Air Spade Applications
How can this new tool be applied on your property?
1) Vertical Mulching & Trenching
This is performed by air-boring holes in a grid pattern beneath the canopy of a tree. The holes are typically filled with soil amendments and/ or a slow release, organic fertilizer to help improve soil structure and hold moisture for the root system. Vertical mulching can be very beneficial to a tree’s root system and is used quite often to strenghten stressed or declining trees. Where severe soil compaction or fill is present, the tool can be used to cut horizontal trenches in the soil for even greater soil modification.
2) Root Collar Excavation
This is performed to remove excess soil from the top of root flares and around the trunks of trees. Trees are commonly planted too deep or have excess soil covering the root flares resulting in decline, girdling root formation, root rot and even tree death. During this procedure, Seascape Technicians blow excess soil from around the root collar and then evaluate the structure of the root system to determine the appropriate corrective measures needed to enhance root development or repair damage to the tree trunk itself.
3) Root System Identification
No longer do we have to guess where roots extend beneath trees. With this new tool we can now actually trace roots out from the base of a tree. Locating these roots provides us with the necessary information to make the appropriate decisions when considering where to place buildings, curbs, driveways or underground utilities to minimize root damage.
Although they are not the answer to every problem, the Air Spade provides Seascape with new options to significantly enhance the health and vitality of your landscape. Contact your Seascape Arborist for further information on how these tools can benefit your trees and shrubs.