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SECTION 4:TREE MONITORING RESULTS <br /> planting area is 86 percent. The average heath and vigor score is 1.6 slightly <br /> g $ lower than the <br /> score of 1.8 calculated in Year 2 (2007).A score of 1.6 is roughly half-way between <br /> "medium" and"low' ranks (Table 4-1). <br /> Year 3 (2009) <br /> ' Tree mortality in this planting area decreased about 10 percent in monitoring Year 3 (2009) <br /> compared to Year 2 (2008) (Table 4-1). Two Fremont cottonwood trees (out of 49 trees) died <br /> in this planting area in Year 3 (2009) (Appendix A). The average percent survivorship in this <br /> planting area in Year 3 (2009) is 96 percent. The average percent survivorship calculated in <br /> Year 2 (2008) was 86 percent. The percent survivorship in Year 1 (2007) was 90 percent, <br /> about six percent lower than Year 3 (2009). <br /> The average heath and vigor score in Year 3 (2009) increased from scores of 1.8 and 1.6 in <br /> Years 1 and 2,respectively,to 2.3 (Table 4-2). A health and vigor score of 2.3 corresponds to <br /> a slightly higher than a"medium' rank. <br /> Year 4 (2010) <br /> In Year 4 (2010),two cottonwood trees (out of 49 trees total) (or 4 percent) died in Area B <br /> (Appendix A). This survivorship rate (96 percent) is the same as the rate calculated in Year 3 <br /> (2009) (Table 4-1). Plant survivorship values calculated in Year 1 (2007) and Year 2 (2008) <br /> were lower,at 90 and 86 percent,respectively(Table 4-1). <br /> The average heath and vigor score in Year 4 (2010) is 2.4 (Appendix A). An average health <br /> and vigor score of 2.4 is roughly half-way between"medium" and"low" ranks. This value <br /> is the highest score calculated for this planting area in any monitoring year (Table 4-2). <br /> Higher values were observed this year because the willows and box elders in this planting <br /> area were growing more vigorously and had less leaf and bark damage compared to <br /> previous years (Appendix A). However, some of the cottonwoods in this planting area had <br /> "leaf scorch" (blackened tissue at the leaf margin) that resulted in a lower health and vigor <br /> ' score. <br /> Year 5 (2011) <br /> In Year 5 (2011), two Fremont cottonwood trees (out of 49 trees total) (or 4 percent)were <br /> recorded as dead in Area B (Appendix A). The survivorship rate (96 percent) is the same as <br /> the rate calculated in Year 3 (2009) and Year 4 (2010) (Table 4-1). Plant survivorship values <br /> calculated in Year 1 (2007) and Year 2 (2008)were lower,at 90 and 86 percent,respectively <br /> (Table 4-1). <br /> The average heath and vigor score in Year 5 (2011) is 2.4 (Appendix A). An average health <br /> and vigor score of 2.4 is roughly half-way between"medium' and "low" ranks. This value <br /> is the same as that calculated for this planting sub area in Year 4 (2010) (Table 4-2). Of the <br /> ' three tree species planted in this area,the Fremont cottonwoods continue to have the lowest <br /> vigor score (2.3) primarily due to "leaf scorch" (blackened tissue at the leaf margin) <br /> (Appendix A). This damaged foliage resulted in the lower health and vigor score for this <br /> 1 species. The black willow and box elder trees both had vigor scores of 2.7,slightly higher <br /> than the Fremont cottonwood. These two tree species may not be quite as susceptible to <br /> higher salinity conditions or nutrient imbalances as the Fremont cottonwoods. <br /> 4-9 <br />