PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Adam G. Dale AU - Elsa Youngsteadt AU - Steven D. Frank TI - Forecasting the Effects of Heat and Pests on Urban Trees: Impervious Surface Thresholds and the ‘Pace-to-Plant’ Technique AID - 10.48044/jauf.2016.016 DP - 2016 May 01 TA - Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) PG - 181--191 VI - 42 IP - 3 4099 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/42/3/181.short 4100 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/42/3/181.full AB - Trees provide ecosystem services that benefit humans and the environment. Unfortunately, urban trees often do not provide maximum services due to abiotic stress and arthropod herbivores and borers. These problems often originate from trees being planted in unsuitable conditions. Cities are warmer than natural areas because impervious surfaces absorb and reradiate heat. Higher temperatures can increase pest insect abundance and water stress, and reduce street tree condition relative to natural forests. For example, the gloomy scale insect [Melanaspis tenebricosa Comstock (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)], a pest of red maple (Acer rubrum) street trees, is more abundant in warmer than cooler urban sites. Acer rubrum, at warmer urban sites with more M. tenebricosa, are typically in poor condition. Here, researchers demonstrate these relationships and illustrate how impervious surface cover can be used to predict the condition of A. rubrum street trees. Impervious surface thresholds were then developed to define suitable planting sites that can be used by individuals with access to GIS software. Researchers present the ‘Pace-to-Plant’ technique, which can be used by landscape professionals to quickly estimate impervious surface cover around a planting site. These thresholds predict future tree condition based on planting site impervious surface cover. The hope is that more informed planting will minimize pest infestations and maximize the future vigor and performance of street trees.