This time of year, it is easy to see what trees are feeling. Listening to their calls for help includes understanding the tree’s body language. Examples of drooping leaves, early leaf drop in summer and early fall color are signs of stress.
A severe problem is obvious when one side or 1 large branch turns color before the rest of the tree. This is a sign that a root is wrapped around the trunk and as they both grow in diameter, it cuts off the supply of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.
Girdling roots up to 2-inch diameter can be cut after tree base of tree is excavated.
A tree should not look like a pole in the ground. The root should flare where the tree and soil meet.
Extreme prolonged periods of heat or drought create an environment of dry, hard compacted soil causing roots to dry and die. Long periods of rain with wet areas that take longer than normal to drain will drown the roots.
Acidifier is added if there is nutrient deficiency to help the roots store iron and magnesium for next years leaf growth. Early fall color or leaf drop are signs of stressed trees. The yellowing leaf color with green veins are a sign of alkaline soils and need a ph adjustment.
Sometimes the tree was planted too deep or has too much mulch. The solution is to rake off the mulch and excavate carefully with air pressure to avoid root damage.
Fall is the best time to encourage growth with aeration and the addition of organic soil amendments.
Roots need air! Aeration for the root zone and adding organic compost with micro-organisms assist the tree roots in recovering and growing through the fall until the ground freezes.
We all need air to breathe. Saturated soils with heavy compacted clay do not have enough oxygen for the micro-organisms to thrive. Life underground is critical to create organic matter for decomposition and the release of nutrients and oxygen exchange/
Plant a tree this fall. Let us choose the best ones suited for your property.
