Our offer is simple:
WITH EVERY PAID DEEP ROOT TREATMENT, WE WILL APPLY COMPOST TEA TO 200 SF OF LANDSCAPING AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.
Our friend, and experienced arborist, Kevin Stitt, has worked with us for several years now. Some of the oak trees on our property would have been fire wood by now if it wasn't for Kevin. Others we thought would surely not make it through the drought, are now thriving.
When I asked Kevin recently what he felt was important to consider at this time of year, he thoughtfully replied: "We were blessed with a decent amount of rain last winter, even though alot of it came at once and did more harm than good, in some cases. There was lots of fruit and nut production too. Follow through is essential and NOW is the time." So I asked Kevin if he would elaborate in a short article. I have included it below. We both hope you will take Kevin's advice. If only once you could see the smile on his face when he looks at the oaks he treated for us, only 2 times, you would understand...thank you Kevin!
Is the health of your tree related to its soil?
by Kevin Stitt
Have you ever thought about it?
Obviously, the individual plant genetics...basically the plants abilities to adapt various weather conditions, determines the plant’s survival zones.
We love to, given the opportunity, and being creatures of comfort, simply move indoors to a AC/heated vehicle or building to keep cool or warm. Trees, on the other hand, must remain in place, in unbearable heat or freezing temperatures. All they have to hang onto is every inch of soil directly around their live "root zone."
While we cannot control the weather, we can assist the soil life in the plant root zone. Field trials and my personal experience bear witness to increased growth, restorative plant health and reduced re-plants! For the tree, in your landscape, the soil surrounding its base is everything!
Get to the root of the matter. Microscopic soil life lives around the roots, some attached to the root -- all working under a plant’s food release command, to change soil pH immediately around the root in favor of a plant’s seasonal uptake needs. Soil microbes have the digestive enzymes that plants don’t have. Soil microbes store fertilizer inside their tiny bodies. A plant releases food through its roots into the soil to arouse a predator/prey reaction that releases the stored fertilizer on time and in the amounts plant needs.
Crazy as it sounds, the microscopic life in the top six to eight inches of healthy soil, outnumber what we are able to see above ground. Water passing through those 6-8 inches of live soil is purified. Our freshwater supply depends on microscopic soil life in plant root zones.
Soil bacteria is like glue, and when combined with sand, silt, clay and organic matter, creates soil aggregates. Water retention increases and pore spaces create more room for root growth.
Many things in nature that appear to be simple are quite complex. The more we learn about the ecosystem around us, the more aware we become of the detrimental effects excess fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides have on this amazing system, and on human and animal health.
So when is a good time to treat the deep root zone of your trees? Now! Be proactive! Increase your soil microbe population! Disturbances, caused by weather or human activity, has caused them to diminish. The process of fruit production itself through the season has used up much of the tree's energy. This energy must be replenished for next year's production. While your trees are resting above ground, there should be alot of activity below ground during the winter getting ready for Spring and a new season of nutritious food production. Why wait till your tree can not get what needs from the soil and tree has disease or insect issues. Let's talk tree health soon.