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Below is an Ornamental Pear that had been struggling
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The tree shown above is an 8-year-old Ornamental Pear. In November 2005, about a third of the tree was prematurely changing to Fall color. That was an indication of a below-ground problem, possibly a stem-girdling root. In March 2006, the root crown was excavated using an Air Knife (click on each image to enlarge).
It revealed what is shown in the picture directly above; nylon strapping, still tied around the trunk from the original root ball, the wire basket was never peeled back, and a large new root that the tree was forced to sprout off the trunk, because the orginal main roots were too deep in the ground (about 10 inches). Roots that are too deep cannot develop properly because of lack of oxygen. The decision was made to remove the new root, and leave the root crown uncovered, so air could get to the main roots and allow them to grow.
The top left photo shows the tree beginning to recover in August 2006. The side that had originally been showing early Fall coloration is still “see-through”, as the leaves and new growth are stunted. By November 2007, all the branches are full, the foliage is normal-sized and a healthy green.
Both the White Pine and the Pear received our regular treatment program of Organic Root Fertilization, Foliar Nutrient Sprays, and remediation around the trunk and root zone, using the Air Knife.
