Coastal Tree : Plant Health Care

Plant Health Care (Other Services: Pruning, Pest Management, Pre-construction Consulting)

Our plant health care program is a holistic approach to achieving the most optimal growing conditions possible. In many ways, trees are like humans . We know, for instance, that if we take care of ourselves ( diet, exercise, proper amount of sleep, etc.) our bodies are more likely to resist disease with a strong immune system. Basically, trees function the same way. If a tree is a vigorously growing specimen, it naturally can resist disease and insect problems. However, a tree that is exposed to poor growing conditions (drought, over-watering, soil compaction, construction damage, etc.) is much more likely to develop health problems. These examples of poor growing conditions create stress … and we know that stress can kill.

The health of any plant is directly proportional to the amount of growth it can produce. So, our approach to plant health care is quite simple. We try to create the most favorable growing conditions possible. A few examples are listed below:

Turfgrass and Tree Separation

Unfortunately, one of the poorest sites for any tree to be located is within the area of the typical residential lawn. The homeowner may be in love with his lush and weed free carpet of green, but it is an unnatural environment which frequently causes stress and health problems for trees as their root zone is completely covered with grass.

In the forest Ecosystem, the ground cover consists of large amounts of organic matter in varying degrees of decay. This " forest litter" may not be very attractive but it provides an excellent growing medium for a tree’s root system. Its porous texture enables unrestrictive root growth. Forest litter retains moisture well and maintains a stable soil temperature. It is a very efficient insulator of the tree’s root system and protects it from Winter damage and periods of drought.

Turfgrass is a poor substitute for ground cover as it competes with the trees for water, nutrients, and Oxygen. Because the leaves are removed in the Fall, the soil is depleted of much needed organic matter . Porosity of the soil is reduced and compaction results. With soil compaction, the trees’ roots are now restricted in growth. Also, water retention and insulation is reduced. These unfavorable conditions create stress for the tree and make it more susceptible to very serious root diseases .

Given the fact that turfgrass is attractive and has its place in the landscape, it is possible to have it and trees coexist as long as steps are taken to accommodate the needs of the trees.
One example is to protect the tree’s root zone with the use of organic mulching beds ( see photo). The purpose of the beds is to closely resemble the natural forest floor with all of its benefits for optimal growth. Many types of organic mulch are available for ground cover, but it is important to closely match them with the particular requirements of each species of tree.

Soil Conditioning and Root Growth Stimulants

After trees and shrubs have been exposed to such urban problems as construction damage, soil compaction, pH imbalances, low organic matter content and nutrient deficiencies, soil quality inevitably suffers. Obviously, the root systems of plants exposed to these poor growing conditions are stressed and quite often attacked by soil borne pathogens if remedial steps are not taken. It should be noted that very few cures are available to treat a tree once it has contracted a root rotting disease.

In order to restore the soil to that which exists naturally in the forest, biological conditioners such as beneficial mycorrhizae and growth promoting soil bacteria can be pressure injected into the root zone. Mycorrhizae is a beneficial fungus which aids in the absorption of water and nutrients by attaching itself to the root system of the plant. Growth promoting bacteria fixes Nitrogen and solubilizes Phosphorous in order that both of these important elements are available to the tree. Restoring the soil to its forest - like environment, will promote recovery from root damage and improve feeder root development, thereby increasing water and nutrient absorption.

Scorched leaf caused by drought.

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