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Severe twig blight leads to defoliation and death of Eastern Red Cedars. The blight as seen on these 10 <br /> individuals causes decline over a 5 to 10 year period(Dirr). Although cedar apple rust does not harm <br /> Eastern Red Cedars in a significant way they are the alternate host for this disease which severely attacks <br /> trees that exist here in high numbers in the surrounding landscape: apples, pears, hawthorns and roses <br /> (Harris). (See Images#1,2, 3). <br /> Juniper leaves persist and photosynthesize for several years.As with all conifers(evergreens)the energy <br /> reserves are concentrated in the leaves,not the root system. Therefore a large loss of leaves almost always <br /> leads to death(Shigo). <br /> If this Allee occurred on a farm as a shelter belt, it would be a case of no harm done.However the main <br /> purpose of this evergreen All is an aesthetic visual statement,therefore mass defoliation and branch <br /> thinning are not desirable characteristics. (See Image#1). <br /> Likely Mortality: <br /> The lifespan of Eastern Red Cedars in urban areas, like many trees of urban areas, is much shorter than <br /> their lifespan in natural settings. Decades of data for trees in urban areas, collected and analyzed by <br /> researchers (Urban, et al), place the average age of planted trees on urban streets at 7 years. Contributing <br /> factors include those seen at this site: lack of proper cultural care of the tree population(e.g. mulch, <br /> compost), competition from turf roots, compaction in root zone, lawn mower damage to tree trunks, <br /> pruning with flush and head cuts,and waterlogged conditions from urban stormwater.These problem are <br /> endemic to urban tree populations and are the primary limiting factor in optimal growth and longer life <br /> spans of these trees. <br /> Obviously all of these trees have lived many more than 7 years.However the number of trees that have <br /> been removed 5 of 49 (10%), and the number with significant twig blight on the remaining, 10 of 44 <br /> (23%), for a total of 33%, indicates near term mortality for all of these trees. (See Image#1). <br /> Summary& Recommendations: <br /> In general terms,the tree population surveyed was largely unhealthy and is in significant decline. <br /> 1)The removal of these trees from an urban forest point of view is not significant. However as a cultural <br /> resource the line of sight of this evergreen allee is very visually striking. These trees will not last long in <br /> their current condition. Based on the need for more parking for optimum use of the cemetery; however <br /> removal of the trees in this portion of the Allee is recommended in the near term. <br /> 2)It is also recommended that the main trunks of these trees be sold/.donated to a specialty lumber <br /> retailer because of the high demand for straight Eastern Red Cedars in cedar cabinets,furniture, etc.This <br /> will reduce the waste stream or the waste of such high quality lumber as wood chips. <br /> 3)In the event that parking is installed, angled parking is recommended. To ensure the continuity of this <br /> evergreen allee, replacement evergreen trees(see list below)can be planted in the islands between the <br /> parking bays and at the edge of the graves.Essentially behind the existing Eastern Red Cedars allee. <br /> Wheel stops to protect the trees against compaction from tires and trunk damage are also recommended. <br /> Structural soil in the tree islands is also recommended. <br /> 4)In the long term, loss of trees throughout the evergreen allee is assured. Therefore it is recommended <br /> that from the Tower of Memories to the Mausoleum Chapel a second evergreen allee at the edge of the <br />