|
Deep Root Fertilization Fertilizer is mixed with water and soil amendments and injected into the soil around the plants where it is absorbed
by the roots and stored/used by the plants. Actual products are injected into the root activity zone which
is the upper 12 inches of the soil so the term drf is a misnomer, but one that is pretty firmly entrenched. Some
fracturing of the soil is also accomplished when this method is used. This
method allows for much more customization through the use of a wide range of potential amendments like organic materials and
biologicals, micronutrients, and systemic insecticides. Organic amendments serve to return some decomposed
material to the root zone to compensate for the removal of such by bagging grass clippings and raking up leaves. Air Spade/Vertical Aeration
One of the primary
reasons for the decline of trees near construction sites is the compaction of the soil that occurs with the passage of heavy
equipment. Compressed soils lose air spaces that are important in the exchange of gasses by the roots,
and also compacted soils hold less water making it much harder for the plants to obtain what they need. Trees
are often backfilled as well, which can also lead to severe decline and/or failure. Traditional methods
of soil aeration have typically been pretty labor intensive with a lot of hand digging and use of power augurs to break up
the soil. These methods also introduce their own stresses, as wounding of trunks or roots is always a possibility.
Use of an air spade which uses a compressor and a jet of hypersonic air to dig
alleviates most of the risk of wounds being introduced, and is much more rapidly accomplished. The air
spade does more to fracture the soil than augurs as well. Holes excavated by the air spade are filled with
a lighter soil mixture that allows better movement of air and water and is easier for fine roots to colonize.
Various amendments can also be added to the columns. The natural expansion and contraction of water
freezing and thawing further reduces soil compaction. Macro Injection This harness and pump arrangement allows for
the injection of a considerable amount of materials into the tree, whether it is a fungicide to treat anthracnose, Dutch elm
disease, oak wilt, or a variety of micronutrients like iron manganese or zinc. Larger volumes of materials
mean more even distribution of the product than does microinjections although the process is more time consuming and costlier.
There is some new evidence that macro injections of micronutrients have a much longer residual than any of the alternative
treatments, which would make the increased, labor less of an issue.
|
