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The article offers lessons and perspectives on the assessment of the estimated 8,000 native tree species in Brazil that will help drive the country's conservation actions.

The article discusses the ex situ conservation of endangered Malagasy trees at Parc Ivolonia in Madagascar.

The article discusses the approaches to tree conservation in China of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) as well as its projects to ensure the survival of threatened tree species.

This article discusses the welfare of trees envisaged in ancient literature in India. It tackles the welfare of trees in ancient Vedic literature, the welfare of trees as visioned by early sages depicted in "Ramayana," by Sage Valmiki, and the role of tribal communities in protecting the welfare of trees.

In this article I discuss the alchemy of the death of a dear old tree and its interconnection with the cosmos, the soil of our ranch, and with the legend of the Fall from Paradise. The current environmental crisis is viewed through the lens of alchemist and climatologist Klocek's (2011) Climate: Soul of the Earth. Jung's interpretation of the baby viewed in the withered tree of Paradise after the Fall as a birth of an evolution of consciousness of incarnated spirit is discussed, and an alchemical treatment to assist in this evolution described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Tamil people of South India the veneration of trees and forests still occupies an important part of their daily life. Once recognized as the abode of a local deity, trees are not allowed to be harmed or felled except for religious purposes such as for the repairing of a temple or shrine: sanctification is based on religious sentiments and cultural values, and also linked to ecology. Sacred trees are protected because people fear the anger of the gods that have their abode in them. People also worship trees because they hope that the power and fertility contained in them may be transferred into human life and sacred groves are often protected by local communities. Mostly sacred groves protect important watershed areas that deliver the important water resource to the communities. However, traditional values among others are decreasing due to a growth in urbanisation that is leading to the degradation and disappearance of sacred sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbaryl is regarded among the most effective, economically viable, and ecologically-compatible insecticides available for protecting conifers from bark beetle attack in the western United States. Treatments are typically applied in spring prior to initiation of bark beetle flight for that year. We evaluated the efficacy of spring and fall applications for protecting individual lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud, from mortality attributed to mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, the most notable forest insect pest in western North America. Both spring and fall treatments of 2.0% a.i. carbaryl (Sevin ® SL) were efficacious for two field seasons, while results from a third field season were inconclusive due to insufficient beetle pressure. We discuss the implications of these and other results to the management of D . ponderosae . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbenone (4,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one) is an antiaggregant of the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a notable forest insect capable of causing extensive levels of tree mortality in western North America. Several formulations of verbenone are registered for tree protection, but failures in efficacy are not uncommon, particularly when applied during large infestations. A formulation of (–)-verbenone was developed (Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology [SPLAT] Verb, ISCA Technologies Inc., Riverside, CA) and evaluated for protecting individual lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon, and small stands of P. contorta from mortality attributed to D. ponderosae. SPLAT Verb applied to individual P. contorta resulted in complete tree protection, while 93.3% mortality occurred in the untreated controls. Significantly fewer P. contorta were killed by D. ponderosae within 0.041-ha circular plots surrounding P. contorta treated with SPLAT Verb compared with the untreated control. In a second study, a smaller percentage of P. contorta were colonized and killed on 0.4-ha square plots treated with SPLAT Verb compared with the untreated control. No significant differences in levels of tree mortality were observed between the untreated control and another formulation of verbenone (7-g pouch) or between the 7-g pouch and SPLAT Verb. In a trapping bioassay, no significant differences were observed among captures in multiple-funnel traps at 1, 2, or 4 m from the point of release of SPLAT Verb. Significantly fewer D. ponderosae were collected at 1 and 2 m compared with 8 m. Significantly more D. ponderosae were captured at the farthest distance evaluated (16 m) than at any other distance. Our data indicate that SPLAT Verb is effective for protecting individual P. contorta and small stands of P. contorta from mortality attributed to D. ponderosae at moderate doses. The high levels of tree protection observed are attributed to the ability of applying release points (dollops) at high densities, and a larger zone of inhibition than reported for other formulations of verbenone. SPLAT Verb was registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on pines, Pinus spp., in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study reports on the biocultural dimensions of thetasat(Arenga obtusifoliaGriff.) tree and its conservation by various informal institutions of theAditribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The study included 240Adicommunity members (120 men and 120 women) residing in 12 villages of the East Siang and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The study was conducted using personal interviews and participatory methods. Results indicated that the stem oftasatis used as a traditional food during droughts and in preparing an ethnic beverage.Tasatis being conserved by theAditribe in various habitats. Plant populations oftasatwere observed relatively higher in Upper Siang than the East Siang district. The study found differences in the status of biocultural knowledge between genders and different age groups.Kebangandreglepare two indigenous institutions of men and women, respectively, and play leading roles in sustainingtasatplants in various habitats. Women of the Upper Siang district still maintain a knowledge network for diffusing biocultural knowledge related totasat, among others, through a barter system. Changing land use patterns in agriculture affectstasatconservation. The value addition fortasatbased products, and rewarding women who conservetasat, can enhance the sustainability oftasatbased on biocultural knowledge and institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the collaboration agreement signed by the Collado Villalba City Council in order to promote the care of trees in the town and make the population aware of the importance of protection and expansion of green spaces.

Large trees play several vital roles in the Angkor monuments landscape. They protect biodiversity, enhance the tourism experience, and provide various ecosystem services to local residents. A clear understanding of forest composition and distribution of individual species, as well as timely monitoring of changes, is necessary for conservation of these trees. using traditional field work, obtaining this sort of data is time-consuming and labour-intensive. This research investigates classification of very high resolution remote sensing data as a tool for efficient analyses. QuickBird satellite imagery was used to clarify the tree species community in and around Preah Khan temple, to elucidate differences in ecological traits among the three dominant species (Dipterocarpus alatus, Lagerstroemia calyculata and Tetrameles nudiflora), and to identify crowns of the dominant species. Population structures of trees were determined using a 14.26ha study plot. Species name, DBH, height, height under the crown and crown area were recorded for all trees over 40 cm in DBH. Tree locations were also recorded so as to provide references for the imagery analysis. Ecological traits of the dominant species were estimated using regressions by an expanded allometric equation for both large and small trees, based on DBH, height, height under the crown and crown width. The total number of species in the study plot was 45. From a spatial perspective, the three dominant species over 100 cm in DBH were segregated from each other. D. alatus, L. calyculata and T. nudiflora were concentrated, respectively, along the approach to the temple, near the centre of the complex, and on the walls of the monument. Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) conducted using QuickBird satellite imagery, showed that crowns of D. alatus were largely determined by maximum of NIR layer and mean of digital number in panchromatic layer. Differences in the parameters for both asymptotic height and spatial distribution among the dominant species, result from differences in ecological traits, and enhance the value of the tourism resource by providing a dramatic shift of forest scenery that can be enjoyed by visitors to the monument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is experiencing dramatic changes to planning legislation in anticipation of increased population growth as a result of its bid to develop a world- class city. The Kaurna, as the traditional owners, have largely been ignored in consultations over proposed changes. Indeed, the push for development reinforces the next chapter of a colonial project, legitimating a discourse of terra nullius for Kaurna and largely thwarting their native title aspirations. In this article, I discuss how the push to modernize Adelaide and satellite centres hides a reinvigoration of the colonists' fear of the bush and a desire to impose order and civilization through the built environment. Significant trees have become sites of contested identity within Aboriginal and colonial relationships as pressures for the expansion of the city and suburbs drive changes to regulations protecting trees at the expense of environmental concerns and the protection of wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urban North American beaver (Castor canadensis) damage of trees and saplings was compared between shore forests and forests uphill of macadam, wood chip, and raised wood board human pathways used daily in Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, TN. Also, comparisons of beaver damage were made between shore forests and forests uphill of bare earth deer paths used less than once a month by humans and the forests were on 5% and 30% slopes. Means, standard deviations, and t-tests (P ≤0.05) were calculated for percent beaver damage, which included undamaged stems, beaver-cut stems, and beaver-cut stumps. Significant differences in beaver damage of trees and saplings were found between forests uphill of the human pathways used daily and the respective shore forests. Beaver damage of trees and saplings was not significantly different between the shore forests and forests uphill of the deer paths used less than once a month by humans for the 5% slope forest; however, the differences were significant for the 30% slope forest. Beaver damage of trees and saplings was significantly greater in the uphill of the deer paths forests than the uphill of the human pathways forests for comparable slope forests. Human scent on the pathways used daily made of macadam, wood chips, and raised wood boards was interpreted to be the barrier sensed by beavers to not cross over or under the human pathways to damage trees and saplings. This research suggests utilizing human pathways as an odor fence to spatially limit beaver damage, which provides a whole forest management alternative to individual tree protection for management of beaver damage in the urban forest. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An expert opinion was compiled to justify urgend protection of old trees, oks in particular, in our woods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have numerous active protection strategies for adapting to complex and severe environments. These strategies provide endless inspiration for extending the service life of materials and machines. Tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla), a tree that thrives in raging sandstorm regions, has adapted to blustery conditions by evolving extremely effective and robust erosion resistant characteristics. However, the relationships among its surface cracks, internal histology and biomechanics, such as cracks, rings, cells, elasticity modulus and growth stress, which account for its erosion resistance, remain unclear. This present study reveals that the directionally eccentric growth rings of tamarisk, which are attributed to reduced stress and accelerated cell division, promote the formation of surface cracks. The windward rings are more extensive than the leeward side rings. The windward surfaces are more prone to cracks, which improves erosion resistance. Our data provide insight into the active protection strategy of the tamarisk against wind-sand erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Woodlands Township, TX, has a tree protection policy that consists of tree removal permits and minimum tree and shrub cover regulations. This paper examined the effect of The Woodlands’ tree protection policy on surface urban heat island (SUHI) at the neighborhood scale by comparing the mean land surface temperatures (LSTs) derived from 37 thermal infrared bands of Landsat TM images between The Woodlands’ neighborhoods and nearby control neighborhoods without such a policy. To rule out the effect of confounding factors that may influence LSTs, the control neighborhoods were selected to be similar in physical and socioeconomic status to The Woodlands’ neighborhoods. LSTs of The Woodlands’ neighborhoods were, on average, 1.5–3.9°C lower than those of the control neighborhoods. The cooling effect of The Woodlands’ tree protection policy was more prominent in summer when SUHI mitigation was mostly needed. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that a local tree protection policy is effective in mitigating SUHI at the neighborhood scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses geomatics and the law in Canada as of September 2013. Particular focus is given on the court's decision in the case Hartley v. Cunningham which deals on the legal aspects of pruning or outright removal of Norway maple trees and the case for these trees as common property. It also discusses the law on treet protection.

The article discusses the value and importance of urban trees and factors that significantly influence public support for protecting them. These factors were identified by examining mail survey data obtained from a representative sample of 800 homeowners living in a rapidly urbanizing area within Southern Appalachia. A series of multiple regression analysis tested an Integrated Model of Urban Tree Support that combines measures of attitudes, beliefs, values, and sociodemographic variables to predict homeowner support for local urban tree protection. The findings lend support to many features of the model and revealed that homeowners who have stronger protree attitudes, have greater environmental concerns, place more importance on trees when looking for a new place to live, attribute symbolic value and meaning to them are more supportive. Women and Democrats are also more supportive. Recommendations are offered for future research and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Reforestation of former pastures with native timber trees holds potential to improve small-scale farmers livelihoods while supporting ecosystem functioning and biological diversity. To promote successful reforestation with native tree species, more knowledge is needed, particularly on effects of species identity, tree diversity, and insecticide application on tree survival and growth at different time periods after plantation establishment. We assessed these effects for three native Central American timber species and compared results gained 2 and 5years after tree establishment. Survival, stem diameter, and tree height were quantified for Tabebuia rosea, Anacardium excelsum, and Cedrela odorata, planted in (1) monocultures, (2) three-species mixtures, and (3) three-species mixtures treated with insecticides during the first 2years of seedling establishment. We further tested how survival and growth performance were affected by the individual tree position within reforestation tree stands to account for border effects in small-scale tree patches in pasture-afforestations. Survival was significantly affected by tree species identity with the highest survival in T. rosea and the lowest survival in C. odorata. Tree growth was affected by tree species identity, tree diversity, insecticide treatment, environmental heterogeneity, and border effects, but these effects varied across the individual tree species. Interspecific analyses revealed significant differences between species. A. excelsum trees attained the largest and C. odorata the smallest size after 5years of growth. Across species, tree growth in years 3–5 after tree planting was highest in mixtures treated with insecticides during tree establishment, followed by monocultures and then unprotected mixtures. Enhanced growth in monocultures compared to unprotected mixtures was particularly found in T. rosea during early establishment, and in A. excelsum at a later stage of tree stand development. Growth-enhancing effects of planting schemes may be related to differential responses to herbivore damage and to tree-tree competition. Positive border effects, i.e. a significantly enhanced growth at the border of a tree stand, were found for T. rosea in all three planting schemes and for A. excelsum in protected mixtures. Our results suggest that besides early, restricted insecticide application, tree diversity within stands should be considered as management measure to enhance timber tree growth on former pasture. The finding of enhanced growth of native timber trees at the border of small tree stands suggests small patches of native timber trees planted on former pasture as a promising reforestation strategy in Latin America. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi Greville and Balfour, is a dominant yellow pine and important overstory component of forests growing on diverse sites from southwestern Oregon to Baja California to western Nevada. The Jeffrey pine beetle, Dendroctonus jeffreyi Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is monophagous on Jeffrey pine and its primary insect pest. Despite the importance of P. jeffreyi, difficult terrain, environmental concerns, and lack of roads can constrain pest management activities. Semiochemicals are often easier to apply and more environmentally acceptable than other options, but they are lacking in this system. Attractants have been identified, but field bioassays have been limited because of infrequent or short duration outbreaks and a lack of beetles during nonoutbreak periods. Disruptant semiochemicals have not been assessed for D. jeffreyi during outbreak conditions; however, commercially available semiochemicals have been implicated as disruptants for this bark beetle. The objective of this study was to identify the most effective commercially available attractant and disruptant semiochemicals for D. jeffreyi. Our highest observed catch occurred with the blend of 5% 1-heptanol and 95% n-heptane. When this was used to challenge potential disruptant semiochemicals, the combination of S-(-)-verbenone and the green leaf volatile blend (cis-3-Hexenol and 1-Hexanol) reduced trap catch by ≈80%. However, frontalin was most effective, reducing the number of D. jeffreyi caught by >96%. Within each year of the study, the percentage female of D. jeffreyi caught with our attractant decreased from start to end of the experimental period. On average, our first collection in a year (mid-June to early July) was 59% female, whereas our last (mid-August) was 34%. Frontalin was equally or more effective against females (the pioneering sex) than males, providing optimism that semiochemieal disruption may be possible for protecting Jeffrey pines from D. jeffreyi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]