Qualitative and quantitative evaluation and assessment of trees, by area of tree.
Link to this table.

Area of tree Qualitative and quantitative evaluation and assessment
Foliage Leaves, related to ability of tree to capture light for metabolic processes (photosynthesis), particularly noting:
  • overall canopy area
  • openings in the canopy and areas of the openings
  • quality of leaves, noting any structure or color change
  • leaf drop, patchiness, or mortality
Apical shoots and overall tree architecture and morphology
  • Trunk
    • quality and location of any damage, disruptions and disturbance
    • type of response noted to disturbance (e.g. scab, open wound, healing, etc.)
    • bark quality compared to known standards, noting any quality and quantity differences from normal
    • presence of insects, insect-related activity, and infection
  • Branches
    • overall divergence from normal branching pattern (e.g. no limbs on one side of tree)
    • branch mortality or abscission, presence of and location per normal growth patterns
    • no leaf out and bud-related structures set, presence of and location per normal patterns
    • presence of insects, insect-related activity, and infection
Fructification Fruit production, as an indicator of reproductive success and health, infection or stress-related response
  • quality of fruit, noting any damage, infection or pest indications
  • quantity of fruit. Can be difficult to interpret results, as fruit abundance or deficit can indicate stress (succession-related response of reproductive proliferation and seed band inundation prior to mortality) or success/health (succession-related response of population growth due to abundant resources; excess resources and metabolic byproducts applied seed production).
Roots
  • Difficult to assess without disturbing tree, with exception of aerial root structures (not found in MN species)
  • Note any presence and location of roots and root structures above soil finished grade

This page was last edited on 3 August 2022, at 12:44.