Tree Roots

Tree Roots And Tree Care

Trees make a beautiful addition to any landscape. Indeed, many studies have shown that human beings enjoy more peace of mind when they regularly find themselves in green spaces, of which trees are a vital component. From an aesthetic standpoint, trees are simply an attractive element that provides some movement in what would otherwise be a flat plain of grass and shrubs. And, in the scorching summer sun, trees provide natural shade for people who have no choice but to be outside in the heat, making their time outdoors more comfortable. It is for all these reasons that trees are a very attractive landscaping element across the industrialized world.

However, like any living component of a garden project, trees do need constant maintenance and care to stay both beautiful and, in the case of older, larger trees, safe to be around. This is because a falling tree can seriously injure a human being, sometimes even kill them. Safety issues aside, a falling tree can do thousands of dollars in damages when they do fall, damage that many insurance companies will likely say their policies do not cover. With this in mind, it is important for all people with trees in their landscapes to make sure they’re healthy and safe to be around.

One way to see if a tree is ready to fall over its to examine its roots. Tree roots as essential to trees staying on the ground and damage to the roots can very swiftly cause a tree to topple over, even if the rest of the tree seems perfectly healthy. While there are certainly other ways to examine the health of a tree, exploring the roots is quite essential as many other elements of monitoring a tree’s health can be deceiving.

There are some signs that you tree’s root systems are severely damaged. If the ground and soil beneath the tree seem cracked or raised, the tree is likely in the process of uprooting due to a root disturbance. Fungi growing on or around the tree’s roots or trunk indicates that something is rooting in the tree. Because fungal growths only bloom around decaying wood, the more mushrooms and other fungi growing at the base of a tree, the more the wood in the tree has begun to rot seriously, making its base and with it the entire tree unstable.

Another indicator of unhealthy tree roots lies in the dead branches on the ground, as where there are dead branches in the field, there are usually a large number of others entangled in the canopy. A tree with dying branches is dying at the core. Finally, searching the bottom of the tree for what appears to be sawdust is important. While it may not seem like much, sawdust around a tree that isn’t being generally cut indicates an insect infestation that has infected the tree at the roots. These vermin can quickly eat up the strength in a tree’s root system, causing it to fall.

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