Newmarket Arborist Discusses an Under Appreciated Tree Problem: Soil Compaction
People who take good care of their trees prune them, water them during dry weather, and watch for insect, disease, and storm damage. However, a common oversight is preventing soil compaction. Of the different environmental stresses on trees, soil compaction tops the list. This problem is prevalent in urban areas but can affect a tree in any area when its surrounding soil is compressed by motor vehicles, construction equipment, construction vibration, or excessive foot traffic.
How Soil Compaction Affects Your Trees
Soil compaction compresses the soil and reduces the size and quantity of its voids or pores. Without these pores, air and rain water don\’t penetrate the soil very well. This deprives the tree of water and oxygen, which it extracts out of the soil through its roots.
As the compaction worsens, the soil becomes more dense. This retards root growth because root penetration of the hardened soil is too difficult. Trees deprived of sufficient oxygen and water become stunted. Their limited root growth makes them more vulnerable to getting blown down by strong winds.
The Signs of Soil Compaction
If your tree seems stressed in that it has stopped growing, or its top, branch tips, or entire branches are dying, soil compaction could be the culprit. If it\’s hard to penetrate the soil with a shovel, or pushing a screw driver into the soil seems difficult, the soil is compacted. You may notice water pooling that remains for a long time. Another sign is excessive water runoff.
Soil Compaction Prevention
Don\’t park cars under trees and limit foot traffic. When planting trees, place them as far away from roads and driveways as possible. You can prevent foot traffic by fencing off the area around trees or you can apply mulch to the ground around the tree base. Add between two to four inches. The mulch shouldn\’t touch the trunk. Avoid walking under the tree when the ground is wet from rain. Wet soil is more easily compacted.
Extensive soil compaction is difficult to reverse but isn\’t impossible. For advice and help with your soil compaction problem or with any tree related issues, get in touch with an experienced and reputable Newmarket arborist. Contact us today.
