82 on the water relations of a site, and moisture stress affects tree canopy dimensions (Pallardy 2008). Thus, the limited height growth in year five is consistent with and expected due to moisture stress. This study offers additional insight into wire bas- ket removal and retention for balled-and-burlapped trees. While a range of conjecture exists among prac- titioners on either side of this debate, the findings from this study suggest removing packaging materials is less important than other post-transplant activities (Koeser et al. 2014; Koeser et al. 2015). This is con- sistent with studies by Goodwin and Lumis (1992) who found wire embedding to be limited in effect compared to root loss from harvesting and the impor- tance of root regeneration for plant growth and sur- vival (Struve 2009; Watson and Himelick 2013). Staking of trees following transplanting is advised on exposed sites, especially for trees that had full removal of packaging materials. In an earlier study by Koeser et al. (2015), a number of trees with full and partial removal of packaging materials were tilted following a wind event that occurred three weeks after planting. None of the trees that had wire and burlap left intact tilted during the storm. Furthermore, this study does not contradict other studies that found no effect regarding either removing or not removing packaging materials at transplanting (Lumis and Struger 1988; Koeser et al. 2015). Lumis and Struger (1988) stated in regards to tree survival that “the concern about detrimental effects of wire baskets may be overstated.” Appleton and Floyd (2004) note that wire baskets can cause issues with tripping if the wire is above ground. They also men- tion the potential dangers of grinding stumps with embedded wire, though no concrete examples are provided. While often repeated, it is not clear how often this occurs or what injuries have been linked to these two risk scenarios. Burlap fabric has also been suggested as a cause of concern with transplant success. However, Kuhns (1997) found no effect of one layer of natural burlap in terms of restricting root growth. Multiple layers were found to potentially impede root growth. There- fore, if burlap is to be removed at planting, we recom- mend cutting it away rather than folding it down into the planting hole. Also, in contrast to natural burlap, synthetic burlap may cause root girdling over time and should be removed (or avoided in balled-and- burlapped production) (Kuhns 1997). ©2019 International Society of Arboriculture Klein et al: Impacts of Wire Basket Retention and Removal CONCLUSION This study builds upon the limited set of research that asks the question “should you remove packaging materials at planting?” Given past findings and these new results, this study concludes that removal of wire basket and natural burlap is largely a personal choice. If desired, it should be developed as a scope of work prior to planting. While the removal of the wire bas- ket and burlap may have little impact on growth and survival, it will likely necessitate staking on sites with wind exposure. After nine years of growth, our data suggests that full removal might lead to a slightly larger tree cali- per. While there are many urban planting situations where growth is not a priority, this could potentially impact the economic and ecological value of a tree. A future study could address this long-term question and contrast all the costs associated with removal of materials (e.g., staking, time to remove materials). While our work is not the final say on the question of whether or not to remove planting materials, it does add to a small but growing body of research on the topic. Ultimately, the decision to remove or retain a wire basket may be less important than site factors that have been shown to limit tree growth and establish- ment like rooting soil volume or post-transplanting activities such as watering. LITERATURE CITED Appleton, B., and S. Floyd. 2004. Wire baskets: Current products and their handling at planting. Journal of Arboriculture 30(4):261–265. Davis, R. 2014. Leave wire baskets attached to roots for best results. The Times-News. Accessed February 3, 2018. . Feucht, J. R. 1986. Wire baskets can be slow killers of trees. American nurseryman (USA). Fuchs, B. 2013. Drought and Climate for July 2013: East-West split continues, with drought intensity easing but spreading. National Drought Mitigation Center. Accessed February 3, 2018. . Gilman, E.F. 2001. Effect of nursery production method, irriga- tion, and inoculation with mycorrhizae-forming fungi on establishment of Quercus virginiana. Journal of Arboriculture 27:30–39. Gilman, E.F. 2015. Planting balled and burlapped (B&B) or field- grown trees. University of Florida. Accessed February 3, 2018. . Goodwin, C., and G. Lumis. 1992. Embedded wire in tree roots: Implications for tree growth and root function. Journal of Arboriculture 18(3):115-123.
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