Planting Spaces.Make Bigger Planting Spaces.
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
More Soil
La
rge
r T
rees
Ratio of tr
ee size
to soil volume
20” Trunk Diameter
1200 CF Soil Volume =20’ x 20’ x 3’ depth
20” Trunk Diameter Tree will require20’ x 20’ x 3’ deep soil volume (min.).
How Much Soil ?How Much Soil ?
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
Design spaces for roots under the pavement and utilize different approaches to root space design as conditions change
Make Space for Roots.Make Space for Roots.
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
Roots grow well beyond Roots grow well beyond canopy edgecanopy edge
Trees that normally grow a very expansive root system can become stressed and grow poorly in urban landscapes where soil space is limited
The result can be poor tree health, damaged sidewalks and curbs, and other problems
Dr. Ed Gilman, U of Florida
““Downtown Kendall Urban Center District”Downtown Kendall Urban Center District”
“Street Trees: …minimum caliper of six (6) inches and a minimum clear trunk of eight (8) feet at the time of planting.”
TYPICAL MINIMUM SIZE OF 18’ OVERALL HEIGHT
SITE PLAN PROVIDES STREET TREES BUT…IN 3’ X 3’ SQUARES…(27 C.F. OF SOIL VOLUME )!
WILL THESE TREES GROW?
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?
WHERE IS THE 1200 C.F. OF SOIL VOLUME?
1. INCREASE ROOT ZONE AREA… Use “CU Structural Soils” or “Deeproot Silva Cell” Applications
2. USE PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS…
Cornell University
““CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS” AND CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS” AND PERMEABLE PAVEMENTSPERMEABLE PAVEMENTS
““CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS”...CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS”...
Cornell University
Comprised of two main components:Comprised of two main components:1.1. Rigid Stone “lattice” Rigid Stone “lattice”
Lattice are load-bearing stones for stability and Lattice are load-bearing stones for stability and interconnected voids that allows root penetration, air and interconnected voids that allows root penetration, air and water movement. water movement.
2. Quantity soil (heavy clay loam or loam)2. Quantity soil (heavy clay loam or loam)Clay holds most of the water and nutrients.Clay holds most of the water and nutrients.
With…With…Gelscape Hydrogel Gelscape Hydrogel combines with the mix and works as a combines with the mix and works as a
non-toxic, non-phytotoxic tackifier.non-toxic, non-phytotoxic tackifier.
““CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS” AND CU-STRUCTURAL SOILS” AND PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS…PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS…
““CU-Structural Soils” and Permeable CU-Structural Soils” and Permeable Pavements...Pavements... Street treesStreet trees
CU-Structural Soil helps CU-Structural Soil helps create large enough create large enough volumes of soils under volumes of soils under constructed pavements.constructed pavements.
CU-Structural Soil should CU-Structural Soil should have a depth of at least have a depth of at least 24”, but it is preferred to 24”, but it is preferred to have 36”.have 36”.
Parking Lots and PlazasParking Lots and Plazas Trees planted in Landscape Trees planted in Landscape
Islands willIslands will benefit from CU-Structural benefit from CU-Structural
Soils and Permeable Soils and Permeable Pavements. Pavements.
““DeepRoot Silva Cell”...DeepRoot Silva Cell”...
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
““Deeproot Silva Cells”...Deeproot Silva Cells”...
Load-bearing structural cells…
With frame and deck…
Backfilled with planting soil…
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
““Deeproot Silva Cells”...Deeproot Silva Cells”...
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
““Deeproot Silva Cells”...Deeproot Silva Cells”...
www.deeproot.com
1 (800) 458-7668
““Deeproot Silva Cells”...Deeproot Silva Cells”...
1. Increased Soil volumes enable large trees to flourish…
2. Healthy trees…increase real estate values…
3. Underground bioretention areas manage stormwater on-site…
4. Large tree canopies reduce urban heat-island effect and improve air quality…
5. Expanded soil-volumes reduce rainfall runoff…
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
““Deeproot Silva Cells”...Deeproot Silva Cells”...
Trees and Rainwater Harvesting
Structural Cell ApplicationsStructural Cell Applications
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
Permeable Pavements…Permeable Pavements…
When integrated with “CU-Structural Soils” or “Deeproot Silva Cells” …
“Vegetation is watered, reducing the need for irrigation …
Ground water is recharged
Water resources are preserved
Stormwater runoff is reduced
Stormwater runoff quality is improved.”
www.CoolCommunities.org
“Pervious pavements can be made of concrete, asphalt, open-celled stones, and gravel, that are mixed in a manner that creates an open cell structure allowing water and air to pass through. For example, porous concrete can pass 3-5 gallons of water per minute, which is far greater than most conceivable rain events and highly effective in controlling storm water drainage. “
www.CoolCommunities.org
Permeable Pavements…Permeable Pavements…
U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (USGBC)LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) CERTIFIABLE
Do not pave in the area of the tree’s future trunk flare.
Trunk Flare
Zone of rapidtaper
Respect the Base of the Tree.Respect the Base of the Tree.
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
JAMES URBAN, FASLA, ISA
Tree Grates…Tree Grates…
Tree grates. Many cities install decorative metal grates around newly planted trees. As the trunk grows, it may end up fighting the encircling obstacle. Though some tree grates are designed so that the innermost section can be removed as the trunk expands, rarely do municipalities remove them promptly enough. The grate girdles the trunk, stopping the flow of water and chemicals between the top and bottom of the tree. If the tree doesn’t die first, it may lift the grate and create a hazard for pedestrians.
“New Urban News”February 2005
Tree Grates…Tree Grates…
Landscape code changes are oftentimes tedious and lengthy…
Departmental Policy Decisions can bypass this…
INCORPORATE USE OF CULTIVARSINCORPORATE USE OF CULTIVARS
Quercus virginiana ‘Cathedral’
Use of tree species developed for Use of tree species developed for urban environments.urban environments.
Quercus virginiana
Marshall Tree Farm
Marshall Tree Farm
Quercus virginiana ‘Highrise’
BIODIVERSITY IN THE URBAN BIODIVERSITY IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPELANDSCAPE
Use and introduction of several native species and use Use and introduction of several native species and use of of new unused nativenew unused native species. species.
A necessity to address tendency to “monoculture” use A necessity to address tendency to “monoculture” use of only a few tree species.of only a few tree species.
CONTRACT GROWING…CONTRACT GROWING…
Jeremy ChanceyTrees Inc.
•Opportunity to introduce new native tree species.Opportunity to introduce new native tree species.
HURRICANE DAMAGE AND HURRICANE DAMAGE AND RESTORATION… (OR LACK OF IT!)RESTORATION… (OR LACK OF IT!)
Monarch Lakes Blvd. , Monarch Lakes Blvd. ,
Miramar, Fl.Miramar, Fl.
20042004 20052005
2007 !2007 !
Important component of any developed siteImportant component of any developed site
Endless conflicts with Landscape PlantingsEndless conflicts with Landscape Plantingsand Landscape Requirements.and Landscape Requirements.
SITE UTILITIES:SITE UTILITIES:
ELECTRICAL AND SITE LIGHTINGELECTRICAL AND SITE LIGHTING
LightpolesLightpoles Landscape Islands Landscape Islands
are for treesare for trees Coordination with Coordination with
Electrical Engineer- Electrical Engineer- 15’ Clearance for all 15’ Clearance for all
treestrees Overhead Power LinesOverhead Power Lines Screening of Ground-Screening of Ground-
Mounted EquipmentMounted Equipment
ON-SITE STORMWATER RETENTION ON-SITE STORMWATER RETENTION AREASAREAS
Dry Retention AreasDry Retention Areas Wet Retention AreasWet Retention Areas
USE OF APPROPRIATE NATIVE PLANTS…USE OF APPROPRIATE NATIVE PLANTS…
FICUS HEDGE / Ficus benjamina COCOPLUM HEDGE / Chrysobalanus icaco
Non-native exoticNon-native exotic Will mature as a 50’ x 50’ treeWill mature as a 50’ x 50’ tree Grows quicklyGrows quickly Will require frequent toppingWill require frequent topping 2-3 times per year2-3 times per year Photo shows result if toppingPhoto shows result if topping
is not continually done.is not continually done.
Native Native 15’ at maturity15’ at maturity Moderate growth rateModerate growth rate Very little trimming requiredVery little trimming required Less need for irrigation, Less need for irrigation,
fertilization, pest control, etc. fertilization, pest control, etc. Less maintenance intensiveLess maintenance intensive Other native species availableOther native species available
LONG TERM GOALS...LONG TERM GOALS...
Increase Environmental AwarenessIncrease Environmental Awareness
Right Tree-Right Place -Concept and ImplementationRight Tree-Right Place -Concept and Implementation
Enforcement and installation of Florida No. 1 Plant Enforcement and installation of Florida No. 1 Plant Material at time of installationMaterial at time of installation
Proper pruning and continual maintenance commitmentProper pruning and continual maintenance commitment
Environment – Economics – EstheticsEnvironment – Economics – Esthetics Preservation and Protection of the Natural Environment Preservation and Protection of the Natural Environment
(air, water, soil, etc.) for future generations.(air, water, soil, etc.) for future generations. Restoration of Recoverable Natural systems Restoration of Recoverable Natural systems Economic Opportunities and BenefitsEconomic Opportunities and Benefits Improve the Esthetics and Beautification for the Urban Improve the Esthetics and Beautification for the Urban
LandscapeLandscape