Soil can be contaminated by masonry, wood, paper, asphalt, paint, fuel, cement, oil, salt, or other materials. Contamination may occur across an entire site, such as an industrial property, or in spots, such as concrete washouts and refueling areas. This …
Urban Soils: Correcting Low Soil Moisture
Photo Credit: Raina Sheridan
Lack of moisture in the soil is as harmful as too much water. Low soil moisture can be caused by high temperature, drought, high salt content, sandy soils, and improperly timed irrigation systems. Impervious surfaces can …
Urban Soil Problems that Affect Successful Tree Growth and Development
Good Planting and Placement prevents Problems
Many activities in an urban area can change a soil’s physical, chemical, or biological characteristics. Construction and landscape maintenance are the most common of these.…
How to Correct Soil Compaction
Soil compaction is a major cause of tree decline in urban areas. Compaction occurs when a force, such as feet, vehicles, and even water from some sprinkler systems, creates pressure on the soil surface and compresses the soil particles. This …
How to Correct Excessive Soil Moisture and Drainage Problems
Soils with excessive moisture have poor aeration because pore spaces are filled with water. Roots tend to grow near the surface in such soils. With poorly anchored roots, a tree is susceptible to wind throw. A tree may survive for …
Soil Volume and Rooting Space When Planting Trees
To ensure adequate stability and to allow a tree to grow to its potential size, a tree’s root system must have adequate soil volume in which to develop. There is a direct relationship between soil volume and crown volume. When …