Airspade Arborist Services in Austin, TX

To maintain the health and beauty of your trees, maintaining adequate oxygen levels in soils is a must.  Most people observe the canopy of a tree and pay little attention to what is happening below ground.  Proper soil structure, soil moisture and aerobic soils result in healthy root growth and an overall increase in plant health and vigor.

Soil Aeration

In the urban environment in Central Texas, soils can become compacted over time and / or due to repeated traffic over the critical root zones of trees and shrubs. Heavy construction equipment,  materials and repeated foot traffic frequently traveling over or resting on top of a trees critical root zone can have detrimental, long term effects.  Soils become compacted by such practices which reduce soil permeability and limit required oxygen and moisture available for trees and shrubs.

The soil aeration process requires using the Airspade tool to excavate 2”-3” diameter holes to a depth of 10”-12”, as able, every few feet within the Critical Root Zone of a tree. These holes will promote proper gaseous exchange to the root system and alleviates compaction within the soils.  Aerating the soils within your trees critical root zones, along with other best practices, will help maintain a high level of plant health and vigor.

Tree Root Collar Exposure

The root collar is the area at the base of the tree where the trunk and root system meet.  This area is defined as the flare at the base of the tree.  Root collars, unlike the tissue of roots, are not tolerant of high moisture levels and require exposure.  Buried root collars are more inclined to experience girdling roots which choke the tree itself.  Wire baskets, twine and burlap left around the roots upon planting are other frequent causes of girdling root formation which restricts the movement of water, stored food reserves and plant nutrients throughout the tree.  The root flare and root system are not tolerant of constant moisture which can lead to butt rotting and root rotting pathogens. Since respiration occurs in this area of the tree and wet bark restricts or stops this breathing, root Collar Exposure is crucial to the health of your tree. If left unattended, the restriction can cause the area to interfere with the downward movement of food to the roots and result in reduced water uptake, root dieback and a overall decline.

Capitol Tree Care, utilizes a Airspade tool to remove excess soil using highly compressed air, minimizing physical damage to your tree incurred with hand tools or heavy excavation equipment.  This process allows our technicians the ability to safely expose root collars and roots.  The Airspade also allows a safe trenching technique when working within the critical root zone of a tree, exposing roots to work around or prune using a clean cut and a wound sealant.

Trenching

Our trenching services provide clean, efficient, and precise excavation for installing utilities, irrigation systems, and other underground components — completed with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area. Homeowners, general contractors, home builders, plumbers, etc. utilize our services to safely excavate trenches through root zones, safely exposing roots instead of indiscriminately tearing through root zones with excavators, trenchers, and/or hand tools. The Airspade allows arborists to blow away soil with highly compressed air to expose roots. Once roots are exposed, root pruning is able to be completed in a controlled manner if needed, and utilities, conduits, pipes, etc. can be installed beneath or around roots in a way that preserves the tree and root system. This tool can also be used to excavate holes for footers and piers for construction purposes for minimal disturbance to the tree.