[ArborTech]

I can really appreciate those stately older trees that are around the lake. They've certainly been through alot. As for preserving their health, pruning out any dead, diseased or damaged limbs (from top to bottom) will improve the trees overall health. There are many measures that tree companies can provide (structural pruning, cabling, fertilizing, etc.) in order to maintain the trees, but as for the home/landowner the practices may be limited.

-Avoid having heavy equipment consistently passing over the root systems of the trees. Soil compaction eliminates oxygen in the soil. I see this alot around the lake.

-Prevent redirection of surface or ground water. This often happens when new culverts or drainage ditches are installed. However, leach fields, dry wells, and perimeter drains can contribute to this problem as well.

-If you have construction done on your property, don't let trees get soil mounded up around the base (backfilled to high) or have the bark scraped off the bottom. This will cause almost certain decline.

-At all costs....don't girdle the tree with chain, rope, cable or anything else! I run into this at least once a week working around the lake. People use the trees to hold up their docks, swings and numerous other things. This will certainly kill the tree eventually. There are other noninvasive ways to do this.


These are just a few things you can do to help the trees on your property. Pests and insects are hard to combat without outside help. Pruning is always an affordable option to improve the health of your trees.