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Trees die from damaged root system
Going Green
Going Green: Trees die from damaged root system
We often don't appreciate the trees in our neighborhoods until they're gone, and most often, trees die off too soon because we've done something to the root system.
“Most people don't understand that the most important part of the tree is what's under the ground. It's also the most abused and neglected part of the tree,” said Christopher Sandstrom of Cayuga Tree Service.
Chris said tree roots can easily be damaged if you don't know where they are but there's a way to find out.
“And what we're going to do is use compressed air and a tool called an air spade to move the dirt away. By using the air compressor we do it without damaging the roots. We'll find out what the extent of the root system is so we can advise the contractor on what precautions might be needed to preserve the health of this tree,” said Sandstrom.
The contractor, in this case, is building a new parking lot, but just parking cars can be damaging.
“I've been on sites where people are doing a simple home remodeling project and contractors spend the summer parking in the shade of their mature trees and it's enough to compact the soil to have a serious, detrimental effect on the health of the tree,” said Sandstrom.
Saving trees and helping trees to live as long as possible is not just an aesthetic concern. In addition to helping clean the air of carbon dioxide above ground, the roots are doing important work below ground.
“Well roots are important because they hold the soil. We're losing topsoil in this country at an incredible rate due to bad farming practices and removal of hedgerows allowing wind and water to wash away the soil so root systems are vital for holding the soil,” said Sandstrom.
