Updated On: Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Are your trees safe from problems that could lead to property damage or injury? ProMark Tree Service recommends an annual inspection and evaluation of trees on your property.

Our tree service department inspects each part of the tree, identifying broken, hanging or dead branches, investigating signs of decay or cavities within the tree and inspecting the root crown for cuts, decay, uplifting and fungi. We’ll also report on trees that present a hazard to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. These are trees with low branches that block sidewalks and streets, or trees with roots buckling concrete sidewalk slabs.

This type of inspection can help prioritize your tree work by identifying the most hazardous trees, thus reducing your community’s exposure to liability from a tree failure. -PL

Over the years, landscape design has evolved from just planting flowers and trees to creating one-of–a-kind designs using common materials and elements from nature.

A Japanese garden is different from other designs because of its detail-oriented characteristics. The way the moss meets the rock, the angle at which a tree hangs over a path or the shade falls matters when installing a Japanese garden. These gardens encourage visitors to slow down and pay attention to natural forces—as they are intended to be and not as we force them.

On a smaller scale, unique structural elements are being incorporated into residential and commercial properties to spruce them up. Garden projects include ponds with water cascades and bridges, unique pots, tiles or sculptures, and stone or concrete pavers set in custom patterns. PL

Soil damage during construction has become one of the most serious enemies of trees.

Often, a new parcel is graded and scraped off the top 6 inches of soil. This soil often contains tree roots, tearing them and exposing them to pathogens. Toward the end of construction, soil or mulch is often added so the already damaged roots are smothered and can no longer provide the tree with nutrients. Further damage is caused when earth-moving equipment is driven inside the dripline of the tree, compacting the soil so the pore space is reduced or limited. So, how can trees be protected during construction?

Designate and clearly mark trees to be preserved.

To monitor scraping and filling of soil, place an aluminum nail in the tree’s trunk 36 inches above the existing grade.

Limit stockpiling of soil under the dripline of marked trees to no more than four days. PL

With the infusion of garden magazines and catalogs, consumers are more aware of planting possibilities—they’re stretching their imaginations. It is essential, however, to be aware of costs and maintenance requirements, including fertilizing and watering, which are necessary for the plants.

Perennial Gardens. Perennials only have a color display for a limited period of time. But, a mix of perennials and annuals with bloom times that overlap makes for a lively full summer display. Keep in mind perennials need some care. From time to time it will be necessary to dead head some of these plants. Also, as years pass it becomes necessary to assess some plants for division and separation as plants can begin to overwhelm their own planting area or each other.

Container Creations. Container plantings allow flexibility; you can add color interest to areas where you don’t have a flowerbed. Containers can be used at entrances to buildings, in courtyards or around pool complexes. Because the roots are above ground, containers dry out quickly and need to be watered generously.

Walking Paths. For troublesome, high-traffic areas, a perennial that is tolerant to foot tampering can be installed between stones or in patio block sand in walkways. These plants are low-growing and compact with small leaves, and include thyme and sedum. -PL

Water meters are a powerful tool for monitoring water use. Knowing what quantities of water are being delivered to the landscape during a certain time frame allows you to detect leaks, measure effectiveness and schedule improvements. And as the prospect of accountability for outdoor water use increases, so too will metering requirements. The regulatory side of water conservation in the U.S. is increasingly requiring that water use be metered. So, don’t look past the benefits of metering—from billing and documenting water use to leak detection. PL

Soil or mulch against the trunk and root collar of trees often leads to their decline and premature failure. The soil holds water that, when in contact with the trunk bark, can lead to deterioration in the bark and infection by fungi or insects. Large amounts of soil can actually girdle the tree by limiting normal radial growth.

A good tree service contractor can remedy this problem with root collar excavation--a relatively new yet important service. Root collar excavations are performed using high-pressure air, a much faster, cleaner and less damaging method than digging. Once the buttress roots are exposed, potential girdling roots are removed. The collar is then examined for insect infestation, disease and root decay.

Root collar excavation can greatly increase the life expectancy of trees. It can also reverse the decline seen in root collar buried trees, as long as the original root system is intact and as long as disease or insects have not caused major damage.  PL