Case study: replacement of infected trees on poorly drained soil. Kate's Garden 227 Main St. Markham N Markham, ON L3P 1Y6. Roman Roger Halkiewicz

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1 Kate's Garden 227 Main St. Markham N Markham, ON L3P 1Y6 September 9, 2016

2 1. Site assessment The following expertise is based on the site visit. (see the list below). Site Location: Aurora, ON Hardiness zone: 5b Microclimate: frost pockets not found wind not found heat reflection from asphalt and concrete surfaces not found Above-ground space limitations: somewhat limited Recent construction: not found Structural factors Below-ground space limitations: not found Construction debris: not found Soil Texture: clay X, clayey loam, loam, sandy loam, sand. ph: not tested. Compaction: severe, moderate, no compaction X. Drainage: poor X, moderate, well. Light Light conditions: full sun X, part/filtered sun, shade. Other considerations and comments Improper watering practices. The customer (during the period of high temperatures) was not watering frequently (assessment: July 2016). After being reminded the customer was applying too much water, which (in addition to poor drainage) created conditions stagnating water (assessment: August, 2016). 2

3 2. Data collection and interpretation Relevant materials were gathered in order to explain conditions affecting Dawyck Gold European beeches (Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Gold ). According to Missouri Botanical Garden (n.d.), newly transplanted trees are extremely susceptible to fungal diseases (Nectria canker and dieback caused by Nectria cinnabarina, figure 1 and 2) due to two reasons: 1) Factor conditioning the vulnerability of a host: not watering during dry periods (causing environmental stress), 2) Factor conditioning the ability of a pathogen to infect: sufficient moisture (poor drainage and excessive moisture that favoured the development of fungal infections). Figure 1: Fruiting bodies present on a trunk. Figure 2: Fruiting bodies and canker present on twigs. 3

4 3. Alternative tress recommendations Considering the site conditions, the following species (and their columnar/pyramidal varieties) were identified as being tolerant enough to grow in clay soils with limited drainage, when proper watering practices are followed (Bassuk et al., 2009): 1) American Elm (Ulmus americana), 2) Amur Corktree (Phellodendron amurense), 3) Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), 4) Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), 5) Callery Pear (Pyrus calleyrana), 6) Common Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), 7) Elm hybrids (Ulmus x species), 8) European Alder (Alnus glutinosa), 9) Frans Fontaine Pyramidal Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine /Gilman, 1993), 10) Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), 11) Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), 12) Pyramidal English Oak (Quercus robur Fastigiata /Gilman, 1994), 13) Red Maple (Acer rubrum), 14) River Birch (Betula nigra), 15) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor), 16) Thornless Common Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis). 4

5 References: Bassuk N., Curtis D. F., Marranca B. Z., Neal B. (2009). Site assessment and tree selection for stress tolerance. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from Gilman E. F., Watson D. G. (November, 1993). Carpinus Betulus Fastigiata. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from Gilman E. F., Watson D. G. (October, 1994). Quercus robur Fastigiata. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.) Nectria Canker and Dieback. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from 5