Seminar
March 2009
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
Dates and venues to be confirmed

Tree Logic’s next seminar will be looking at the necessity to re-introduce nature into our urban lives. The seminar will aim to provide a holistic perspective looking at
sociological, psychological and economic perspectives of our urban forests.
Topics will also cover issues regarding the development and implementation of urban forest management.
Speakers
Kathleen Wolf is a research faculty member of the Centre for Urban Horticulture at the University of
Washington.
Kathleen investigates perceptions and experiences related to landscapes and the influence natural environments have on peoples’ behaviours, attitudes and values. Having worked as an urban horticulturist and a landscape architect, she has been able to combine her past experience in her present work having special interest in the relationships between ecology and business districts. Her research of the human dimensions of open space, urban forestry and natural systems include:

1. Public preferences and perceptions regarding urban public landscapes
2. Costs, benefits and perceptions of urban forestry in retail and commercial districts
3. Integration of urban nature and transportation systems
4. Developmental benefits associated with youth participation in urban greening work
5. Effective integration of science and policy through technology transfer

Thomas B. Randrup, Landscape Architect (1990), PhD
(1996).
2003 - present. Professor in Park Management and Urban Greening at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (since 2007, University of Copenhagen). 1996 - present. Researcher, senior consultant and senior
researcher at the Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute.
Since 1996 Thomas B. Randrup has researched and developed projects in relation to planning and management of urban green spaces, with special emphasis on urban trees. His research is currently primarily focused on strategic management (planning and maintenance) of urban green spaces which involves the development of policies, organisation and planning methods, as well as maintenance strategies in relation to green spaces.
Thomas B. Randrup is author/ co-author on more than 250 publications and he has held more than 130 presentations both nationally and internationally.

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Recently published research in the application of carbohydrates (sucrose) in root drenches has shown considerable promise in improving general plant health whilst limiting the effects of environmental stresses and even herbicide damage. Peer reviewed and published research on field trials conducted on containerised plants, young transplanted and established mature trees demonstrated that carbohydrate treatments applied at specific rates resulted in a decrease in time taken for the initiation of new roots, an increase in the number of roots initiated and improved root elongation rates.
More traditional forms of soil improvement treatments generally contain macro and micronutrients and encourage beneficial microbial activity which in turn helps release nutrients in the soil for plant uptake. These assimilates are then transported to the crown of the plant and used in the photosynthetic process to generate carbohydrates required for root growth. By providing sucrose at specific rates in and around the root zone of the plant, the carbohydrates required for root growth are immediately available thus limiting the plants reliance on the crown to provide these assimilates. This can be particularly useful in circumstances where the plants crown may have decreased foliage levels, small and/or chlorotic leaves and which may not have the capacity to produce sufficient carbohydrates for root growth.
Carbohydrates are also known to stimulate beneficial soil microbial and fungal rhizosphere that assist in plant nutrient uptake. In addition, the use of surfactants in carbohydrate drenches can improve irrigation performance and reduce water requirements. Surfactants aid in the wetting and movement of water in media and landscape soils. These are biodegradable detergent-like products that work by lowering the surface tension of water so that wetting is uniform and effective. If media wetting is not uniform, irrigation water tends to move through the larger pores in the media where it is subject to downward gravitational forces. This in turn leads to increase leaching and reduced irrigation efficiency. By improving penetration, wetting, and water movement, media surfactants can increase the effective wetting area thereby increasing irrigation efficiency.
Carbohydrate and surfactant drenches are applied through soil injection techniques that deliver the material at a depth of approximately 150 - 200mm. This is done to reduce the loss of material through natural evaporation and to better target the root system of the subject plant. Treatments shallower than this could result in other plants (particularly turf) drawing up the sucrose before the target plant has a chance to absorb it.
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Blue-green, hairy foliage is an unusual characteristic that provides contrast to adjacent green vegetation. The fibrous or fissured bark is also distinct from many wattles. Masses of bright yellow flower spikes are a feature in spring.
This species is adapted to dry sites and has a high drought tolerance.
Useful small to medium tree in urban landscapes.

Origin Common on the coast, central tablelands and central western slopes of N.S.W. and Eastern Victoria near the Snowy River (Upper). Scattered, mostly on rocky slopes near rivers or creek gullies.
Habit:
Long-lived, large shrub to small erect or spreading tree, with a broad domed canopy. In its natural environment, height varies from 2-16m. In cultivation, mature height could be expected to reach approximately 5-8m high x 5-8m wide.
Description:
Slightly corrugated to fissured bark, fibrous-flaky, grey or dark brown. Branchlets flattened and hairy. Blue-grey phyllodes, narrowly elliptical to falcate, 6-15cm x 5-25mm, covered in fine hairs and silvery hue. 1-5 inflorescences in axil of phyllodes, spike heads cylindrical, 2-6 cm long, pale to bright golden yellow in spring. Pods straight to slightly curved, flat but slightly raised over seeds, straight-sided to slightly, or occasionally more deeply, constricted between seeds, 2-8.5 cm long, 2.5-5 mm wide.
Tolerances:
Adaptable species, tolerant of alkaline soils and has a high drought tolerance. Root space: Based on mature size tree would require approximately 50m2 area or 30m3 root volume (crown projection method).
Availability:
Common in N.S.W nurseries. Occasional in other States
Uses & management:
Can be used as an alternative to Cootamundra Wattle, which can become weedy. Silvery foliage provides excellent contrast. It is an adaptable species growing in a range of situations in its natural habitat, from coastal areas to dry open forests. Could be used as small dominant tree or as an understorey planting. Is reported to be toxic to stock.

Ref:
Costermans, L. 2003, Native trees and shrubs of South-eastern Australia, Reed New Holland, Australia
Costermans, L. 2006, Supplement to native trees and shrubs of South-eastern Australia: changes and additional species,
Costermans Publishing, Australia
Kodela, P.G. 2005,
Acacia binervia
(J.C.Wendl.) J.F.Macbr., New South Wales Flora Online,
Maslin B. R. (Coordinator) 2001, WATTLE Acacias of Australia. CSIRO Publishing

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