The Relationship Between Street Tree Growth and Projected Pruning and Waste Wood Management Costs

Abstract

Total pruning time, waste wood stack time, waste wood yield, and average annual diameter growth rates were determined for four street tree species in Milwaukee. Wisconsin. Two hundred and seventy sample trees in various diameter classes (4-16 inch; 10.2-40.6 cm) were randomly selected for honeylocust (Gleditsia tricanthos), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), and littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata). Results indicate a siqnificant increase in pruning time, waste wood stack time, and waste woad yield for each species as diameter increases. Maintenance costs and waste wood yields are significantly higher for honeylocust followed h_y green ash, littleleaf linden, and Norway maple. Future pruning costs and waste wood yields are projected based on growth analyses of the four species. Average annual diameter growth is greatest for green ash with 0. 52 inches Cl. 32 cm): foll owed by honeylocust 0. 50 inches ( L 27 cm): Norway maple 0.44 inches (1.12 cm): and littleleaf linden 0.40 inches (1.02 cm). Cankers were found on 5.7% of the Norway maple and evidence of insect damage was found on 40% of the green ash.