The average or typical landscape soil in Central Virginia is very poor. During the construction process the original “top soil” is removed from the site and replaced with the subsoil from excavation. This soil lacks the original organic material and is usually heavy clay. The result is very poor soil and growing conditions for your valuable landscape trees and shrubbery.
For this reason, your soil requires improvement. The best approach to improving the soil is to add organic material to the soil when the landscape is originally installed. Unfortunately, most often this step is omitted. However, the soil will improve over time as organic material accumulates and is mixed into the soil through the activity of worms and soil arthropods. This process is very slow and incomplete which causes your landscape plants will suffer as a result.
How Does the Soil Enhancement Process Work?
Our Soil Enhancement process is designed to quickly improve soil composition and structure in your landscape, giving your plants and trees the needed boost to improve their health and aesthetic appearance. The program uses pneumatic soil excavation to loosen the soil. This process forces air into the soil to break it up while avoiding any damage to the roots that comes from traditional mechanical tilling.
Once the soil has been loosened to up to eight inches below grade, compost is mixed into the soil. The compost used is from decomposed wood chips, twigs, buds, and leaves from our tree pruning and removal operations. These wood chips are slowly and naturally decomposed creating excellent compost. This quickly adds needed organic material to produce the best approximation of healthy forest soil possible. Our Soil Enhancement process provides long term improvement of the soil and, consequently, the health of your landscape.
Ideally, this process is done in a large area around the tree. However many trees are planted in a lawn which the homeowner wishes to maintain. The solution to this issue is a process known as radial trenching. The turf is removed in lines around the tree in a radial fashion, like spokes on a wheel, then the soil in these areas is enhanced and the turf returned. This process preserves the turf while giving the benefit to the tree.
What are the Benefits?
- Reduces soil compaction and improves soil moisture retention to protect your plants during times of drought.
- Creates a friendly environment for worms, soil microbial activity, and soil arthropods which maintain soil and plant health.
- Encourages the growth of beneficial Mycorhizae fungi that assist tree roots in the absorption of soil nutrients and moisture.
- Promotes fine root growth and reproduces a more natural, forest like soil for your trees.
Big O Tree’s Soil Enhancement is useful for new young trees and older established trees. If you are interested in learning more about how our Soil Enhancement process can improve your landscape or wish to receive a free estimate, contact us today.