Soil Decompaction & Amelioration
Why do we need to look after the soil?
Trees rely on the soil in their immediate local environment for both anchoring in the ground and for water and nutrient uptake, including beneficial relationships with soil borne symbiotic fungi. All new annual and adaptive growth needs resource from within the soil to contribute to the whole physiological system including photosynthesis. Their relationship with the soil can be vulnerable to persistent harmful conditions in the soil that may arise from compaction, contamination and poor drainage; combined or individually they can affect the entire soil biome including fauna and flora making it inhospitable to fibrous roots. Problems might manifest as even distribution of dieback at the distal ends of the canopy, poor foliage distribution and poor leaf colour and size – all of which might not appear for many years after the original damaging event. To give affected trees(s) the best chance for self recovery we can treat the soil to improve the soil biome.
How do we ameliorate (make something bad, better)?
We use a Geo Injector, a specialised piece of equipment for injecting compressed air into the soil at predetermined depths between 300mm and 800mm. The equipment can also be used to introduce granular additives such as fertilizer or biochar at measurable doses to both improve soil conditions and/or prevent the newly formed air spaces from closing again with time to improve and maintain drainage. Inert granular fill of the appropriate specification can be used instead of Biochar if required.
What is Biochar
Biochar is a granular material made from charcoal produced from biomass material for use as a soil improver and will contribute to carbon sequestration as it is very durable and only breaks down slowly over centuries, retaining carbon within the soil rather than it decomposing to CO2.The carbon can also help change acidic pH which can improve fertility by making the soil more hospitable to flora and fauna.
The grains have a highly porous, increased surface area which makes them ideal for hosting micro biotic ecosystems and it can be enriched prior to delivery into the soil with nutrients and antagonistic and symbiotic fungi that can be beneficial to tree roots and other soil flora.
When is soil improvement used
Typical tree related issues such as compaction (that may also cause persistent waterlogging) and/or disturbance such as on a development site will be improved with little risk of harm. Applications of biochar are largely expected to be a positive improvement in any situation but we would need to do a preliminary site assessment.
If you think it might be of use to your specific issues or you would like to know more just call the office.
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