Root Pruning For Trees Near Sidewalks And Foundations In Beaverton
Trees are a beautiful part of nature. Having trees on your property is a blessing, and planting and growing trees is an activity that can be rewarding.
However, with any living thing, there can be too much of a good thing. When trees grow too big, they can become a liability.
Trees that grow close to sidewalks or buildings can cause problems. Their roots can break up the cement or soil underneath, which in turn damages the tree or the building above it.
Too many tall trees can also create issues with sunlight reaching the ground below. This inhibits growth of other plants and crops and may even harm them.
Removing trees in these situations is not something anyone wants to do, but it may be necessary for the safety of your property and your neighbors’ properties.
Why is root pruning necessary?
When trees grow, they need to expand into new spaces to accommodate their growth. This happens in two ways: upward and outward.
Trees grow outward by expanding the roots and also by growing new roots further away from the tree’s center. This is important for trees as it allows them to anchor themselves in the ground while also growing tall and strong.
When trees grow close to buildings or sidewalks, they run the risk of damaging the structure. Trees with expansive roots can pull away soil which then can lead to structural issues.
Additionally, when trees grow too tall, they may need to be trimmed down. If this is not done properly, the tree can die or have long-term health issues. Root pruning helps ensure that there are no issues after tree trimming.
What happens if I don't root prune?
If you do not root prune trees, they will continue to grow as they please. As trees grow, their roots grow as well.
Eventually, the tree reaches a point where its roots reach the outside world: underground water sources, other plants and trees, and your property lines.
When this happens, the tree is at risk of dehydration and death. This is particularly dangerous during dry seasons or if there is a drought.
Undisputedly, the best time to root prune a tree is before it becomes an issue. By doing this, you are preventing potential safety hazards and landscaping damages in the future.
If you have noticed new growth or drop-off in leaves on your tree, or notice woodpeckers constantly visiting it, then you may need to have a professional look at the roots.
Who should perform the root pruning?
Any property owner can have their tree’s roots pruned, but it is recommended that a professional arborist performs the service. Professionals have the education and experience needed to perform a quality root pruning.
Arborists know how to design a pruning plan that removes a tree’s danger branches while maintaining its health. If you are not a professional arborist, you may end up damaging your tree by over-pruning.
Furthermore, professionals have the necessary equipment to complete the job safely and efficiently. They also know how to handle trees of different species and sizes, which is important for this service.
Beaverton Tree Service provides both emergency and regular tree care services.
What are the risks of root pruning?
Root pruning can cause trees to undergo what’s called transplant stress. When a tree is moved from one place to another, or when parts of the tree are removed, it experiences stress.
This can be experienced when your tree is planted, if it is planted in a different kind of soil or if it is trimmed. All of these things can potentially cause transplant stress in your tree.
When you trim roots, this limits the amount of water and nutrients that the tree receives. If you remove some of the roots completely, then there is no longer any circulation in that area. Both of these things can potentially kill the tree.
Removing some root tips can also cause problems for your tree. When root tips are removed, thetree responds by shutting down certain processes in order to conserve energy.
How are roots pruned?
Root pruning is the removal of a portion of the root system of a plant. This is done to control the size of the root system, to promote better growth, and to prepare the plant for re-planting.
There are several ways to prune roots. One method uses a spade or shovel to chop away some of the roots. Another method uses an oscillating cutter that cuts away some of the roots. A third method uses a drip irrigation line with a special filter that re-waters the plant by pulling water from the surrounding soil, instead of using a bucket or other external source.
All of these methods are effective in different situations. Landscapers usually use one or more of these methods depending on what works best for the plant in question and what looks best for the landscaping design.
Will the tree survive the root pruning process?
In most cases, a tree can recover from root pruning. However, it all depends on how much of the root system is removed and how much of the tree is at risk for drought or other stressors.
If most of the roots are removed and there is little chance for water, then the tree will not survive. If only a small portion of the roots are removed and there is plenty of water, then the tree will most likely survive.
Beaverton arborists check for these things when doing root pruning. They make sure that there is adequate water and that there aren’t any root systems that are too large to remove safely.
What should I look for after the procedure?
Following the procedure, you should watch your tree to see if it resumes growth. If the tree does not grow new buds and leaves and sprout new branches, then the tree is probably dead.
If this occurs, you should have a tree specialist come out and check if the tree is alive or not. If it is confirmed that the tree is dead, then it needs to be removed and replaced.
If the tree does regrow foliage and branches, then there may be some possible side effects from the pruning procedure. The most likely outcome is that some of the newly grown branches may die back.
This is because when trees grow new growth, they spend energy on growing that new growth instead of maintaining other parts of itself. This can sometimes cause parts of the tree to die back due to lack of nutrients and water.
General care after this procedure includes watering and fertilizing the tree to help promote health growth.
Does my tree need to be root pruned?
If your tree is a fruit tree (like a pear tree) or an oak tree, then yes, your tree needs to be root pruned. This is because these trees grow large root systems that spread out wide beneath the ground.
These trees need their roots cleared out so that they can receive enough water and nutrition. If you do not prune the roots, then the tree will struggle to thrive.
If your tree is a conifer (like a pine or spruce tree), then no, it does not need to be root pruned. These trees have very little aboveground growth, so there is less of a need to clear out the roots.
