Deep Root Tree Fertilization

-Theodore Roosevelt

Tree Facts:

We consider it important to nurture your trees by providing the services necessary to preserve their health. Pruning, deep root fertilization and pest control are critical.

About Your Tree Roots

Tree roots perform many functions. The Primary roots grow down into the soil to provide the anchor to hold the tree upright. Secondary roots branch off and extend radially and horizontally and form the basis of the moisture and nutrient gathering system for the tree. Tertiary roots are the ephemeral absorbing roots eventually branch off into clusters of Rootlets, or fine hair like feeder roots. It is these feeder roots, in conjunction with natural mycorrhizial fungi in the soil that break down the nutrients found in the soil, and begin to transport them with the tree system.

Nurturing Your Trees

Think about it, trees just like us humans need a balanced nutrient mix for proper growth and survival. Trees, in a natural setting, are fed by the rich blanket of humus on the forest floor. However, in our cities --urban landscaped environment, fertilizer is often needed to take the place of this natural food.

Additionally, our urban landscape imposes extra stresses on trees that are not a concern in the forest setting. This stress in the form of compacted soils, air pollution, road salts, poor drainage, and competition with turfgrasses can impair the health and ultimately the growth of a tree. Without realizing it, our urban stressed trees are becoming more and more susceptible to infestation by insects and disease, further compounding the restricted grow.

Healthy trees can better fight environmental changes, drought, insect attacks, diseases, severe weather, and stress. With all this in mind, one of the best ways we can help our trees grow healthier and to build resistance to pest infestation, is to ensure they receive a proper supply of nutrients.

Deep Root Fertilizer Injection

Again, trees located in urban environments are negatively impacted by what we consider normal changes in urban life such as new construction, irrigation, or pollution. This reason alone is enough to recommend deep root fertilization for most trees in urban settings. Urban trees react to environmental stress. A tree can be struggling for a long time before you begin to see signs of trouble. During the past two years we have had severe drought conditions.

This phenomenon has created very stressful situations for trees, ornamentals and ground covers. The stress of the drought has made the plants much more susceptible to the insect conditions and enables the insect population to do more damage than would normally occur. To protect your plants, this is the time to provide treatment through deep root injection.

Deep Root Fertilizer Injection: This is the most effective method to fertilize trees. This process injects a water and fertilizer mixture under high pressure 8 to 10 inches below the soil surface, right where the feeder roots are. The injections are placed in a grid pattern in and around the tree’s drip line.

There are many advantages to fertilizing this way. The high pressure injection forces the water fertilizer mix throughout the root zone, which not only feeds all the roots, but also reduces soil compaction and encourages additional root zone aeration. Depending upon your plant varieties, and their general state of health, this deep root injection fertilizer technique may be suggested at various times throughout the season, although spring and fall are generally the best times of the season.

Even though your trees and shrubs may appear to “look healthy” today, call us for an analysis and our recommendations on a Deep Root Fertilization program to help keep them healthy and strong for years to come.

Micro Injections

There's a reason why the words insect and infect are the same except one letter. Insects are everywhere. They infect our homes, offices, flower gardens and even our trees.

Speaking of infecting trees, the number of species of insects that make their home in trees is uncountable. But wait, not all insects are considered bad. Ladybugs, for example, eat other insects. These are considered good insects.

However, if your tree is infected by the wrong insect it could mean certain death. Bad insects are those that feed off and/or lay eggs in the tree for example, Webworms. You know those pesky web sacks you see in a lot of pecans this year. Although not all bad insects are fatal, they may cause an otherwise beautiful shade tree to become disfigured.

There are three basic types of insects: chewing, sucking and boring. The first two usually only cause aesthetic damage. Borers, on the other hand, will lead to certain death if they are not tended to. The part of the tree borers feed off of is the vascular tissue. If they are allowed to feed for too
long, the tree will not have enough water and sugar conducting tissue left to support itself.

Diagnosing insect problems may take a skilled eye. If you think your trees have an insect problem or if you are not familiar with insect signs consider having an arborist look at your trees. You will probably need him to apply the treatment anyway.

So how are insects treated? In the past, broadcast spraying with high-pressure equipment has been the method of choice. There are many problems with this method. Number one, it is inefficient; studies have shown that about 7% of the chemical sprayed is actually available to attack the insect.

Mostly due to drift, evaporation and other related problems. Second, the insecticide attacks beneficial insects as well as detrimental ones. Third, most sprays only give a four-week residual effect. Last but not least, broadcast spraying introduces harmful chemicals into the environment. New technology has provided us with much better alternatives.

MICRO-INJECTIONS are the new way to handle many insect problems. With this method a closed system is made between the tree and the pesticide. No harmful chemicals in the environment, and only insects feeding on the tree are affected. The injection units are applied by drilling a small hole in the trunk of the tree, approximately 6 in. from the ground, and inserting a tube. It works just like an IV does on people. If trees are only treated once every several years the wounds will have plenty of time
to heal and are not a problem.

Another method is injecting high concentration, low volume insecticide directly into the soil. The tree then absorbs the insecticide through its roots and distributes it evenly through out the tree. Because a low volume is applied, less leaching occurs resulting in minimal environmental exposure. One application at the beginning of spring will give season long control. Again, only insects feeding on the tree are affected. One example of an insect best treated with soil injection is tent worms.

We are sensitive to our environment: We use environmentally friendly chemicals for tree health care and strictly follow all usage guidelines.