Wednesday, July 27, 2005
DC Arborist Selected for Society of Municipal Arborists Exchange Program
Challenges and Solutions
Within Vancouver the use of herbicides is highly restricted both on public and private property, therefore, the Park Board has been using a number of IMP solutions to combat outbreaks of birch borer, aphids, leaf miners, etc. For example, the Board purchases and releases thousands of ladybugs annually to control aphids. For other applications, safer soaps are sprayed from roto or electrostatic misters. The assistance of residents is very important in the control of winter moths as residents are asked to install an adhesive band around some trees to prevent the female moth from crawling up the bark of the tree to mate.
III) Urban Renewal and Development
I had the opportunity to sit in on a discussion and visited a site where a proposed highway will cut though a small stand of an endangered trees species. The challenges are the same for any municipality; unfortunately the options are limited: realign the highway at significant cost or transplant the stand of trees. These trees are difficult to establish, even more so to transplant. Though the debate continues, at least there are discussions.
Challenges and Solutions
Sidewalk and curb construction and replacement many times conflict with tree roots and resolution of such conflicts are managed through the review/approval of the Park Board. The Board requires that trees be protected during construction – cutting and or shaving large roots are held to a minimum. With the current volume of construction activities, the city of Vancouver and two neighboring municipalities are exploring a joint venture in wood, soil, and construction debris recycling. Of note is the city's Country Lanes (alleys) program, which seeks to have country lanes redesigned to increase pervious surface and reduce runoff. Street tree overhead utility conflicts are common and the solution is planting lower growing trees under utility wires.
