City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/475555
Author Joan Blaustein in one of her favorite places. Nothing helps stretch budgets like Soil Moist Water Management Polymers and Mycorrhizal Products: to reduce water maintenance and plant stress, increase growth rates, improve soil porosity and do more with less… beautifully. Available in the forms, formulas and customer blends you need, eco-safe Soil Moist granules,disks, tabs and spikes absorb water, then release it gradually as soil dries. So each watering lasts up to 50% longer, for 3-5 years. Whether it's original Soil Moist, Soil Moist Mycorrhizal for strong root development, or Soil Moist Plus nutrient blends, there's never been a better time to call for technical data and expert advice. Manage m re with less…with Soil Moist ™ JRM Chemical, Inc. 4881 NEO Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44128 1-800-926-4010 • 216-475-8488 fax: 216-475-6517 www.soilmoist.com with Mycorrhizal without Mycorrhizal ™ are planting many more serviceberrries (Amelanchier x grandiflora) and a variety of hawthorns (Crataegus leavigata 'Superba' and C. viridis 'Winter King') and tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk') to fill the demand for small trees. Where we can plant larger trees, we favor oaks (Quercus imbricaria, Q. phellos, and Q. bicolor) and tupelos (both the native Nyssa sylvatica and 'Hayman Red'). Zelkova serrata (including 'Green Vase') is a good medium to large tree that does well here. We have planted many lacebark elms (Ulmus parvifolia) and are now planting them more sparingly. What is your tree growing or purchasing arrangement? JB: Our street trees are planted by contractors, who purchase the trees from a variety of nurseries. Our planting specifications require that the trees are grown no more than 100 miles (161 km) from Philadelphia. Because funding is not always pre- dictable, we have not been able to develop contract arrangements with local nurseries. We established a native plant nursery in 2009 in order to provide plant material of local provenance for forest resto- ration as well as have access to species that were not readily available through commercial nurseries. We grow a variety of trees and shrubs there, increas- ing production each year. How do you involve the public? JB: The TreePhilly program is a citizen-based initia- tive, and as the program has evolved, we have relied more and more on individuals and groups to carry our message. We have engaged Block Captains to encourage their neighbors to have a street tree planted in front of their home. We have also changed the protocols for our twice-yearly yard tree giveaways, which originally were run by City staff with volunteer support; now we support community orga- nizations to host their own giveaways. We tested this approach in fall of 2014 with five organizations. They each received 50 trees, educational materials, staff support for the day, and a $500 grant to cover their expenses. It was very successful, with one organization giving away more than 90 trees. This spring we plan to repeat this program with seven organizations and up to 100 trees each. 24 City Trees