Consequences and impacts of wire basket retention and removal on establishment and root morphology of a shallow-rooted and a deep-rooted tree species

2010 | J. Ryan Stewart, University of Illinois; completed by Andrew Koeser (U. of Florida), Richard Hauer (UW-Stevens Point), Jeff Edgar and David Kleinhuizen
We propose to determine how effective various wire-basket-removal practices (i.e., no removal, partial removal, and complete removal) are in reducing wire basket conflicts. We will also assess the effort needed to complete each treatment and root ball disruption and growth loss resulting from wire basket removal. Finally, we will assess wire integrity over time to address conflicting views of rates of metal degradation in soil.

Study Conclusion

The researchers found that wire basket removal treatment affected both planting time and root-ball condition but had limited impact on tree caliper, twig elongation or chlorophyll fluorescence in the first few years after planting.

Year: 2010

Funding Duration: 1-3 years

Grant Program: John Z Duling

Grant Title: Consequences and impacts of wire basket retention and removal on establishment and root morphology of a shallow-rooted and a deep-rooted tree species

Researcher: Andrew Koeser, Richard Hauer, Jeff Edgar, David Kleinhuizen

Key words: Acer platanoides; Burlap; Gleditsia triacanthos; honeylocust; Midwest; Minnesota; Norway maple; Planting Survival; Transplanting; Tree Stability; Wire Basket; Wisconsin.

Peer Reviewed Publications from Grant:

• Koeser, Andrew, et al. (2015) Impacts of Wire Basket Retention and Removal on Planting Time, Root-Ball Condition, and Early Growth of Acer platanoides and Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 41(1): 18–25. View the Publication >

General Audience/Trade Publications:

Presentations:

For more information on this project, contact the researcher via TREE Fund at treefund@treefund.org.