Important Tree Root Protection Tips for Homeowners

Tree root systems are not usually visible above ground, making it easy to forget about them. However, they incredibly vital to a tree’s overall health. They are the nutrient and water distribution system for a tree, which helps the tree growth strong and live long. Without a strong root system, a tree is susceptible to all kinds of problems, including leaning, toppling, pest infestation, disease, and more.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about caring for your tree’s root system, and who to trust for professional tree care advice and service.

Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770

Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770

Root Damage

The most common culprits behind root damage are lawn mowers, construction work, pests, and unstable soil conditions. However, there are several more ways a root system can ensure stress and damage. In order to protect a tree’s root system, you must stay on top of all the proper tree care practices.

Here are some great tips to get you started on the right path:

Fortifying Roots

Annually, you want to revitalize your tree’s root system. You can do this by hand using a hand cultivator tool to gently loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. This is a great way to alleviate soil compaction and let in more water and air to the roots.

Watering

Trees that are newly-planted, young, or under some sort of duress (i.e. illness, pest infestation, etc.) should be watered often. Keep in mind, however, that too much water is just as damaging as too little. Before each watering, use your fingers to test the moisture level of the top 2 inches of soil. If it is still moist to the touch, you can hold off one more day before watering your tree again. If it is dry, it needs more water.

Mulching

Mulch is incredible important for tree care. Not only does it protect roots from sun damage, wildlife interference, and soil compaction, it also helps to retain moisture and add valuable organic matter to the soil. Keep your mulch at least 6 inches away from the trunk, but be sure to add 2 to 4 inches of depth.

Drip Lines

Take into consideration the tree’s drip line. This is where the edge of the canopy extends, and forms a circle around the tree. This area should be moist to the touch to ensure the roots are getting enough water.

Inspections

When there is nothing more to do for your tree, be sure that you are implementing regular inspections to look for signs of trouble. Check for pest infestations, dry soil, damaged bark, missing foliage, discolorations, fungal growth, and anything else that indicates the tree is not as healthy as it should be.

Fishers Tree Service

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional and affordable Fishers tree service to keep your trees healthy all season long. We are licensed and insured tree care specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. We provide residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in Fishers. Request a free estimate or information about our tree service coupons, today!

Winter Tree Damages and Diseases

There are several factors that influence the degree or likelihood of damage and disease to trees in the winter. These include variables like tree species, location, dormancy, temperatures, precipitation, and more. Many assume that cold temperatures will kill a tree, but there are more serious threats in the winter than that. In fact, it’s not cold weather that harms a tree, but rather extreme fluctuations in temperatures. A tree must acclimate slowly to freezing cold temperatures in order to survive them once they arrive; and they can only do so if the temperatures gradually decrease as the fall ends and winter begins. Sudden or extreme changes in climate can de-acclimate trees, leaving them vulnerable to rapid freeze and more. You can learn more about that, as well as, other common tree damages and diseases that occur during the winter season, when you continue reading.

Frost Cracks

Frost cracks, also referred to as radial shakes, affect a tree’s bark and trunk in the wintertime. These are long, vertical cracks, both deep and shallow, that may appear in the trunk of a vulnerable tree after temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This is generally caused by sudden or extreme drops in temperature, and most commonly occurs on the South or Southwest side of trees. Once they appear, they usually come back every winter season. Tree that are more vulnerable to frost cracks include Red Maples, Walnut trees, Willow trees, and Oak trees.

Sunscald

Since trees experience the most temperature fluctuations on their South and Southwest side, they are also susceptible to a condition called sunscald. It appears as an elongated canker growth, and generally tends to affect thin-barked trees like Willows, White Pines, Beeches, and Maples. The cause is sudden over-exposure to direct sun. Additional signs of sunscald include lack of foliage, stem dieback, and stunted growth.

Winterburn

Similar to sunscald, winterburn is another seasonal condition that can greatly injure trees. But rather than mostly affecting the tree’s bark, it affects the foliage. Winterburn will cause leaves to appear burnt at the tips, curl up, and brown. It is common to see winterburn on trees like evergreens, Hemlocks, and pines, but also on Rhododendrons and Boxwoods. Loss of water through leaf transpiration is a common cause of winterburn.

Branch and Limb Breakages

Frozen ice and snow accumulation can cause tree branches to bend, snap, break, splinter, and fall. For this reason, it is important to make sure there is nothing kept beneath any tree covered in an excessive amount of heavy snow or ice. Broken limbs and branches are a common sight during winters with high precipitation. Use a broom to lightly release heavy snow accumulation from trees on your property to reduce the chances of limbs breaking.

Salt Damage

Salt is a necessity in many communities in terms of snow/ice removal and control. But it comes with its drawbacks. Not only does salt leave unsightly stains and marks on fabric like car mats and pant legs, and it also causes tree damage if improperly managed. Salt can linger in the soil and cause root damage, while aerial deposits damage the tree’s branches and limbs. But the damage from salt is not evident until spring and summer. Signs and symptoms include dead turf areas, branch dieback, leaf discoloration, and leaf scorch.

Keep Your Eye Out For Our Next Month’s Blog to Learn How to Reduce Winter Tree Damages Like These!

Tree Service Fishers

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Tree Service Fishers Indiana 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for prompt and professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified arborists with more than two decades of experience in the industry. We offer a wide range of tree care services, including tree removal, transplanting, trimming, pruning, shaping, topping, stump grinding, lot clearing, tree disease treatment, and more. We offer both residential and commercial tree service at the most competitive prices in town! Call 317-537-9770 today for affordable, high-quality tree removal services in Fishers, IN.