Smart Strategies for Tree Planting, Trimming and Maintenance

My name is Georgia, and I love to write. As an avid gardener, I have spent hours writing about gardening, but in this space, I wanted to turn my attention to trees in particular. I recently added a number of fruit trees to my garden, and I have old oaks in front of my house which have suffered and survived through a range of mishaps. If you want to learn ideas for taking better care of your trees, you have stumbled onto the right blog. Welcome to this space, please explore and share this blog with your friends if they inspire you.

What You Should Do About Old Tree Roots

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If you have a mature tree in your yard, you should do everything you can to look after it and ensure that it can help to protect the environment and beautify your property. However, sometimes a disease can take over, or your tree may become badly damaged during a major storm. In this case, you may have no choice but to get rid of it, but what should you do about the roots? Will they automatically die off, or could they cause you further issues?

Fast or Slow

The first thing to remember is that different species of trees will have different growth and development patterns. Some species will grow particularly quickly while others will not, and you need to talk with your arborist to see what you're dealing with. In general, if you have a species known for fast growth, you need to pay particular attention to the root network once you have chopped the actual tree down. In some cases, the remaining root network will retain enough nutrients to continue growing in any case. They may begin to sprout, and you might notice new growth in a number of areas close to where the original tree stood. This can be very inconsistent and, if left to get out of hand, could cause more problems than you had before.

Things to Consider

Some people may choose to leave the stump and root network in place, and it is a matter of personal choice. However, a decaying stump can harbour bacteria or invasive insects. This could be a goldmine for certain types of termites, and it's not a good idea to encourage their presence close to your home.

Herbicide Treatment

Many people in your situation will try to get rid of the stump and roots by using chemicals or herbicides. This will need to be injected into the stump to travel down into the root network and gradually kill it off. In the meantime, you may be able to paint any visible roots or the stump with the herbicide so you discourage any new sprouts.

Grinding Removal

Alternatively, you could ask your tree removal expert to grind the existing stump. This will get rid of everything above ground and some of the root network as well. They'll also take away the grindings once work is complete. After all, it's not a good idea to use this as compost as you might encourage new and unwanted growth in unexpected places.

Expert Advice

Before you get ready to cut down your problematic tree, talk with a removal professional. They'll advise you on what to do with the root network based on the type of tree in question and best practices. For more information, contact a company like True Blue Tree and Stump Removal.

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17 May 2022