Arboriculture Glossary of Terms
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- Macaranga tanariusElephant's Ear - Common Macaranga
- Machard tresse (Mt)type of friction hitch used in climbing and rigging.
- machine-threadeda fine-thread pattern on hardware. used with a nut and washer and installed through a pre-drilled hole that is larger in diameter than the hardware being installed (contrast with lag-threaded).
- macroinfusiontechnique to introduce substances directly into the xylem of a tree to treat or prevent diseases. disorders. or pest problems through a relatively large-diameter hole in the trunk or a cut root (contrast with implant. macroinjection. and microinjection).
- macroinjectiontrunk injection technique that requires a relatively large-diameter hole in the trunk (contrast with implant. macroinfusion. and microinjection).
- macronutrientessential element that is required by plants in relatively large quantities such as nitrogen (N). phosphorus (P). potassium (K). and sulfur (S) (contrast with micronutrient).
- macroporerelatively large space between soil particles that is usually air filled and allows for water movement and root penetration (contrast with micropore).
- Magnolia grandifloraBull Ray - Southern Magnolia
- main conductorprimary conductor cable of a tree lightning protection system. Standard down conductor.
- Mallotus paniculatusTurn-in-the-wind - Panicled Mallotus
- Mangifera indicaMango
- manila roperope made of natural fibers. Manila hemp.
- marginalReferring to the edge or border of a leaf. as in marginal burning; also. the lower limit of acceptable conditions. as in marginal soil
- marline hitch1) simple hitch used in lashing. 2) in rigging. a secondary knot used in combination with a primary attachment knot to tie off sections for lowering.
- marline spiketool that tapers to a point. Used for separating the strands of a rope in splicing and in marling.
- marlingact of forming mar line hitches in series along an object.
- mass gradingprocess of reshaping the landscape to specified elevations for the construction of buildings and/or to provide drainage (see grading).
- mature heightmaximum height that a plant is likely to reach if the conditions of the planting site are favorable.
- MCIPMember of the Canadian Institute of Planners
- mealybugsmall. sap-sucking. scale-like insect coated with a white powdery wax.
- mechanical advantagesystem by which effort or force can be multiplied.
- Melaleuca bracteataMelaleuca bracteata
- Melaleuca quinquenerviaPaper-bark Tree - Cajeput-tree
- Melia azedarachChina-berry - Persian Lilac
- meristemundifferentiated tissue in which active cell division takes place. Found in the root tips. buds. cambium. cork cambium. and latent buds.
- mesophyllmiddle layers of a leaf where most photosynthesis takes place. Layers of the leaf between the upper and lower epidermis.
- metamorphosisbiological transformation in the life cycle of an organism. going from an immature to an adult stage.
- MEWPmobile elevated work platform
- Michelia albaWhite Jade Orchid Tree - White Champak
- Michelia champacaYellow Jade Orchid Tree - Champac
- Michoacantype of friction hitch used in climbing and rigging. named for a region in Mexico.
- micro drill resistance testinguse of a small diameter drill bit on an electric drill. measuring the change of torque resistance and indicating wood density as the drill bit passes through a trunk or limb. In tree risk assessment. used to measure the extent of decay.
- microbial extractssubstances derived from microorganisms. May be used to control certain pests.
- Microcos paniculataMicrocos
- microenvironmenta small area with physical and ecological characteristics that distinguish it from its immediate surrounding area.
- microinjectiontrunk injection technique using a small-diameter trunk penetration to introduce chemicals directly into the xylem (contrast with implant. macroinfusion. and macroinjection).
- micronutrientessential element that is required by plants in relatively small quantities such as iron (Fe). manganese (Mn). zinc (Zn). copper (Cu). and boron (B) (contrast with macronutrient).
- microporespace between soil particles that is relatively small and likely to be water filled (contrast with macropore).
- micTopulleysmall. light-duty pulley used in climbing op rations. Often used as a knot lender.
- midline looplooped knot formed or tied in the standing part of a line.
- mineralnaturally occurring. inorganic solid that has a definite chemical composition and possesses characteristic physical properties. Certain minerals are considered essential elements for tree growth and development.
- mineralizationprocess in which an organic substance is converted to or trapped in an inorganic substance.
- minimum irrigationpractice of minimizing irrigation needs through the use of drought-tolerant plants and watering only when necessary (se Xeriscape).
- minimum vegetation clearance distance (MVCD)a calculated minimum distance stated in feet (or meters) to prevent spark-over for various altitudes and operating voltages. that is used in the design of transmission facilities.
- Miscanthus sinensisMiscanthus sinensis
- mismatch cuttype of cut used in branch removal in which offset. overlapping cuts enable the section to be easily broken off. Bypass cut (see snap cut).
- mitessmall. often minute. arthropods in the order Acarina of the class Arachnida that may feed on plants. other mites. or small insects.
- miticideschemical compounds that are toxic to mites.
- mitigateto make less severe.
- mitigationThe elimination or reduction of the frequency, magnitude, or severity of exposure to risks, or minimization of the potential impact of a threat. In arboriculture, mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce tree hazards that may threaten public safety.
- mitigation measuresappropriate mitigation measures as recommended in tree risk assessment are to be carried out in a timely manner and include: Pest and disease control Pruning Cordon off the tree fall zone Installation of support system Continuous monitoring of defect Tree removal (felling)
- MLOmycoplasma-like organism
- mobileCapable of being moved
- Mobile Community Inventory Tool (MCTI)tree inventory software program included in i-Tree.
- mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)general term used primarily in the United Kingdom for mobile aerial platforms that are widely used on work sites in place of ladders and tower scaffolds.
- moleculeone or more atoms. The smallest amount of a substance that keeps its chemical properties.
- moltin insects and other arthropods. part of the metamorphosis process in which old skin is shed after a new skin (or cuticle) is formed.
- momenta turning. bending. or twisting force exerted by a lever. defined as the force (acting perpendicular to the lever) multiplied by the length of the lever.
- monitoringkeeping a close watch. Performing regular checks or inspections.
- monocotsee monocotyledon.
- monocotyledonplant with an embryo that has one single seed leaf cotyledon). Examples are grasses and palms (contrast with dicotyledon .
- monoculturethe cultivation or planting of a single species on agricultural land. in a forest setting. or within an urban landscape.
- monoeciousspecies with male and female flowers born on the same plant (contrast with dioecious).
- morphologystudy or the form and structure of plants and other living organisms (contrast with anatomy. physiology. and taxonomy).
- mortality spiralcombination of events or conditions that accelerate decline and. if left untreated. may cause the eventual death of a tree.
- Morus albaWhite Mulberry
- mosaicSymptom of certain viral diseases of plants characterized by intermingled patches of normal and light-green or yellowish color
- mottleIrregular pattern of indistinct light and dark areas
- MoUMemorandum of Understanding
- moving blockin a mechanical advantage pulley system. the pulley that moves.
- moving rope systema fall protection system in which the rope adjustment device advances along a moving line. Doubled rope technique (DdRT) or running rope systems are examples of moving rope systems (contrast with stationary rope system).
- MSDSMaterial Safety Data Sheet
- MTOAMidland Tree Officer's Association
- Muenter (Munter) hitchhitch commonly used to belay a climber.
- mulchmaterial that is spread on the soil surface to reduce weed growth. retain soil moisture. moderate temperature extremes. reduce compaction from pedestrian or vehicle traffic. and/or to improve aesthetic appearance of the landscape. Mulch can be composed of chipped. ground. or shredded organic material such as bark. wood. or recycled paper (see green mulch).
- municipal arboriculturea specialized field of arboriculture and urban forestry that deals with management of planted and naturally occurring greenspaces on public land in communities.
- municipal arboristan individual specializing in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry and having responsibility for the management of all or part of planted and naturally occurring greenspaces on public land in communities (see city forester. urban forester. and tree officer).
- Murraya paniculata Murraya paniculata
- mushroomfleshy. spore-bearing. often stemmed. fruiting body of fungi in the Basidiomycota subdivision.
- MVCDminimum vegetation clearance distance
- myceliumvegetative body of a fungus. Network of branched. fungal filaments (hyphae).
- Mycoplasma-Like Organism (MLO)A genus of bacteria without cell walls (prokaryotes) that are sometimes associated with ash yellows.
- mycorrhizaesymbiotic association between certain fungi and plant roots.