Tips to help you protect your trees roots

1. Roots need oxygen. Provide oxygen by allowing soil to dry several days between waterings in warm or hot weather
2. Water mature trees deeply, but infrequently during rainless months.
3. Absorbing roots are near the soil surface. Piling soil or changing the grade (as little as 2 to six inches) deprives the roots of oxygen.
4. Learn your tree's watering needs. A birch is more water tolerant, but a Chinese Pistache will have problems with frequent watering.
5. Avoid compaction of soil around trees by people and equipment.
6. Mulch under trees to protect roots, but keep it away from the base of the trunk.
7. Do not add soil around the base of the trunk.
8. Keep flowers and ground covers away from the base of young trees. Absorbing roots are destroyed with digging and flowers will need more water than the tree requires.
9. Minimize planting under the canopies of older trees, especially if they show signs of decline.
10. Any disturbance of tree roots is less stressful during the late fall and winter.
11. Plant new trees with plenty of room for roots from foundations, sidewalks, driveways, swimming pools and the neighbors.
12. Consult with a Certified Arborist before removing roots. We have five on staff and would be happy to send one of them out to give you a free estimate.