Root zone invigoration can revive declining trees and restore their health and beauty. Healthy trees need healthy, fertile, well-aerated soils. Compacted Soils Restrict Root Growth Optimum conditions for plant growth require soil that is relatively pliable and permeable, with plenty of large pore spaces. Unfortunately, many of our suburban landscapes trees grow in soils lacking sufficient […]
Tree Root Structure
Tree root structure is often misunderstood. Roots do not grow deep underground as some mirror image of the tree’s crown. Our urban soils are generally compacted and without the necessary pore space for optimal water and oxygen infiltration. Since roots must respire, they cannot function normally without oxygen. Roots grow where conditions are best, and […]
Soils and Tree Health, Part I
Most people have never given any thought to the dirt that they walk on. But soil is a critical component of our landscapes. It’s a complex mixture of weathered minerals, organic matter, microorganisms, water, and soil air. The majority of tree health problems in Hampton Roads are not caused by insects or disease, they are caused […]