[Mike G]

The National Mall in D.C.  You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting an object of power there.

[Mike G]

A poor economy is the biggest threat to the environment.

I like.

[Mike G]

Judith, If you know or have experience in arboriculture it is not hard.  By this I would include pruning, fertilization, climbing knots, chain saw safety, etc…

I wouldn’t worry about studying at all, learn the craft.  Don’t worry about the BCMA exam either, take that after you already are a Master Arborist.

If you want to really learn about arboriculture read Alex Shigo, Modern Arboriculture.  He printed the best advise for studying trees on the cover of this book: ‘Touch Trees.’

[Mike G]

Unless you have an interest in arboricultural operations the basic ISA Certified Arborist would be the way to go.  The Municipal and Utility Specialist are more specialized toward operations management while the Tree Worker and Aerial Lift credentials are intended for a more production oriented working position.

I can’t say if my certification has benefited my entering the LA field.  However, I can say that I will never be without work if the LA industry completely ka’puts out. 

-Trees for life.

[Mike G]

Go for it.  Fraxinus americana if you’re looking for the species.

[Mike G]

Yeah, it was born to fail.  But in an ironic kind of way it’s more like a true forest tree, where only one one in a thousand something trees makes it from a seedling to maturity.

I have recently begun to take pictures of trees of declining trees in this type of situation.  Hopefully to make a collage of sorts.  I will know more about the use and purpose when I get there.

Again my vote is for for soil volume.  Soil manages vegetation, soil manages runoff, soil is super awesome.

[Mike G]

My suggestion would be minimum soil volumes.  I would rather see one good island in a parking lot than four poor ones.

The ‘zoning code’ or city tree planting ordinance should read:  Section 1.234:  If its worth doing, do it right, otherwise don’t do it at all.

This picture was taken from an Arobor Day Foundation ‘Tree City,’

What a joke! This is not a unique problem, sadly a very common one. 

[Mike G]

This information is elusive even in forest hydrology text books.  I’ve looked for it myself without much luck.  Like everyone else has said there are so many variables that influence evapotranspiration that its difficult to even get to a measurable range.

If there are any good places to look it would be in:

USFS publications treesearch, Journal of forestry, Journal of Arboriculture…

The most current research and practice has had more consistency using interception as a way to measure tree/stormwater relationships.  Google the national tree benefit calculator.  You might be able to find the references they used for these values.  The i-tree models have become the widely acceptable and preferred method for these types of studies on a broader scale.

[Mike G]

“Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.’ -Mark Twain. 

My guess is that these quotes will still ring true for the next hundred or so years too.

[Mike G]

You can almost measure the Fibinacchi Sequence in the some of those photos…Woahhh!!!

 

[Mike G]

http://www.midwest-trading.com/products/default.asp

Don’t know if they’re in your area, but they would be worth a phone call.

[Mike G]

According to a link on another post ‘The growth ponzi scheme’ :

‘The quality employment opportunities available for the masses rely solely on the perpetuation of this unsustainable model, so we can’t even work our way out of this mess.’ 

No green economy = no green jobs

[Mike G]

Geno’s Pizza #1

You can’t walk around Chicago on an empty stomach.

[Mike G]

TARP = bank bailout, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act = stimulus.

[Mike G]

Easy fella…I guess I haven’t updated my profile in a while. I do have 9 + years of design build experience before and after school and my suggestion to watch the plastic edging is based on that very practical experience and design.  I can say that I have installed and removed thousands of feet of these edges personally.  You are correct gravity works on the playground as much as it does on any parking lot.  But this thread is on playgrounds, no?  My play opinion was purely anecdotal and if you are so easily offended I will not offer any further suggestion on the matter. 

On the topic of edging : I will repeat myself again.  If you dispute any part of this then say so and why:  

In temperate environments frost will heave plastic and metal edging out of the ground.  Edging sticking out of the ground may cause tripping hazard, potential damage by lawnmowers, and looks tacky.  It can happen right away or it may take years to occur, it all depends on the site.  I have always offered this information up to my clients. 

My guess is that this is partly why so many other have suggested a shovel cut edge.

Again…I think this is really a small minor problem but also a very common one.  Has no one else ever noticed this before?

 

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