Project Number: 1230-21000-053-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: May 15, 2004
End Date: May 14, 2009

Objective:
To evaluate existing superior U.S. National Arboretum tree and shrub introductions and selections for suitability as street trees and for planting under utility lines, and to initiate a program for the breeding, selection, and evaluation of superior trees and shrubs for street and utility line plantings. To promote the use and benefits of planting appropriate trees in utility right-of-ways to reduce costs of tree trimming, removal and replacement, and minimize power outages caused by interference between oversized trees and utility lines.

Approach:
Existing U.S. National Arboretum introductions and selections will be evaluated for growth characteristics in a pot-in-pot production system in comparison to a traditional in-ground production system. Canopy structure, caliper and height gain, and root structure will be compared by destructive sampling. Remaining trees will be grown to suitable size for transplanting to city streets for on-going evaluation of growth and resistance to the stresses of urban street sites.