Tree maintenance : A report of the proceedings of the Tree Maintenance Block Course held at Lincoln College, Canterbury, May 19th-22nd 1975

Abstract

Trees may live a long time but no tree lives forever. As trees which have been planted during the past 50 to 75 years reach mature proportions the maintenance requirements become more important, not only for the sake of appearance, but most importantly for safety reasons . , Generally speaking the faster growing tree species such as poplar, willow, and silver birch have a shorter span of life than the slower growing species such as oak, lime, European beech or our native rimu ,totara and kauri . Correct care and maintenance of trees will ensure that they reach their optimum size and beauty and maintain these qualities for as long as possible. The majority of the problems associated with trees in urban areas seem to arise from their being planted in the wrong position from the outset. At planting time it may not have been fully appreciated that the ultimate size of the trunk, the branches and root system would grow to those proportions which are in excess of the space available. The casting of unwanted shade, shedding of leaves and seeds and the penetration of roots, let alone the possible danger during storm or wind generally could have been avoided if a more suitable species had been planted in the first instance. In most cases, however, trees can be kept within the bounds of safety and beauty by correct maintenance . The main contribution to this booklet on Tree Maintenance come from those who gave papers at a block course held at Lincoln College in May 1975. Additional notes have been added from various sources in an effort to fill the information gaps, so that an amalgam of theory and practice will enable the reader to understand more fully the breadth and depth of tree maintenance. While information gathered here is primarily for local authority tree maintenance professionals, the booklet should however be of value to anyone who has the interest of tree care at heart.