Tree
Preservation

Trees get
stronger with age, don't they?
It seems logical to think that trees
get stronger as they age, but that’s not the case. In fact they usually become more fragile as time goes on. Everything
living is fighting a battle to survive. That’s just the way
life is. All things degrade but, with help, life can be prolonged.
Older
trees have bigger roots, right?
It's true that large trees may have big roots that hold them up
(structure roots) but they do not typically grow deeper. Notice how shallow
(about 18" total) the root
system was on the 100 year old American Elm
that failed in February 2006 (Sylvester Park, Olympia).

But the ones they live on are very small, fine roots.
These delicate
roots are very close to the surface .
The picture below shows how close to the surface tree roots grow.

Tree roots are easily damaged by construction equipment, poor landscaping
practices, even foot traffic.
Simple things like too much watering in the summer can create conditions
that invite disease.

Insects and disease can take their toll.

Significant trees need special care at times to stay healthy.

We
can help!
Inspection
and monitoring Periodic visits checking on tree conditions can help eliminate
problems before they begin.
Lab
testing
Pathology reports can help diagnose root fungus and prescribe
treatments. Our firm works closely with
Ribeiro Plant Lab in
Bainbridge Island, WA.
Root/soil
treatments
At times roots may need special treatments to cure or prevent problems.
It may be necessary to uncover some roots to inspect for problems. A gentle
process called air-spading is used to do this.


Recommended fertilizing and appropriate “medicine” treatments can aid in the recovery and add years to the life of
trees.

Canopy
treatments
Insect and disease treatments may be needed to relieve stress
from leaf/needle pests that attack.

Tree
work like pruning, cabling and mulching can extend the life of trees.
Even though we don't offer these services, we sub-contract in companies that
specialize in these treatments.
Care
for these delicate treasures is available and not as expensive as
one might think. Call us for one-stop-shopping to help your
significant trees live a long and healthy life

Champion English Oak on Washington State Capitol Grounds.
Consulting
Consulting can minimize mistakes made in the care of trees. Simple things like correct watering, plant choice, site preperation,
and a care program can ensure long life for your landscape. We provide qualified consultation backed by nearly fifty years of experience in the field.
Click here and ask for a call from Neal.
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