Current map – map that locates plots, self guided tour map, historic map, or aerial photo – such as google earth.
Inventory and record location of landscape features – noting their condition. [Paper inventory, mapping details, plant inventory, data entry DS Students doing surveys] Paper inventory/assessment – paper mapping or – electronic/GPS (such as iphone app) `
For most cemeteries, you will probably be able to find at least some Historic documentation. Types of documentation that are helpful to understand the cemeteries historic condition include….. Places to find these records include the cemetery office, local historical societies and libraries, antique shops, and ebay.
Types of records you might find at the cemetery office include plot records, meeting minutes, maintenance forms, and perpetual care agreements.
You might also find original planting plans, such as the plan depicted. If the cemetery was designed by a famous landscape gardener or architect, plans may be in archival collections associated with the individual. Planting plans may show original plantings, bed designs, and pathways.
Historic cemetery maps may be located at the cemetery, in old atlas’s, and in cemetery guidebooks. Some maps are very detailed, such as this plan from Wood Lawn cemetery in NY. The map depicts roads & trails, topography, vegetation, water features, and buildings.
One of the best resources are historic photographs, especially those that depict a broad view of the landscape. These photos provide an image of the landscape’s character – the abundance or lack of vegetation, fencing, signage, and other features.
Postcards can also be rich in detail. These are especially important for the larger 19 th century rural cemeteries that attracted a lot of visitors. You are likely to find a number of cards showing different views.
Steroviews were also popular tourist souvenirs, and they were often sold in sets, so if you find one you can, with a bit of hunting, probably Find more.
Cover and contents DS
Existing historic roads and entrance Missing roads and paths – road traces still visible New buildings, potential historic building Cemetery expansion – lower c. 1930 map does not include trees – can’t compare
Insert image of plan DS
Vegetation removals and replanting Drainage issues Fencing and gate repairs
Landscape Issue picture JC
Trees provide…shade, canopy, character, can be commemorative…aesthetic Can also impact the condition of ….
Tree hazard diagram DS Targets - Fixed: building, monuments, road or path, Movable: bench A tree with serious defects is not a hazard - Unless it is within striking distance of a target
Dead branches – also known as widowmakers – are an accident waiting to happen. They can fall in the slightest breeze. Branch stubs, the result of poor pruning or storm damage - invite disease that further weakens the limb – making it a likely candidate to fall during a storm.
Crack – a deep crack or a crack that extends completely through the trunk is extremely dangerous Decay – decaying trees can be prone to failure. The seriousness of the decay is based on the ratio of healthy wood to the decayed wood. Cankers – sinking or missing bark. Presence of a canker increases the chance of the stem breaking near the canker Week Branch Unions are the result of two or more upright stems growing so close together that bark grows between the branches.
Defects in the root system may not be as apparent as those found in the trunk or the crown of a tree. The location of a tree and what is occurring around it are good indications that the root system might be under stress. – Roots depicted injured by automobile tires – tree on the side of a road. Lack of open soil around trees, or soil so compacted the roots are not able to absorb enough air and water. Severed roots and grade changes that occur during construction and Soil Compaction. Visible indications include twig dieback, off-color or smaller than normal tree leaves, mushrooms growing around the base of the tree trunk. Trees growing under these conditions are more likely to uproot in a storm.
Low light/moisture – more biological growth Consideration – remove or thin tree? May need separate maintenance schedule for monuments under shade
Monuments and the terrain need to be protected during tree work. Ground – ruts and collapsed graves, Monuments – falling branches. (method and protective covers) Certified arborist Ask what their plan is to protect the terrain and monuments
Picture examples, discovery, dormant, where to look At the base of monuments…also in areas where its hard to mow – along coping and fence lines, between tightly spaced features
Picture examples,
Slower, narrower, more hands-on
Damage to monuments – Damage to tree trunks
Picture examples,
Less time consuming Affects historic character Stones – herbicide salt effects– NCPTT study
Cherry laurel/holly? Species – non-native, rapidly reproducing exotics – invasive. Will vary from area to area. Some species that are desirable ornamentals in one Planting zone are invasive in others. Consult local lists of invasive species…such as…. Especially important to recognize volunteer plants when cleaning up an overgrown cemetery. Better to error on the side of retaining an invasive than to remove a planted/memorial plant. Also, identify plants that are typically found in cemeteries in your area, and understand that some species that are invasive may also have been planted in the cemetery. Smaller plants of the same species scattered throughout the cemetery may be volunteers from the originally planted plant. Location – Growing directly adjacent to, or within/on top of other features– (mowed down in open areas) Species – non-native, rapidly reproducing exotics – invasive. Will vary from area to area. Some species that are desirable ornamentals in one Planting zone are invasive in others. Consult local lists of invasive species…such as…. Especially important to recognize volunteer plants when cleaning up an overgrown cemetery. Better to error on the side of retaining an invasive than to remove a planted/memorial plant. Also, identify plants that are typically found in cemeteries in your area, and understand that some species that are invasive may also have been planted in the cemetery. Smaller plants of the same species scattered throughout the cemetery may be volunteers from the originally planted plant.
Location – Growing directly adjacent to, or within/on top of other features– (mowed down in open areas) Remove soon – or bigger problem later
Cutting back alone will not work – will sprout from stump. Best way is to remove the entire plant by the roots. If not possible, cut back and apply herbicide to the top of the stem, being careful not to spread the herbicide onto desirable plant material or adjacent monuments or other historic features.
Round-up Pulling -
Roots uplifting or displacing markers and box vaults
Nashville National Cemetery – temporary grave marker. Originals Stored until tree dies or is removed.
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