The Critical Nature of Root and Soil health

Trees are truly a wonder of our natural world. Their ability to produce a rigid structure (wood) combined with a sophisticated water transport system allows them to attain their astonishing heights. The tallest tree ever recorded was a Douglas fir tree called the “Noon Sack Giant” and was measured at an incredible 465 feet tall! That is 160 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty and 15 feet taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza!

While we justifiably marvel at the above ground portions of these biological wonders of nature, this only accounts for 50 to 65% of a tree’s total biomass. The below ground portion of a tree, its root system, accounts for the remaining 35 to 50% of its biomass. The root system, while not as glamorous as its above ground counterpart, is every bit as grand and critical to tree health.
A great example of root health importance is the tallest living tree in the world, a coastal redwood named “Hyperion” towering at 380 feet tall. Tourist activity has led to soil compaction and significant damage to its root system followed by subsequent tree decline. Knowing root health is so critical to tree health, as of 2022 the forest service has restricted all future access to this tree. Anyone caught even trying to find Hyperion, could end up with a $5000 fine and 6 months in jail!

Urban soil is mostly compacted, with low organic matter and unnatural structure. These factors can result in a tremendous amount of tree stress. Even trees with healthy looking canopies are likely stressed by these factors on some level. That said, we are not left helpless. New studies continue to offer us better ways to care for the root health of our trees. Wachtel Tree Science offers soil testing to help reveal critical information regarding your soil. From there we can recommend soil treatments or soil remediation to try and improve soil quality and manage root health for that special tree or trees in your yard. Examples include:

• Root zone enhancement – helps to break up soil compaction, improve soil quality, and increase the microbiology in a tree’s critical root zone.
• Compost Tea and Root Biostimulants – can help to improve soil biology and enhance fine root development respectively.
• Systemic Fungicide with Root Biostimulants – helps suppress root decay fungi while improving root development and resistance to pathogens.
• Fertilizer with Root Biostimulants and Micronutrients with Root Biostimulants – can help make limiting nutrients more available while improving root development.

If you have concerns about root or soil health around your favorite tree, reach out to your Wachtel Tree Science ISA Certified Arborist! We are here for you!