Tuesday 22 January 2013

Arbor Cultural Evolution

Arboriculture 

the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants.

The definition is provided by Wikipedia. Something is missing.

The word is a combination of arbor and culture.

 The wiki definition acknowledges the "arbor".  Arbor means "trees" in Latin.

 Where the description is lacking is in its oversight of the word "culture".

"Culture" is equally as important to this definition..... 

 Those that practise in the field of arboriculture are most successful when they give attention to people skills.

This issue becomes more glaring in the context of the big picture. Urban forests are in a state of decline. It is clear that the problem lies with people. The best way to prevent premature demise of trees is to convince people to stop destroying them.

Attitudes about co-existing with trees in cities need to improve. I call this concept "arboricultural evolution". If this evolution is to become reality arborists need to be better communicators.


Arboriculture-- the literal breakdown.


arbor
(Latin: tree, trees)

culture
Consider the definitions below. All of the examples make sense when the concept is combined  with "trees".

 These items are copied from the website http://wordinfo.info/

1. The quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

 2. That which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc.

 3. A particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period.

 4. The development or improvement of the mind by education or training.

 5. The behaviours and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the culture of the elderly; the drug culture.

 6. In anthropology, the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.

 7. In biology, the cultivation of microorganisms; such as, bacteria, or of tissues, for scientific study, medicinal use, etc.; the product or growth resulting from such cultivation.

 8. The act or practise of cultivating the soil; tillage and farming.

 9. The raising of plants or animals; especially, with a view to their improvement; the product or growth resulting from such cultivation.


The evolution of the definition


Arboriculture of the past:
The care of trees, with a view to their improvement.

Arboriculture of the future
The quality in society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellence in the pursuit of healthy trees that foster healthy communities.


Attitudes need to change if the situations in urban forests are every going to improve. We need a culture shift.

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