Source: Stage 2 Archive Package (GTBOP_Archive_Summary_2026-01-15_UrbanTreeBMPs.md)
Best Management Practices for Urban Trees — GTBOP Green Industry Series
Dr. Ryan Klein, Assistant Professor of Arboriculture at the University of Florida, presents a comprehensive overview of best management practices for establishing and maintaining urban trees throughout their lifespan. Topics include site design for long-term tree survival, species selection using the "right tree, right place" approach, proper planting procedures, root defect correction, structural pruning from young through mature trees, and the impacts of climate change and hurricanes on urban forest management.
Dr. Klein covers practical guidance on planting strip width requirements, nursery stock quality evaluation, root ball preparation, mulching practices, and creative design solutions like structural soils and suspended sidewalks. He also introduces the Florida Trees online species selection tool and references key wind resistance research for species planning.
Presented January 15, 2026 | Moderated by Dr. Bodie Pennisi, UGA CEU Categories: Pending assignment
TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction and Speaker Bio 1:09 Urban Tree Best Management Practices Overview 4:04 Population Growth and Development Pressures 5:44 Climate Change and Shifting Hardiness Zones 9:36 Hurricane Impacts on Urban Forests 12:47 Urban Stressors and Reduced Tree Lifespan 14:24 Right Tree, Right Place 17:04 Site Evaluation for Tree Planting 20:00 Small Planting Spaces and Common Mistakes 22:37 Trunk Flare Research and Planting Strip Width 25:39 Tree Spacing and Wind Resistance 28:37 Nursery Stock Grading Standards 30:33 Florida Trees Online Species Selection Tool 34:00 Planting Procedures and Root Ball Preparation 37:58 Root Defects, Soil Amendments, and Mulching 41:03 Structural Pruning Principles 45:18 Managing Mature Trees 48:04 Current Research at University of Florida 49:13 Audience Discussion and Closing
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Why is "right tree, right place" so important economically? A: Urban trees typically don't provide net benefits until about 25 years after planting. If trees are replaced every 15–20 years due to poor species-site matching, communities pay labor, materials, and maintenance costs without ever receiving long-term returns.
Q: How wide should a planting strip be for a live oak? A: Research by Dr. Andrew Koeser found that a mature live oak (69-inch DBH) requires approximately a 16-foot-wide planting strip. The general formula is trunk flare diameter plus four feet on each side.
Q: What is the best method for correcting root defects at planting? A: Root ball shaving is preferred over radial slicing. Using a sharp spade or handsaw, remove a couple inches from the outside and bottom of the root ball. This captures most defects and redirects root growth outward into the surrounding landscape.
Q: How should structural pruning differ between young and mature trees? A: Young trees: maintain a dominant central leader, space scaffolding branches, and reduce codominant stems with small cuts. Mature trees: manage loading on the canopy exterior with small cuts at 3–5 inches, since mature heartwood cannot respond to large pruning wounds like younger sapwood-dominant trees.
Q: What are the key mulching guidelines for newly planted trees? A: Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch in a 6–8 foot diameter ring. Avoid volcano mulching — piling mulch against the trunk promotes root defects similar to burying the trunk flare.
Q: What role does site design play in wind resistance? A: Even structurally sound trees can fail in Category 2+ hurricanes, especially with saturated soils. Trees in confined planting spaces have restricted root systems that can't provide adequate anchoring. Sufficient rooting space and creative solutions like structural soils and suspended sidewalks improve stability.
RESOURCES MENTIONED • Florida Trees — Online species selection tool (UF/IFAS) • Duryea et al. (2007) — Wind resistance rankings for 76 species • Koeser & Salisbury (2023) — FEMA document ranking 281 species by wind resistance • ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Planting • ANSI A300 Pruning Standards
Getting the Best of Pests (GTBOP) is a continuing education webinar series hosted by the University of Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture.