ABIOTIC FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE URBAN FOREST

Proposed by: Melissa Clifton Sturdivant

Presenter: Sturdivant, M. C., Extension Horticulturist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Abilene, TX 79602

In West Central Texas, with an average rainfall of 24 inches, the management and conservation of natural resources becomes an integral component in creating sustainable urban landscapes. The sustainability of the urban forest is especially important because of the many positive attributes it offers including energy conservation, improving aesthetics and increasing property values. Although biotic agents can influence the health of trees, healthy trees can often overcome disease pressure when using sound, cultural management practices. However, more often, landscape management and cultural practices introduce abiotic casual agents, disease complexes and secondary biotic agents which adversely effect the health and sustainability of the urban forest. Cultural management practices such as plant selection, improper pruning, misapplication of chemicals, mechanical injury, irrigation practices, and soil grade changes resulting in soil compaction, water drainage and subsequent damage to the root structure are factors which have negative consequences. Educating homeowners and landscape industry professionals is an important approach in mitigating the risks and reducing the loss of trees in urban landscapes. Extension Horticulturist Sturdivant, who is also an ISA Certified Arborist, designed educational programming to teach best management practices in the care and sustainability of the urban forest, and in 2009, six separate education programs were conducted with 246 individuals attending. Agent Sturdivant also authored in entirety, three fact sheets addressing proper pruning, management of oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum) and diplodia (Sphaeropsis sapinea) in Afghan pines (Pinus eldarica). More than 2,000 fact sheets have been distributed to homeowners and green industry professionals.

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