So how does one define what characterizes a tree as healthy? Should an actively growing and expanding tree be enough of a visual to classify it as being healthy? How about leaf color and thickness or what if we were to evaluate a tree’s seed production? Would a tree that produces heavy loads of seeds lead us to believe it is preparing to die because of the stress it has been recently enduring?
Classifying a tree as being perfectly healthy can be a daunting task however several indicators should be thoroughly checked so you know what its needs are.
A healthy tree will have a very strong leaf color and texture. It will also have a great branch formation that is uniform and devoid of cankerous limbs. Check the base of the tree for any signs of loose bark, oozing, or rotting. Observe how the tree’s root flares out and away. Not all trees have root flares that are seen at ground level however if you can see some flares sweeping out then it should be consistent around the base but if one side of the tree’s flares isn’t found there could be a high probability that this tree has a girdling root.
A healthy tree will also present a good flowering show and fall color display and depending on how happy it is in its current location the length of the flowering show and fall color display can signal how much healthier or weaker it is compared to the other same species in your neighborhood.
Trees will tend to seed in cycles. You may have two Spruce trees seeding lightly and one Spruce seeding extremely heavy. They all go through cycles with some sharing the same timeline while others right next to each other on their own system. The critical observation when it comes to seed production is to identify the tree(s) that seed very heavily for 3-5 years. This would indicate that they are not happy with their location, insect or disease problems, or they are slowly declining.
So how do you ensure your trees stay healthy in an urban environment that is overwhelmingly deficient in soil sustainability? Does constant fertilization keep the tree fed enough where you just let the tree decide what it is lacking and allow it to take in only the elements it needs for its sustainability? We at StumpBustersLLC do not believe in deep root feeding just for the sake of deep root feeding. In the past, the theory was to allow time for the tree to respond, and later a technician would explain that maybe the tree needs more or maybe it didn’t uptake as well as it should have.
Times have changed and highly educated specialists know how to induce the right response using the right products along with the correct methods. The next time your tree company recommends a deep root feeding ask them what specific responses you can expect to see. Causing excess growth will not qualify as producing a healthy tree anymore. In many cases, high doses of quick-release Nitrogen can generate negative results such as leaf burns, weak limb unions caused by rapid growth, and an unbalanced canopy-to-root growth ratio that can lead to severe wind damage. Have you seen trees in your neighborhood that recently split or toppled because they were forced to rapidly grow and were neglected the proper trimming?
Slow growth with strong cell structure in the roots, branches, and leaves or needles is what helps make and define a healthy tree.
If you receive a quote for deep root feeding and it is very inexpensive, there’s a high probability the product used will be a quick-release Nitrogen. Many contractors use this because uninformed clients see only growth and believe they got their money’s worth. They may intend on using a lawn fertilizer instead of a basic tree fertilizer. High-quality tree fertilizers are much more expensive than they were 5 years ago. Ask your service provider for more information about the products they are using. Make them as specific as possible by requesting the percentage of slow-release, the amount of micro and macronutrients as well as how much volume they use to perform the service.
