TREE HEALTH CARE – Natural Resource Consulting Inc

Tree Evaluations

This is step one to a healthier tree. This is where we evaluate and provide recommendations for your tree. This is proactive tree care and the most cost-effective way to maintain your tree and maximize its longevity.

Fungicide Application

Root rot is caused by one of many fungi and is one of the largest issues facing urban trees. Many times, root rot can lead to a very slow death. Limbs die and foliage begins to thin. This can lead to tree mortality, and can lead to total root failure resulting in the entire tree falling over.

Insecticide Treatment

Often, when detected early, insects can be controlled. Healthy trees often do not require insecticide treatments. Cultural practices (keeping your trees healthy) are the best defense against insects; however, insect populations can explode and, in some cases, bring about tree mortality.

Fertilization

Fertilization can be applied by broadcasting on the soil, injecting into the soil, or injecting directly into the tree itself. The time of year is important when determining the right fertilizer mix for your tree. It is also important to take soil samples to make certain of exact fertilization needs.

Soil Sample – Always important when starting a tree health care regimen that includes fertilization and soil amendments.

Root Invigoration

In the urban environment, trees suffer from soil compaction. When soil becomes compacted it loses its ability to absorb water and nutrients. Compacted soil is also depleted of oxygen which is important for tree roots to function properly. Root invigoration is a process where we use specialized equipment to restore oxygen levels in the soil by creating air space. This also makes the soil more absorbent so that it can better absorb water and nutrients and retain water.

Root Collar Excavation

Removing excess soil from around the trunk of the tree. Excess soil can occur naturally and is also caused by the modern practice of volcano mulching – when mulch is piled several inches on the tree’s trunk. Excess soil leads to trees struggling to move nutrients up and down the tree, inhibiting growth and leading to basal decay. All can lead to eventual tree mortality, and basal decay can result in immediate tree failure (tree falling over without warning.).

Root Barrier Installation

Installed to redirect root growth away from the places we live, such as patios, driveways, walkways, and even house foundations. Although we love trees, sometimes they encroach on our living spaces.

Root Pruning

Cutting roots with a sharp tool/saw. When roots are cut and not ripped, as often they are during construction, new root growth is propagated from where the cuts are made. Root Pruning is performed prior to Root Barrier Installation, and when trenching or other work is necessary within the root zone or any time roots within the root zone need to be impacted.

Tree Growth Regulators

This is a hormone injected into the soil, and it restricts the growth of the shoots of a tree. It can be used to restrict growth on trees growing near houses and power lines. The tree takes the energy normally spent on shoot growth and reallocates the energy to its root system and other areas of the tree. Thus, the tree can recover faster from injury, defend itself better against insects and disease, which improves overall tree health.

Soil Amendments

Added to the soil to rejuvenate the soil. Soil health is paramount to tree health. Often urban soils not only lack nutrients but also pH can be out of balance, and water retention very poor. The use of the right amendments to the soil can make a big difference in tree health and longevity. See Soil Sample.

Tree Protection During Construction

Ensuring your trees are as healthy or healthier after construction is completed. There is a term we use in “Tree Protection” and that term is “Death Spiral.” Because trees are so resilient, they often don’t show signs of decline until several years after construction has been completed. The spiral starts with a dead branch or two one year, the next year a few more branches (this is usually the point where a homeowner notices), then most of the tree has died back, foliage is sparse, and often the tree is beyond revitalizing. Protecting not just the tree but the soil around the tree is important. Grade changes and other changes to the site can have a big impact on a tree’s health and longevity.

Tree Risk Assessments

Evaluating trees for their risk potential. Trees are assessed in two areas Tree Health and Structural Integrity. Sometimes a tree may appear healthy and may be healthy, but the tree possesses a major structural problem such as a large cavity or areas of rot and decay. Identifying these problems and understanding the consequences if this structural problem leads to tree failure. Failure could be the entire tree falling or it could be a limb that falls.

Tree Health Care Services