Abstract
Trees provide many benefits that can be realized at the local level, but poor growing conditions in parking lots and other hardscape areas often result in premature tree death. Planting recommendations are not guarantees, but they inform us about the probability that a tree will survive and be in good condition. Pragmatically, planting recommendations are cost-benefit equations that must be solved for each project. Recommendations to facilitate growing trees in parking lots remain largely untested. We evaluated 1,127 parking lot trees at Walt Disney World to determine planting success, examine the effect of soil volume on tree condition, and test the applicability of existing planting recommendations. The majority (81 percent) of Walt Disney World trees were in good condition, and only 3 percent had died since planting. Those that died, did so within twelve years of planting. All of the trees in at least fifteen hundred cubic feet of soil were in good condition, and Quercus virginiana planted in groups fared better than trees planted individually. Species-specific differences in the response of Walt Disney World trees to planting conditions were evident. The existing planting recommendations were imperfectly applicable to Walt Disney World parking lot trees.
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