Planting & Pruning

Many urban tree problems actually begin with the roots. If a tree is planted incorrectly, it can suffer from root problems for its entire life. This can lead to stunted growth, reduced vigor, poor response to stress (heat, drought, pests), and shortened lifespan.

When trees are grown in nurseries, they spend their early years in small containers. This makes them easy to transport and plant, but it also creates problems that trees growing naturally in the forest don’t experience. As a tree grows in a pot, its roots often start circling around the inside of the container. Over time, these circling roots can turn into girdling roots, which wrap around the trunk or other roots and squeeze them. This can choke off water and nutrients, weaken the tree, and eventually lead to decline or failure. This is why it’s important to look closely at the root system during planting so that any root dysfunction can be dealt with prior to the tree going into the ground.

Planting depth matters! Planting a tree at the wrong depth can also cause long-term problems. Too deep and the trunk can stay too moist, making it more vulnerable to rot, disease, and girdling roots. Too shallow and the roots can dry out, struggle to establish, and fail to anchor the tree properly. Said another way, simple planting mistakes can affect the tree for decades.

Give your tree the best possible start in life. Having a trained arborist handle the planting ensures the roots are inspected, corrected if needed, and placed at the proper depth. This protects your investment and gives your tree the strongest possible start.