Root Invigoration

It is good to know the truth, but it is better to speak of palm trees.
Arab Proverb

Thanks to the introduction of air excavation tools, new techniques are emerging in arboriculture. Here is one innovative service now being offered by Bartlett Tree Experts - Root Invigoration. (More details to be provided in class)

Some before (summer 2002) and after (soon to be loaded) images of a red maple located near the entrance to the college.

July 9, 2002 Naturally we're experiencing a drought when these images were taken. The turf appears green because I irrigated the area on the day before Bartlett came out to perform the air spade work (as they requested).

After years of excessive mulch being piled at the base of this maple, there is an extensive mat of roots growing around the base.
Air Spade (hose is attached to a large compressor)			After about 15 minutes the base of the tree is exposed.
Air spades can reveal so much more than can be observed by a simple root collar examination.		Roots (large and small) growing near the trunk are removed.	Naturally, every girdling root is removed with two cuts.
Another example of a girdling root that would not have been exposed by a quick root collar examination.	Several wedged shape areas are excavated. A mixture of mulch and manure (from a local hardware store) are mixed with the native soil to a depth of around 6 inches.