Abstracts

LAUERSDORF, J. 1987. Shade tree apraisal and some pitfalls of the profession. Arbor Age 7(11); 41-43.

Until recent years, tree evaluation was often considered to be a real estate concern, with trees to be evaluated only by realtors. Today the courts often demand the services of expert witnesses from professions within the green industry. The “Guide for Establishing the Value of Trees and Other Plants” and the Manual for Plant Appraisers’ provide excellent guidelines for establishing plant value. There appears to be a tendency among most first-time appraisers to overrate plant value. How does one perceive value? It can be based on historic influence, aesthetics, timber and other preference. The method or accuracy of data collection, although important, is not nearly as important as how you report your findings. A neat, well written, professional report should stand on its own in a court of law.

WATSON, M.R. 1987. Growth regulators save money for utility. Arbor Age 7(6): 22-24.

A production tree-growth regulator program was initiated at Potomac Edison in July, 1986. Effective control without visual impacts convinced Potomac Edison that tree-growth regulators (TGRs) had a place in utility tree trimming. However, it was felt at the time that a delivery system acceptable for daily use as part of a trimming operation was not available. In 1983, a contract for the development of an injection system was awarded to Asplundh Tree Expert Co. From the project, an injection system was developed that meets the outlined criteria. A very important aspect of field injection of TRGs is the time required to place the material into the tree. Time varies with tree species. Generally, ring porous species are the slowest to inject, while diffuse porous species are the fastest. Injection times remain fairly constant regardless of crown size and diameter.

• © 1988, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.