Sick Tree Diagnosis, Root Flare, Pruning, Tree Surgery, Mistletoe Removal by Certified Arborist

Sick Tree Diagnosis

No one knows your trees better than you do as you observe them through the four seasons.  You will be the first to notice unusual changes in your trees.  

Our Sick Tree Diagnosis will help you understand what is happening with your tree(s) and what can be done to alleviate any problems and return them to full health and vigor.

There are many factors that affect a tree's health.

  • Site environment - soils, man made structures, foot and vehicle traffic, pollution, etc
  • Culture practices - root flare exposure and girdling roots, root zone disturbances, planting beds in the root zone
  • Chemical applications - improper fertilization, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides
  • Pathogens
    • Insects
    • Bacterial Infections
    • Fungus
    • Rodents, such as squirrels

All of these factors can have a debilitating affect on the health and vigor of your trees.  A trained and certified Arborist can sort out the root cause of problems with your trees.  With a good root cause analysis, you can treat the real problem, not just the symptoms.

Contact Tree Shepherds today to schedule an appointment with the Arborist.

Root Flare Exposure and Pruning of Girdling Roots

A healthy tree begins with a proper planting depth and continues with maintaining a root flare that is above the soil line.  The root flare area (also called the crown or root collar) is that area where the main stem tissue transitions to root tissue.  The bark on the main stem is corky while the "bark" on the roots is smooth and waxy.  The transition zone (root flare) needs to be dry and free of soil, mulch, and vines. 

As you look around town at well formed and healthy trees, invariably you will discover that the root flare is exposed.  There are always exceptions to the rule.  However, research has shown that trees that have their root flare area uncovered are under much less stress and are much more able to withstand the onslaught of stress factors that may come against it.

Girdling roots are often associated with a root flare that is too deep in the soil.  Small roots form that cross over the larger buttress roots and cause a restriction that can eventually kill a tree.  Pruning the girdling roots relieves this stress and allows a tree to live to full maturity.  Girdling roots often start inthe nursery, escpecially in container grown trees.  The effects of the girdling roots may not become evident for many years after planting. Live Oaks, Pistachios, Cedar Elms, and Magnolias are particularly prone to developing girdling roots, but most tree species can develop them.

Before and after pictures of a Cedar Elm with serious girdling roots.  The tree has grown to a good size but was beginning to show signs of decline in the upper crown.  The root structure was contricted and could no longer support the size that the tree had grown to.  This tree will recover and live many more years as a mature, beautiful shade tree.

These trees have all been planted too deeply and are suffering from this poor cultural practice.  Improper tree planting depth is a problem in the industry and even professionals often plant them too deep.  The thinking goes that the roots need to be down in the soil to survive the heat and drought.  A healthy tree will grow roots where it needs them to mine the soil for moisture and nutrients, but a covered root flare is always a recipe for a short lived and unhealthy tree. 

Tree Shepherds can assess your trees and expose the root flares if necessary.  When the root flares are exposed, girdling roots can be pruned. 

Click here to schedule an appointment with our Arborist, or call 972-317-9598

 

 

Tree Evaluation and Consultation

Tree care starts with a consultation with a certified arborist.  Trees are very complex organisms and are constantly adjusting to their environment, pathogens, pests, and people in a bid to survice the harsh urban environment.  At Tree Shepherds, we consider every client and every tree as unique.  Many firms will offer to prune, fertilize, or "kill the bugs", but tree health is much more complex than performing specific services.

Our consultation service will provide a thorough analysis of every specified tree, verbal consultation, and a written report on our findings and recommendations with a general map of your property if requested.

The consultation is the beginning of good care for your trees.  Often, a client has been told that certain things need to be done for their trees by firms that are selling services.  We start with a consultation and if we don't recommend any services, that is fine with us and saves you money.  We have seen clients with proposals for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars, when they really only need some simple things done or none at all.

If you like doing things yourself, we will recommend to you what to do and give you some advice on how to do it.  We like do-it-yourselfers and encourge people in this if they are inclined in that direction.

Sometimes a consultation results in a number of recommendations that only a tree care company can provide safely and professionally.  We may propose some of these services ourselves, or may recommend you to "best in class" providers.  Either way, with a consulting report in your hand, you are in control of the care of your trees.

Click here to schedule an appointment with an Arborist or call us at 972-317-9598

Arboriculture Consulting

We all take trees and our surrounding environment for granted.  Trees are part of the landscape and we think of them as permanent.  However, they are living, growing organisms that can sometimes develop problems.

  • They outgrow the space we have for them in the urban setting
  • They develop disease problems
  • They are attacked by insects

...and We as people often cause trees the most problems. 

  • We run into them with our vehicles
  • The tree falls on people or things
  • Someone cuts down a tree that they shouldn't have
  • We want to build buildings or structures where trees are growing
  • Trees destroy concrete sidewalks, drives, and sometimes foundations
  • Trees block a view of the vista that we would like to enjoy
  • Trees block sunshine from our landscape and turf plantings

In spite of all of the diffuculties that exist in the relationship between people and trees, we can manage the trees so that they are healthy and bring much joy and pleasure to our lives in the urban environment. 

Tree Shepherds' Consulting Arborist can help you sort out any problems you have with trees that are under your care.  We provide consulting services for any situation involving trees:

  • Sick Tree Diagnosis and Cure
  • Tree Surveys
  • Construction Impact Mitigation
  • Construction Planning and Tree Preservation
  • Tree Monetary Valuation and Appraisal
  • Trespass and Wrongful Tree Removal
  • Litigation and Expert Witness Support

Call us for an appointment when you need a Consulting Arborist.  We are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture and are a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.

972-317-9598 or e-mail scott.geer@treeshepherds.net