Promote Root Growth Even When Root Space is Restricted
If your trees are dying it might be because there is not enough
room for root growth. Tree roots need room to grow. For example, did you know
that a 20″ tree needs 1,200 cubic feet of soil to thrive. When there isn’t
room the tree’s growth becomes stunted. Trees without ample space begin to die.
Limited Space Can be a Problem in Urban Areas
Being able to establish this much space underground is a huge
challenge in urban areas. Even when enough space is available, the soil
conditions might still not be able to support root growth. If the necessary
essential conditions are not present, then root growth can’t happen and the
space is wasted.
Give Tree Roots Oxygen
Optimizing soil conditions in a very specific for tree
roots, especially in urban areas. Providing oxygen to soil in spaces that would
not have a natural air exchange will expand the effective root zone volume,
improve the soil oxygenation and it is an efficient way to water your trees
that results in larger tree growth.
A 4’x 4’ sidewalk tree well requires 2,304sq inches of
surface area, and an estimated 8” of oxygenated soil will provide 18,430 cubic
inches of usable root growth volume. If you install four aeration tubes it will
displace 509 cubic inches of soil and add 6,000 cubic inches of oxygen rich
root growth space.
Establishing urban trees requires you design the underground
space in the region you want to plant and grow your trees.
Delivering oxygen when the ground space is compacted is a common
problem. Even when there is space available for root growth, it won’t occur
because the deeper soil conditions will not allow it. But rather, the only
space favorable for root growth is near the surface and so the intended space
is wasted.
How to Grow Healthy Trees When Space is Limited
You need to design the space for root growth. Placing root
aeration tubes in the ground achieves that task. As oxygen is delivered to
deeper soil, it enhances the soil, which leads to an expanded root mass. Deeper
roots are more resistant to stress resulting from drought and extreme
temperatures. When the designated space is filled with roots you have healthier
trees.