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Something
happened to my tree. What do I do? Most tree problems are caused from
what people do to trees. See below and find out what may have happened to
your tree.
Q: Is there any
financial assistance available to have my trees removed?
A: We
are unaware of any state or federal program to remove trees on individual's
private property. Trees are part of the maintenance of your property,
just like cutting the lawn and painting your house.
Q: New home
construction less than 5 years old?
A: During the construction of a house, construction workers will park underneath the trees, pile work
materials under the trees and mix chemicals underneath the trees. The
damage done to the root system and the soil may not show up for five years.
Q: Do you park you
car underneath the tree?
A:
About three to five passes with a car underneath a tree can compact the
soil to the bulk density of concrete. Most of the tree's root system
is in the top 18 inches of the soil. Tree roots need air and water.
The tree roots do not go way down underneath the ground like they have shown
in drawings 50 years ago.
Q: Have you done any
trenching for utilities or irrigations system?
A: You
should look at a tree as a wine glass on a dinnerplate. The leaves and
branches are the top of the wine glass and the dinnerplate is the tree's
root system. The roots can travel way beyond the canopy of the tree.
Trenching across the tree's root system can be fatal to the tree especially
underneath the canopy of the tree.
Q: Have you used a
weed and feed fertilizer on your lawn?
A: Weed
and feed fertilizer is wonderful for the lawn. The weed killer in the
weed and feed fertilizer will kill broadleaf plants. A tree is a
broadleaf plant. Some weed killers will affect certain tree species
more than others.
Q: Lightening just
struck my tree, will it live?
A: It
depends on how much damage has been done internally to the tree. No
one can tell if your tree will live right after being struck by lightning.
Wait a month to see how your tree is doing.
Q: Some branches on
my tree are dead?
A: If
it occurs in the lower branches it may be the lower branches are being
shaded out by the upper branches. This is a natural occurrence and is how
trees grow. If there is dieback in the upper top branches it may be
something going on in the root system. If dieback occurs on one side of the
tree, the root system may have been damaged on that side or some type of
chemical drift contacted the tree on that side.
Q: My old tree is
developing dead branches?
A:
This may be the start of the death of your tree. Trees do not live
forever. They can decline just like people do. You may need to
have the dead branches removed to prevent them from damaging people and
property when they fall. This is part of the maintenance of the trees
on your property. If you old tree starts to develop too many dead
branches it may be time to have it removed and plant a new tree in its
place. If your old tree is a water oak and it is declining, it may be
time to have it removed. Water oak trees will start to decline when
they reach 50 years of age. They can develop extensive rot internally
and can become a hazard to people and property.
Q: Is my tree getting
unsafe?
A:
You may want to have your tree evaluated by an Arborist. Check our
listing of Arborists or Professional in Tree Care.
Q: I cannot get grass
to grow underneath my tree?
A:
Naturally trees and grass do not really go together. Trees grow in a
forest and grass grows in a prairie. Trees grow up over the grass to
catch the sunlight. Put some mulch underneath the tree. Mulch
will simulate the conditions that the tree would be growing in if it were in
the forest. Trees love mulch. The mulch will break down and
become fertilizer for the tree and help hold in soil moisture. It will
also help control the weeds. Do not pile mulch next to the trunk of
the tree. Leave a one inch mulch free zone next to the trunk.
Mulch piled against the trunk of the tree will encourage rot and insects at
the tree's base. You will have to add new mulch 2 or 3 times a year.
Go out 3 to 4 feet or more with the mulch. You should pile the mulch
no more than 3 to 4 inches deep.
Q: The roots of my
large tree are coming up out of the ground. Can I put dirt on top of
them?
A:
No, the roots are coming up for air. Tree roots need air to live.
You can put mulch on top of the roots. This will protect the roots
from the lawnmower and the roots will be able to breathe.
Q: Can I put flowers
around the base of my tree?
A:
No, remember that a tree's root system is in the top 18 inches of the soil.
I have seen people rototill around the base of the tree and plant flowers.
The rototiller destroyed the tree's root system and killed the tree.
You can end up with beautiful flowers under a dead tree.
Q: My trees has bugs?
A:
You may want to have a Professional Arborist determine if it is necessary to
have your tree sprayed. Many pesticides are registered for restricted
use and require only licensed persons to apply the pesticides. Some
particular insect problems will go away on their own and do not require
spraying. Consult professionals.
Q: My tree has
mushrooms on the tree or on the ground around the tree?
A:
Have a Professional Arborist look and see what is needed.
Q: My tress has
carpenter ants?
A: Go
to
www.unexco.com/carpants.html. This link has some excellent
information.
Q: Is there anything
that can be done to bring back a declining tree?
A: If
the tree has not decline too far. Tree decline can be traced back to soil
compaction. We are aware of only one company in Mississippi that has a
special machine to address this problem. This company has a machine
with probes that shoot 200 to 300 lbs per square inch of compressed air and
powdered fertilizer into the soil. This compressed air fractures the
soil and allows air and water to get to the root system. The
fertilizer gives the tree a little boost which results in a flush of new
growth. Contact Bob Fulgham at (662) 231-0210 for more information.
Q: How do weedeaters and lawnmowers harm my tree?
A: They
can girdle a tree.
Q: My house has fleas
and squirrels?
A:
Call an exterminator!
Check out these links for more information on sick trees.
Professional Tree
Care Vendors
Listing of tree care vendors that are known to the
Mississippi Forestry Commission that can provide advice on tree care.
These vendors must earn continuing education credits every year to remain
certificated.
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