08-29-2017, 01:11 AM
The City of Waterloo's Urban Forest Policy aims to have no species of tree represent more than 20% of the urban canopy. I'm not sure if that's currently the reality or if that's the goal. I've certainly noticed that any Norway maple that is removed is replaced by something different.
As for general genetic diversity within a species pool, I wonder how much control nurseries have in maintaining a diverse genetic stock. Are they planting acorns and maple keys from a variety of trees and hoping for the best, or are some trees simply branches that are rooted up to become trees? If the latter is the case, then the purchasing municipality could have a more limited tree gene pool.
As for general genetic diversity within a species pool, I wonder how much control nurseries have in maintaining a diverse genetic stock. Are they planting acorns and maple keys from a variety of trees and hoping for the best, or are some trees simply branches that are rooted up to become trees? If the latter is the case, then the purchasing municipality could have a more limited tree gene pool.