The Times of India 12 Mar 2017
MUMBAI: Facing the heat from citizens over the indiscriminate cutting of trees for the Rs 23,000 crore Metro III project, an arborist has been appointed for a tree preservation management plan.
An arborist is a specialist in cultivation and care of trees, including prevention of tree diseases.
The arborist, Simon Leong from Singapore, has been appointed by Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd's (MMRCL) general consultants, Maple Consortium, for six months at US $33,000 -that's about Rs 22 lakh-a month besides accommodation and return air fare (four trips). The appointment was approved in January this year after the MMRCL had already identified trees to be cut. Till date, around 100 trees in south Mumbai have been cut.
Activists are questioning the cost being incurred for transplanting trees, given the fact that in the past no transplanted tree has survived. "It's a complete eyewash. Tree plantation or transplantation is a complete scam in the city as norms are very lax," said Zoru Bathena of Aarey Conservation Group.
The MMRCL has proposed to cuttransplant 5,012 trees along the 33.5 km route comprising 26 stations. The last station is proposed at Aarey Colony where the metro car shed is to be located.
Nina Verma, a Churchgate resident, filed a petition against cutting of trees while Pervin Jehangir, aCuffe Parade resident, filed a writ against due process not being followed besides other issues.The Bombay high court, which, in February , stayed the cutting of trees is hearing both matters together.
Through the Right to Information Act, residents learnt that trees from ColabaCuffe Parade are to be transplanted at Wadala in marshland where even mangroves do not grow . Also, new trees meant for Colaba and Cuffe Parade are to be planted as compensatory afforestation in Wadala in the marshland.
The law mandates that for every tree that is cut, three have to be planted within 30 days. In this case, not one tree has been planted yet.
Ashwini Bhide, managing director, MMRCL, said the decision to appoint the arborist was approved by the Tree Authority in December 2016January 2017 with a large number of trees (1,700) which were slated to be transplanted.
"Based on search around India and abroad, our general consultants suggested that the Singapore expert had a good track record of tree plantation and survival. He (Leong) will visit Mumbai over the next 12-18 months and helping MMRC contractors address this crucial responsibility ," said Bhide.
Bhide said MMRCL has 43 hectares for tree plantationtransplantation of which 30 hectares are at Aarey . She said the marshland at Wadala would "obviously be avoided or suitable trees in consultation with the civic garden department will be planted."
Bhide did not respond to questions on whether the tree preservation management plan will be shared with citizens. She said the tree cover at metro stations will be restored but did not give a timeline.
[Also in: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/rs-21-lakh-a-month-mmrc-hires-tree-consultant-4565863/]
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Biostimulant and Fish Liver Cod Oil Used on Trees
A recent TV show featured lesser known jobs in Singapore, called Sherlock at Work and it was hosted by Pornsak Prajakwit. In episode 5, the topic was on arborists, and Pornsak followed an arborist around for a "day in the life of an arborist". The show was uploaded to Toggle Video on 23 Nov 2016.
In one segment, after showing Pornsak on the use of resistograph and reasoned that the tree she was examining seemed to be in good health, she proceeded to ask Pornsak to apply mulch at the tree base. Following that, biostimulants and fish liver cod oil was applied into the ground near the tree using a hollow probe.
Liquid tank from which the biostimulant and fish liver cod oil was pumped from. (Screengrab credit: Mediacorp)
Ta-da biostimulant. (Screengrab credit: Mediacorp)
The host of the show applying the liquid mixture into the ground and the arborist supervised. Note the girth of the tree being treated and distance from the tree that probe was inserted. (Screengrab credit: Mediacorp)
Liquid emerging from the ground, or did the liquid not go into the ground? (Screengrab credit: Mediacorp)
Root spread of trees
The rule of thumb in arboriculture states the following regarding root spread:
1. Tree root systems extend out several times of the tree's diameter (depending on the age of tree).
2. More than 60 percent of the absorbing root system is beyond the dripline.
3. Most roots are in the top foot (30.5 cm) of soil.
The hollow probe should be inserted further away from the tree, given the advanced age of the tree, as most of the absorbing roots that takes in water and nutrients are located at the edge of the root system (beyond the dripline). In addition, since a fancy concoction was being used, it should be applied deeper than the surface of the ground, in order to avoid being absorbed by the grasses, being evaporated, and flowing away.
What are biostimulants?
Biostimulants are a group of compounds that promote favourable plant responses and are non-nutritional. Common commercial biostimulants contain many, if not all of the following ingredients:
- Plant hormones/Plant growth regulators
- Humic compounds
- Sea kelp extract and/or organic matter
Some of the claims reported by biostimulant manufacturers include:
- Stimulate plant responses and work in all weather conditions
- Increase natural plant toxins, repelling pests
- Increase microbial root protection from soil pathogens
- Improve root development
- Improve drought tolerance
- Increases nutrient uptake
- Stimulate plant's immune system
- Produce deeper roots
- Improve stress tolerance
- Accelerate establishment
- Increases Cation Exchange Capacity
- Enhances fertilisation and reduces leaching
- Detoxify chemical residues and heavy metals
- Increase stomata opening and plant transpiration
University studies on biostimulants do not fully agree with the claims usually made by manufacturers especially with regards to reducing fertiliser and pesticide use. However, there are positive reports that biostimulants show potential uses in turf under stress conditions and promote favourable nutrient mobilisation, although the responses to biostimulant may vary depending upon the biostimulant formulation and among species.
Harris et al. (1997) concluded that biostimulants appeared to be not useful if good transplanting methods were practiced with burlapped trees. This is consistent with the principle that under normal growing conditions, plants are self-sufficient and do not respond to an exogenous supply of hormones.
Another group of researchers (Zhang and Schmidtt, 1999) found that biostimulants does not stimulate much plant growth. One could conclude that a balanced fertiliser and compost application produces biostimulant-like responses, i.e., shoot growth, increase nutrient uptake, and photosynthate ("food" made by the plant with photosynthesis) translocation.
References
Harris, J. R., Fanelli, J., and Knight P. 1997. SNA Research Conference. 42: 369-372
Zhang, X. and Schmidt, R. E. 1999. Biostimulating turf-grasses. Ground Maintenance. 34(11): 14-32
Show credits (Screengrab credit: Mediacorp)
In one segment, after showing Pornsak on the use of resistograph and reasoned that the tree she was examining seemed to be in good health, she proceeded to ask Pornsak to apply mulch at the tree base. Following that, biostimulants and fish liver cod oil was applied into the ground near the tree using a hollow probe.
Root spread of trees
The rule of thumb in arboriculture states the following regarding root spread:
1. Tree root systems extend out several times of the tree's diameter (depending on the age of tree).
2. More than 60 percent of the absorbing root system is beyond the dripline.
3. Most roots are in the top foot (30.5 cm) of soil.
The hollow probe should be inserted further away from the tree, given the advanced age of the tree, as most of the absorbing roots that takes in water and nutrients are located at the edge of the root system (beyond the dripline). In addition, since a fancy concoction was being used, it should be applied deeper than the surface of the ground, in order to avoid being absorbed by the grasses, being evaporated, and flowing away.
What are biostimulants?
Biostimulants are a group of compounds that promote favourable plant responses and are non-nutritional. Common commercial biostimulants contain many, if not all of the following ingredients:
- Plant hormones/Plant growth regulators
- Humic compounds
- Sea kelp extract and/or organic matter
Some of the claims reported by biostimulant manufacturers include:
- Stimulate plant responses and work in all weather conditions
- Increase natural plant toxins, repelling pests
- Increase microbial root protection from soil pathogens
- Improve root development
- Improve drought tolerance
- Increases nutrient uptake
- Stimulate plant's immune system
- Produce deeper roots
- Improve stress tolerance
- Accelerate establishment
- Increases Cation Exchange Capacity
- Enhances fertilisation and reduces leaching
- Detoxify chemical residues and heavy metals
- Increase stomata opening and plant transpiration
University studies on biostimulants do not fully agree with the claims usually made by manufacturers especially with regards to reducing fertiliser and pesticide use. However, there are positive reports that biostimulants show potential uses in turf under stress conditions and promote favourable nutrient mobilisation, although the responses to biostimulant may vary depending upon the biostimulant formulation and among species.
Harris et al. (1997) concluded that biostimulants appeared to be not useful if good transplanting methods were practiced with burlapped trees. This is consistent with the principle that under normal growing conditions, plants are self-sufficient and do not respond to an exogenous supply of hormones.
Another group of researchers (Zhang and Schmidtt, 1999) found that biostimulants does not stimulate much plant growth. One could conclude that a balanced fertiliser and compost application produces biostimulant-like responses, i.e., shoot growth, increase nutrient uptake, and photosynthate ("food" made by the plant with photosynthesis) translocation.
References
Harris, J. R., Fanelli, J., and Knight P. 1997. SNA Research Conference. 42: 369-372
Zhang, X. and Schmidt, R. E. 1999. Biostimulating turf-grasses. Ground Maintenance. 34(11): 14-32
Friday, April 7, 2017
Arboriculture Happenings at Bugis Area
Sunday, April 2, 2017
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