Arboricultural Practices
Arboricultural Practices
Arboricultural Practices
FOR 123
ARBORICULTURAL PRACTICES:
Basic Planting Design and
Species Selection
Prepared by:
(Group 2)
Gay Mharie Calma
Keith Hansel Campañano
Jan Lester Campañano
Rheanel Dalere
Ma. Geraldine Agbayani
Carmela Jane Nicolas
Mary Frances Janine Ibacarra
Ycul Agmata
Theodula Mae Balantac
Justine Mae Lacuesta
Rachelle Ann Paa
Trizia Ann Neflas
Christine Joy Amper
Submitted to:
For. Charlie Maine G. Cacactin
November 2022
Introduction
Arboriculture, from the Latin word “arbor”= tree, “cultura”= tending or
caring, is tree cultivation based on tree biology. The term arboriculture is often
loosely used and includes the care of other woody plants. This relatively young
discipline generally focuses on single trees or group of trees, usually in urban
areas. Arboriculture is an essential and integral part of urban forestry and is
sometimes treated as special type of horticulture (Dijesiefken et al, 2005).
Planting design, also called landscape design, is the art of composing
plants to create a design. This is usually an aspect of garden design, which
includes paving design, landform design, water features and the design of
vertical and horizontal structures (gardenvisit.com). Robinson (2004) showed
that plant size relative to the dimensions of the human figure is critical when
designing spaces for people. An important design stage is distinguishing areas
on a plan using canopy height because plant height establishes much of the
spatial framework and controls vision, movement, and physical experience.
Furthermore, in plant designing, selecting species is very important.
Species selection must ensure that trees are capable of thriving in the
environment in which they are placed (Hirons et al, 2019). It is important to
plant and maintain a diversity of tree species throughout the community. This
helps spread the risk of damage in storms. It may require more work and
creativity to find a variety of trees that can withstand urban conditions, but it is
well worth the effort. Species diversity allows a landscape to withstand
devastation by insect or disease outbreaks, and if executed appropriately can
provide a more aesthetic appeal. However, species selection alone will not
prevent danger in storms. Trees must be positioned and maintained
appropriately in order to create hurricane resistant urban forests.
8 Basic Principles of Planting Design
1. Unity
Unity is a basic principle of
landscaping, and is the repetition and
consistency of a design. Repetition is
used to bring about unity in your
design by repeating like elements
which include plants and decor in the
landscape. Consistency is used to
create unity by fitting different
elements of a landscape together to create a common unit or theme.
2. Balance
Balance is simply a sense of equality. There are two types of balance in
design: symmetrical and asymmetrical balance. In symmetrical balance, two
sides of the landscape are identical while in asymmetrical balance, the
landscape composition is balanced using different elements and objects which
have almost similar imaginary weight.
7. Proportion
Proportion refers to the size of an element in relation to the other. Among
the 8 principles of landscape design, this is the most obvious one but still needs
a little planning and thought. One must ensure that all the elements in a
landscape design have proper proportions.
8. Repetition
Repetition is directly related to unity. It’s good to have several elements
and forms in a garden, but repeating the same elements gives your design
various expressions. Too many objects that are not related can make your
design look unplanned and cluttered. Also, don’t overuse an element since over
using an element can make your design feel boring, uninteresting, and
monotonous.
Site Characteristics/Limitations
□ Soils: The soil will greatly impact the species you are able to grow
successfully. General soil characteristics are available from published soil
surveys available in most county Cooperative Extension and Natural
Resource Conservation Service offices.
□ Hardiness zone: Most references give a hardiness zone for each species of
plant, and use the current USDA hardiness zone map. The zones are
determined by the average annual minimum temperatures for each area.
□ Site aspect. The aspect (or direction the slope of the land faces) plays an
important role in site conditions. North or east aspects are cooler, moister,
and shadier than south or west aspects. Certain tree species tolerate more
shade than others, while others require full sun for growth.
□ Annual precipitation and occurrence: Annual precipitation and occurrence
can be supplemented by irrigation, but not replaced. If you have a wet site,
plan on using wet site species. The same hold true for a dry site, where
species adapted to drought have a much greater chance for survival.
□ Frost pockets: Frost pockets are low lying areas where cold air pools during
the growing season, with night-time temperatures much lower than the
surrounding areas. Choose plant species that tolerate growing season frost.
□ Animal depredation: Deer, elk, moose, pocket gophers, mice, and
porcupines all love to eat trees. Certain types of trees and shrubs are less
palatable than others, but all will be eaten if there is a shortage of available
food. Determining which animal problems you may encounter (if any), will
help you choose the plants and methods of protection most suited to your
situation. Animal browse controls include barriers (fences, tree shelters),
repellents, toxicants, trapping/shooting, and cultural methods.
□ Insect and disease problems: Tree vigor and species diversity are effective
deterrents to most insect and disease problems. Chronic problems, such as
soil-borne root decays, usually require a change of species. A good
example would be an area of fir that has succumbed to root-rot. If you
plant more fir, they will also die, whereas another species, such as pine,
might not. Genetic resistance to insects and diseases is another way to limit
loss.
□ Poor soil: Poor soil conditions can result from past human activities or
natural events. Some poor soil conditions, such as mild soil compaction,
erosion problems, and nutrient deficiencies can be repaired. Others are
beyond human intervention and simply preclude tree growth.
□ Buildings, power lines, underground utilities: When choosing a tree or
shrub species for planting around structures, note the location of overhead
power and phone lines, foundations, and underground utilities, and match
the mature tree size to the growing space.
Suitable Species
1. Raintree (Samanea saman)
Commonly known as raintree or
wattles, it is a hardy large spreading
attaining a height of 20 m or more.
The main axis of the compound leaf has
4-8 pairs of branches, each branch with
3-8 pairs leaflets. Flowers are small with
extended stamens crowded together in
a cluster which appears like powdered puff.