Urban tree growth may be reduced due to poor urban soil conditions. Soil management to alleviate poor urban soil conditions often includes organic amendments. Biochar is one type of organic amendment with great potential for soil improvement for urban trees. This presentation will discuss: 1) what biochar is, 2) research findings on its efficacy, and 3) its pros and cons for use in urban forestry and arboriculture. The presentation will highlight research from the speaker and others, but will mostly focus on the application of this information. This presentation will feature findings from research that has been funded by the TREE fund.

About Bryant Scharenbroch

Bryant Scharenbroch is an Associate Professor of Soil Science at University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and a Research Fellow of Center for Tree Science and The Morton Arboretum. Bryant has a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a M.S. in Plant Science from University of Idaho, and B.S. degrees from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Urban Forestry and Forest Management. Bryant’s research interests are pedology and soil quality. Bryant has served as a Chair of the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division of the Soil Science Society of America and as Associate Editor for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.