Open AccessUrban Soil Temperatures and Their Potential Impact on Tree Growth
Author(s) -
William R. Graves
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.1994.005
Subject(s) - chlorosis , resistance (ecology) , biology , environmental science , soil water , cultivar , afforestation , sowing , botany , horticulture , agronomy , ecology
Urban soil temperature vary, butappeargreatest where asphalt and concrete surfaces, direct solar radiation, and underground utilities are present. Temperatures above 30°C appear to occur frequently in soils of street tree planting cites in the central United States. The effects of temperatures typical of urban soils on the growth of several tree species has been evaluated. Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ) is among the most heat-resistant species studied to date, with a threshold temperature at which injury occurs of around 34°C. More extreme heat causes marked growth reductions and chlorosis of terminal leaves, which appears to result from deficiencies in iron and other essential elements. Red maple (Acer rubrum and A. x freemanii) cultivars vary in their capacity to sustain growth at 34°C in the root zone. Breeding and selection of tree genotypes with superior heat resistance for use at stressful urban sites appears feasible.