Site assessment | Tree Selection

Terms: site analysis, microclimate, acclimation/hardening, functional goals, hardiness Tree selection may be the one of the most important decisions you make as an arborist as it has consequences for management and care for the entire lifespan of the tree. A site analysis allows you to understand the characteristics and limits of a specific planting area. Microclimate refers to the environmental conditions right around a plant or planting area; this can be changed by adding other plants, structures, etc. While selecting a species, consider what you want it to do - its functional goal - such as screening or shade. One of the climate conditions that cannot be changed is temperature. Hardiness refers to the cold tolerance of a plant, specifically of the lowest temperatures expected in the area. Even a hardy plant will need to gradually adjust to lower temperatures, in a process called acclimation or hardening. (acclimation is broader and applies also to light, heat, water “adjusting”). Video index: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G7HEB7DlOjNVs57flZj1zmi0wiF8el0_LGIq7A9EgHE/edit?usp=sharing