Equation for Calculating Evapotranspiration of Technical Soils for Urban Planting

Equations for calculating evapotranspiration in technical soils show great differences regarding their results. Causes are the different climatic conditions and vegetation specifics during their development. Every equation of evapotranspiration only delivers 100% correct results if it is used under the same climatic condition as it was developed in. To determine the evapotranspiration, the loss of weight of different technical soils and plants was measured in a test series on load cells in a climate chamber. The result of these test series is the development of an easy-to-use equation. An equation for calculating evapotranspiration at any temperature is possible while using a polynomial correlation. To determine the evapotranspiration rate (in mm/m² per 24 h), only temperature, vegetation type, and technical soil have to be defined to obtain an output of evapotranspiration in mm/day. Using the well-known equation by Makkink, evapotranspiration in technical soils is 0.12 mm/day, whereas the newly developed equation calculates (1) 2.59–5.58 mm/day for the variant with no vegetation, (2) 3.15–4.00 mm/day for Sedum floriferum, (3) 4.40–4.55 mm/day for Geranium x cantabrigiense. The application of this equation will help to determine the evapotranspiration in chosen technical soils (used in the sector of rainwater management) with or without vegetation.

An Evaluation of Tree Procurement and Acquisition Strategies for Urban Planting

Cities increasingly plant trees for the numerous benefits they provide to communities. Tree health and structure at planting affect their growth and development and the long-term accumulation of important environmental, economic, and social benefits. Consequently, it is important to procure and acquire high quality trees from commercial suppliers. In order to characterize the range of experience with tree procurement, a qualitative study was conducted to document this important urban forest management process in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 municipal arborists to obtain primary information about tree procurement and acquisition, and the data collected were evaluated to summarize the state of knowledge about this process. The data suggest three main components comprise tree procurement, including establishing needs and requirements, evaluating and assigning suppliers, and managing commercial relationships. During 2008, participants in this study collectively planted over 26,000 trees from 132 woody taxa. Although participants described similar tree planting needs, they adopted markedly different approaches to buying them from and interacting with commercial suppliers. The results illustrate similarities and differences in tree procurement among participants and establish a framework for further research and discussion.

The Study on Complex Planting Modes of Urban and Architecture

<p>An ideal urban planting mode of contemporary cities is discussed, and the<br />urban complex planting modes are compared and analyzed. Based on architect Emilio<br />Ambasz’s “overlay” theory, a multi-cell and three-dimensional complex planting mode<br />closely combined with architectural space is presented. Aiming at the current shortcoming<br />of paying attention only to local advantage and ignoring the whole benefit of urban<br />planting, it is suggested to integrate the urban planting system with the architectural<br />system, so as to emphasize the maximization of the integrative using efficiency of urban<br />space.</p>

The Study on Complex Planting Modes of Urban and Architecture

<p>An ideal urban planting mode of contemporary cities is discussed, and the<br />urban complex planting modes are compared and analyzed. Based on architect Emilio<br />Ambasz’s “overlay” theory, a multi-cell and three-dimensional complex planting mode<br />closely combined with architectural space is presented. Aiming at the current shortcoming<br />of paying attention only to local advantage and ignoring the whole benefit of urban<br />planting, it is suggested to integrate the urban planting system with the architectural<br />system, so as to emphasize the maximization of the integrative using efficiency of urban<br />space.</p>

Comparison of Structural and Noncompacted Soils for Trees Surrounded by Pavement

Trees in areas surrounded by pavement often have inhospitable rooting environments, which shorten their useful life expectancy. This trial was established to compare five different soil treatment options under pavement. Snowgoose cherry (Prunus serrulata) and Bosque lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) were planted into 5.4 m 3(189 ft 3) of medium containing compacted soil, gravel/soil mixture, Stalite, Stalite/soil mixture, or noncompacted soil and covered with concrete. A variety of growth and health parameters were measured after 14 months. It was found that there was more trunk diameter growth with the noncompacted treatment than the Stalite and Stalite/soil treatments; more twig growth in the noncompacted and gravel/soil treatments than all others; higher relative chlorophyll rating in the noncompacted treatment than all others; and more root growth in the noncompacted treatment (elms only). Suspended pavement over noncompacted soils provided the greatest amount of tree growth and health and should be considered when designing urban planting sites for trees.