Glossary

Biomass | the amount of living organic matter in trees.

Buffer distances | the amount of space between an ecologically sensitive area (e.g., wetland, newly planted tree) and a different ecological zone or hazard (e.g., power line, salted roadway).

Central leader | the dominant vertical trunk in the centre of a tree.

Deciduous | a type of tree that typically sheds its leaves on an annual basis. They are also referred to as broadleaf or hardwood trees.

Evergreen | a type of tree that typically keeps its needles or leaves year-round. They are also referred to as conifer or softwood trees.

Girdling Roots | a scenario where a tree’s roots circle around the trunk, or a section of the trunk.

Pore spaces | the amount of empty space in soil.

Riparian buffer | a defined space that separates or transitions an aquatic area from other land zones.

Root flare | the place where a tree trunk connects to the roots, flaring out at soil level.

Root mass | the weight of a tree’s root system.

Seedling | a young tree that has been grown from a seed and is in the early phase of development.

Seedling failure | a situation where a seedling is no longer able to develop and dies. This could occur for many reasons, including breakage due to severe weather, disease or pest damage.

Taproot | the largest and most dominant root within a tree’s root system which grows vertically and in a downwards direction.

Trail corridor | an area that has been designated as a continuous passageway for recreational use.