Nothing appears amiss with your tree, yet it is putting on a thinner show at the top? After a rain the ground under it is as hard as you would find concrete. You may be put out to see a tree that was in good health start to fade and lose its color for no apparent reason.
Chances are the cause is beneath you. In Central New Jersey few threats to a tree are more readily ignored than soil compaction. We at Princeton Tree Care have been in the business of helping homeowners and companies put an end to such issues since 2013. For a professional opinion on your trees, give us a ring at (609) 853-5572.
Compaction occurs when the soil is packed down to the point where it will not let air, water or nutrients pass. Roots require something loose and open to do well; press the ground together and they will suffocate, the tree with them. Most do not see it coming until there is damage to speak of.
What Is Behind Soil Compaction
For the most part it is a byproduct of ordinary activity and takes time to develop, which explains why one does not notice it right away.
In Mercer, Somerset and Middlesex Counties we come across these causes:
- The same path being walked over and over by people or their pets
- A vehicle, trailer or piece of heavy equipment left in the root zone
- Landscaping or construction in the area of the tree
- Mowing the same spot with heavy machinery
- Saturated, dense soil from inadequate drainage
- An absence of the organic matter and leaf litter that would otherwise keep the soil from packing down
One of these is enough to set things in motion, put two or three together and the problem compounds.
Signs You Should Be Aware Of
A tree will not voice its troubles but it does send signals. One has to learn to interpret them if a tree is to be saved.
Tell tale signs include:
- A canopy not as full as of yesteryear, or leaves thinning out
- Leaves of a smaller size or ones that make an early exit after changing color
- Branches in the upper crown that have died off
- New growth that is stunted
- Rock hard soil unyielding to water
- Water tending to pool rather than be absorbed
- Shallow roots making for the surface
Then there is the fact that a tree can appear to be in order one season and the next take a nosedive. Compaction works its stress in a quiet way so it pays to be on top of it.
The Damage Done
Deprive the roots of what they need to drink and breathe and the tree will have to shed leaves and branches just to get by, unable to put up a fight against disease or pests.
But it is not all bad news. In time compaction can be put right.
Our Part in It
Princeton Tree Care has ISA Certified Arborists on staff who know what the roots and soil of a tree call for. Our plant health care is comprehensive, from nutrition and growth regulation to fungicide programs as the situation warrants.
We will put the soil around your trees under review to see how far the compaction has gone and put forward a plan to put things right. Should the compaction have taken its toll on some limbs, our services can see to that as well.
We are licensed and insured (New Jersey Business Registration NJTC772630) and cover all of Central New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Princeton, Lawrenceville, Hamilton, Hopewell, Bridgewater, East Brunswick and Lower Bucks County.
It is a family company at heart. Superstorm Sandy prompted us to get started to help the community put itself back together and that is still the impetus behind what we do.
Call us at (609) 853-5572. We are here Monday to Friday 7:00am to 5:00pm and on Saturday 8:00am to 4:00pm for free estimates and consultations. Do not put off calling when you see the warning signs; a bit of intervention from our arborists now will ensure the trees you have a fondness for have many more healthy years ahead.