Chapter 6: Tree Selection

Question 1

functional goals

Answer 1

in landscape design, the set of goals pertaining to the future needs and function of the site; such as moisture requirements, pH adaptability, and light needs

Question 2

adaptability

Answer 2

genetic ability of plants and other living organisms to adjust or acclimate to different environmental conditions

Question 3

acclimation

Answer 3

physiological adaption process of plants and other living organisms to a climate or environment different from their native environment or where originally grown; gradual process where a tree adapts to change in environment usually involving physiological or morphological changes

Question 4

computer-aided plant selection

Answer 4

programs that generate a list of trees that match site and plant characteristics chosen by the user

Question 5

site analysis

Answer 5

consideration or evaluation of the conditions, restrictions, and environment of a planting site; consideration or evaluation of a construction or development site requiring a tree conservation or preservation plan

Question 6

What is the purpose of doing a site analysis before a landscape plan?

Answer 6

record and evaluate pertinent existing site conditions to determine factors that will affect plant selection; help the designer select plants that are appropriate for the site by outlining the functional goals of the design

Question 7

How much space to consider when planting a tree?

Answer 7

above ground (tree height, branch spread, trunk diameter - trees may get wider than tall), below ground (root volume - roots may extend well beyond the farthest reaching branches)

Question 8

microclimate

Answer 8

small area with climatic characteristics that distinguish it from its immediate surrounding area; may differ from the climate of the geographic zone

Question 9

What effects the microclimate?

Answer 9

buildings, topography, pavement, and other surroundings

Question 10

What are some functional uses of plants?

Answer 10

1. ) architecturally to form walls, canopies, and floors
2. ) engineering to reduce glare of lights
3. ) deciduous trees can screen the hot sun in summer and let sun through in winter
4. ) living sculpture

Question 11

design criteria

Answer 11

aspects of the landscape or site that the required functions to be served by the plant that must be considered in plant selection; factors considered in the design of equipment; based on the functions the tree is expected to serve

Question 12

What are the functions of design criteria?

Answer 12

engineering, architectural, and personal safety considerations such as controlling pedestrian traffic or hiding unsightly building features, climate controls such as wind screens or shade for east or west exposure, and aesthetics such as colored foliage or flowers

Question 13

growth rate

Answer 13

speed at which something grows

Question 14

exfoliating bark

Answer 14

flaking or peeling bark

Question 15

Pros and Cons of fast growing trees

Answer 15

Pros: often tolerant of poor soil conditions and owner neglect, reach functional size (shade/screening) quickly
Cons: often have weak/brittle wood and develop multiple branches with included bark that decays readily and may break easily in storms, do not live as long as trees with moderate growth rates

Question 16

habit

Answer 16

characteristic form or manner of growth; growth form

Question 17

hardiness

Answer 17

genetically determined ability of a plant to survive low temperatures

Question 18

pest resistance

Answer 18

in plants, the tendency to withstand or to not develop certain pest problems

Question 19

susceptibility

Answer 19

extent to which a tree would suffer from a pest or pathogen if exposed

Question 20

native species

Answer 20

plants indigenous to a region, naturally occurring and not introduced by man

Question 21

introduced species

Answer 21

organisms not native to a region; non-native or exotic

Question 22

naturalized species

Answer 22

non-native species that has become established in a region and propagates without human assistance

Question 23

What to look for in nursery grown plants?

Answer 23

vigorous plant with good shoot growth, abundance of healthy foliage, good vertical and radial branch spacing, good trunk taper from roots up to branches, single central leader and good radial distribution of branches, no included bark in scaffold branches, branches less than half the diameter of the parent stem, foliage evenly distributed on upper two-thirds of tree, no mechanical damage, no injury to trunk, trunk flare visible, no circling/kinked roots