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Re: [PRIMROSES] PUTTING YOUR TREE TO BED/COLUMBUS/NEW YEAR

Cindy,

Changing of the soil grade around mature trees can KILL your trees. The
International Society of Arboriculture and the National Arborist
Association both recommend no more than a 1 to 2 inch change in grade per
year. Any more than this can cause tree roots to die from lack of oxygen.
By changing the grade over a period of years you allow the tree roots to
grow upward into soil with plenty of air. Of course these roots will also
compete with the plants you want to grow.

In some cases it will take years for the symptoms of root zome damage to
show.

1) The ends of crown limbs will die, usually on the side of the tree where
the roots are damaged.
2) Whole large limbs will die in the crown of the tree.
3) Early leaf fall.
4) Thin leaf canopy.
5) Sometimes the whole tree dies over winter.

In general trees that grow in low wet areas can take more grade change
because they are adapted to soils low in oxygen. Maples make out well. Many
Oaks do not do well with grade changes.

It makes a big difference what you use to change your grade. Soil air
movement being the important factor.

There are several underground systems you can use to supply air to the tree
roots if you are going to have large grade changes. These systems work well
but can be a lot of work and expense. Wells, gravel and perforated PVC pipe
are three types of systems.

In the "Urban Forest" more trees die from construction damage than insects
and disease combined.

A mature tree has achieved a balance between growth, energy reserves, soil
nutrients, water, light, wind exposure, soil air and soil structure. Many
trees will suffer when these balances are changed. Trees being living
systems, it is hard to say just how much change each individual can take.

Most of the trees I work with are large mature native trees. They usually
do not fare very well with root damage.

The International Society of Arboriculture can be found at-
http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/

A great book is  "A New Tree Biology" by Alex Shigo. Dr. Shigo is also a
great speaker.

I stand in the shadows of tree researchers like Dr. Shigo. I have far to
go.

Dan Nelson
ISA Certified Arborist  (OK, so it's really "certifiable arborist")
Pen-Del # 183
Bridgeville DE
zone 7, 15*F tonight
----------
> From: Cidjohnson <Cidjohnson@AOL.COM>
> To: PRIMROSES@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
> Subject: Re: [PRIMROSES] PUTTING YOUR TREE TO BED/COLUMBUS/NEW YEAR
> Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 8:35 PM
>
> In a message dated 97-12-31 19:48:47 EST, you write:
>
> << It did take it
>  three or more years to die. Don't know how old it was, but it was a big
>  tree when we moved here 30 some years ago. Good luck - - - Nancy
>   >>
>
> Hi Nancy
>
> Was your gentle giant an oak?  If so, what kind?  What were the first
symptoms
> that something was wrong?  Could it have been an old, declining tree
already
> and its demise was just hastened?  (These kinds of stories make me
cringe.
> Maybe I'm too attached to my trees. :-))   What part of the country do
you
> live in?  I can't remember if you already mentioned it.
>
> Thanks,
> Cindy Johnson
> White Bear Lake, MN
> zone 4a
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