Performance Testing Tree Cultivars in Metropolitan Environments

Abstract

A performance testing system is proposed for evaluating the health and growth of landscape trees planted in metropolitan regions. Test results would assist arborists in choosing species and cultivars that are best adapted to tolerate various kinds of unnatural stresses. Municipal arborists and commercial nurserymen would collaborate in the test program, contributing modest amounts of time. They would use ordinary procedures by which trees are grown, purchased, planted, and maintained, with only minor modifications. Data collected periodically by arborists would be analyzed by a test coordinator. Results pertaining to particular cities, and compilations for each species at all test sites, would become available to cooperators four years after the program started, and annually afterwards. Procedures of the test program are described, and the feasibility of putting it into operation is discussed.