Title: Mycorrhizae and Drought Stress in New Urban Plantings

Summary: Drought stress is an important issue when planting and maintaining trees in landscapes and urban environments. Soils with minimal mycorrhizae activity may require the addition of supplemental mycorrhizae, which has been reported to increase root biomass in nursery and landscape settings. Two studies will be presented involving the planting and treatment of 20 red oaks (Quercus rubra) and 20 redbuds (Cercis canadensis) with fertilizer alone and fertilizer plus mycorrhizae. Installation of root-ingrowth-cores monitored mycorrhizae colonization of the roots, and water use, leaf color, and growth were also measured and analyzed over the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Results will be presented.

Grant Jones, M.S., Davey Tree Expert Company, Davey Institute, West Chicago, IL, United States

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