A Minimum Industry Standard for Tree Care and Maintenance
This standard covers the various inter-related work tasks of cultural remediation, chemical application and other tree care practices, which together are described as tree maintenance. A brief summary is provided of the underpinning tree health knowledge necessary to identify tree stress symptoms and causes and select treatments. This standard is not a ‘standalone’ document, and must be read in conjunction with other relevant Minimum Industry Standards which describe safe arboricultural work practices.
About the MIS Series
This book is one in a series of Minimum Industry Standards (MIS) produced by Arboriculture Australia Ltd and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association in consultation with the national arboriculture community in both countries. These industry peer-reviewed documents provide a ‘body of knowledge’ which is shared by practitioners and can be used as the basis for training, dissemination of skills and professional development.
MIS313 – Tree Health and Maintenance (Non-Member Price)
1: Tree health and physiology
The tree as a living organism
Tree identification
- Using botanical nomenclature
- The use of common names
Age class of tree
Seasonal variations
Tree physiological functions
Photosynthesis
- Limiting factors for photosynthesis
Transpiration
- Transpirational rate
Respiration
- Respiration rates
Reproduction
Tree vascular systems
- Xylem and phloem
- Xylem: tracheids and vessels
- Phloem
Tree bark
- Compartmentalisation and barriers to decay
- Occlusion
Trees and soils
Physical properties of soils
- Soil profiles
- Soil texture
- Soil texture triangle
- Field test for soil texture
Soil compaction
Soil water
- Drainage
Chemical properties of soil
Biological properties of soil
Soil nutrients
Tree roots
- Root architecture
- Water absorption into tree roots
- Nutrient absorption into tree roots
- Mycorrhizae
- The effects of fertiliser of mycorrhizal fungi
- Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Soil build-up and soil sealing
Tree physical structure
The tree as a biomechanical structure
Axiom of uniform stress
Thigmomorphogenesis
Tree growth habits
Growth habit and structure
Branch and stem attachment
- Strength of branch and stem unions
- Co-dominant stems
Crossing or rubbing branches
- Natural bracing
Epicormic shoots
2: Tree disorders
How to use this chapter
Tree stress
- Symptoms of stress
Tree disorder diagnostic process
- Diagnostic table 1: diagnostic process
- Diagnostic table 2: observable symptoms
Abiotic disorders
- Soil compaction or poor drainage
- Soil quality
- Contamination
- Environmental conditions
- Sunburn and sunscald
- Weather events
- Light intensity and duration
- Temperature extremes
- Lightning damage
- Wind direction and intensity
Mechanical damage
Biotic disorders
Humans
Large animals
Soil organisms
Insects
Pathogens
- Examples of transmissible tree diseases
- Biosecurity and transmission of pathogens
Epiphytes, parasites and vines
Tree structural conditions
Diagnosis: collecting samples
Sampling equipment
Sampling hygiene and biosecurity
Soil sampling
- Selecting sampling sites
- Soil sampling procedure
Collecting plant samples
Recording sample information
Sending samples for analysis
Laboratory analysis
3: Tree establishment
Selection of tree species
Selection of tree stock for planting
- Tree stock selection process
Tree planting
Tree establishment
4: Tree maintenance
Tree maintenance process
Identifying maintenance requirements
Selecting a treatment plan
Developing a maintenance plan
Performing tree maintenance
Performing tree work
Environmental impact and control measures
- Environmental management plan
- Waste/clean-up management plan
- Water quality protection
- Noise control
- Dust/debris management
Biosecurity measures
- Clean On / Clean Off procedure
Tree cultural remediation
Atmospheric and climatic remediation
Soil remediation
- Remediation of compacted soil
Fertilisation
- Complete fertiliser
Irrigation
- Identifying the need for irrigation
- Planning and applying irrigation
Improving soil organic content
Mulch
- Selecting mulch
- Applying mulch
Installing physical protections
Physical barriers
Arboreal animal protection
Root barriers
Chemical treatments
Categories of chemical treatments
- Chemical treatments and Safety Data Sheets
- Environmental concerns
- Impact on non-target species
Applying chemical treatments
- Hazards associated with chemical treatments
- Calculating chemical treatment applications
- Mixing chemicals
- Chemical spill clean-up procedures
Chemical application techniques
- Soil injection
- Stem injection
- Foliar spray
- Implants
- Irrigation / drench
- Incorporation/fertilisation
Inoculation
Tree pruning
Tree pruning treatments
- Asset clearance
- Reduction pruning
- Crown thinning
- Crown lifting
- Risk abatement pruning
- Deadwood removal
- Branch or stem end weight reduction
- Remedial pruning
- Retrenchment pruning
- Formative pruning
- Structural pruning
- Epiphyte, parasite and vine removal
- Pollarding
- Palm pruning
- Natural fracture pruning & coronet cuts
Tree pruning permits and tree protection laws
Tools and equipment for tree pruning
Pruning cuts
- Branch reduction cuts
- Examples of incorrect branch reduction cuts
- Stem reduction cuts
- Branch removal cuts (living branches)
- Branch removal cuts (deadwood)
Root pruning
- Root pruning considerations:
- Performing root pruning
- Tree health care before and after root pruning
Completing tree works
Processing debris
Waste disposal
Recording works
Completion of works
The care of trees