For a professional to run around telling clients that the root flare cannot be seen, therefore a fix is in order is not always right. What if the tree is healthy, growing at the proper pace and you don't know the history of the landscape, when it was planted, who planted it etc.? I had a fellow from the DFW metro walk around my arboretum and tell me that my trees were not healthy because he could not see root flares. His diagnosis was wrong, and was based on too little information.
This guy seems to have a hidden (or not so hidden) agenda but definitely doesnt know what he is taking about in regard to root flares and natural tree health.
You know who this guy is DirtDoctor. There is no hidden agenda, just an agenda of making a point that using a root flare as a diagnostic tool is not always reliable or a valid technique. I've seen it oversold when it was not the problem and even have my own distributors in Texas over selling it. I'm now working to educate them to stop doing that! You have been in my arboretum and know who I am, and we've had this discussion in person where I pointed out these same facts.
Also trying to make the point that there are many other tools for the tool box to determine a trees health, if grading or planting depth are not the issue, and it's not always the issue. As for me not knowing about root flares or natural tree health, I think not, you know my credentials, and my company's. If you have ever purchased and used mycorrhizal products there's an excellent chance they were produced by my labs, or one of our affiliated company's. I know tree biology!
DirtDoctor, I also want to point out that while my company produces mycorrhizal products, that also is not always the magic bullet. My agenda is, if you're a tree care professional, get on the learning curve, be professional, and know what tool to use out of the tool box. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The hammer is a wonderful tool and has its place, but I see a lot of hammers being pushed on the public in this industry!
You found a root flare 8 feet down because the elevation was raised in construction, not because someone planted the tree too deep? In such a situation, the solution is a difficult one based on the value of the tree to its owner. Root flares also begin to show as the tree roots encounter a hard pan, a tight soil without tilth, or a caliche layer, resulting in a pushing of the tree out of the ground.
The point is that if the tree had grown naturally from seed on the site there will only be a root flare exposed at a certain point of muturity. There is no point in digging down looking for and trying to expose a root flare as that would be of no benefit to the tree, unless you know for sure that the elevation of the site was raised or the tree was planted too deep. Otherwise looking for a root flare just because you want to see one, is not a dependable diagnostic technique.
I have over 1000 trees in our arboretum (the Arboretum Tomé) all grown from seed sown directly into the site. Those with a caliper under 12" have no 'Root Flare'. Only some but not all of those larger than 12" in diameter begin to show a 'Root Flare', We have a 60 foot tall Redwood that's 20 years old from seed with no Root Flare, over 100 species of oak some now at 45 feet, Bigtooth Maple, Zelkova, and many more species growing on the site. Question, at what age does the root flare begin?
Awesome =]
pinkfloydeffect 2 years ago
For a professional to run around telling clients that the root flare cannot be seen, therefore a fix is in order is not always right. What if the tree is healthy, growing at the proper pace and you don't know the history of the landscape, when it was planted, who planted it etc.? I had a fellow from the DFW metro walk around my arboretum and tell me that my trees were not healthy because he could not see root flares. His diagnosis was wrong, and was based on too little information.
soilhumic 2 years ago
This guy seems to have a hidden (or not so hidden) agenda but definitely doesnt know what he is taking about in regard to root flares and natural tree health.
TheDirtDoctor 2 years ago
You know who this guy is DirtDoctor. There is no hidden agenda, just an agenda of making a point that using a root flare as a diagnostic tool is not always reliable or a valid technique. I've seen it oversold when it was not the problem and even have my own distributors in Texas over selling it. I'm now working to educate them to stop doing that! You have been in my arboretum and know who I am, and we've had this discussion in person where I pointed out these same facts.
soilhumic 2 years ago
Also trying to make the point that there are many other tools for the tool box to determine a trees health, if grading or planting depth are not the issue, and it's not always the issue. As for me not knowing about root flares or natural tree health, I think not, you know my credentials, and my company's. If you have ever purchased and used mycorrhizal products there's an excellent chance they were produced by my labs, or one of our affiliated company's. I know tree biology!
soilhumic 2 years ago
DirtDoctor, I also want to point out that while my company produces mycorrhizal products, that also is not always the magic bullet. My agenda is, if you're a tree care professional, get on the learning curve, be professional, and know what tool to use out of the tool box. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The hammer is a wonderful tool and has its place, but I see a lot of hammers being pushed on the public in this industry!
soilhumic 2 years ago
You found a root flare 8 feet down because the elevation was raised in construction, not because someone planted the tree too deep? In such a situation, the solution is a difficult one based on the value of the tree to its owner. Root flares also begin to show as the tree roots encounter a hard pan, a tight soil without tilth, or a caliche layer, resulting in a pushing of the tree out of the ground.
soilhumic 2 years ago
The point is that if the tree had grown naturally from seed on the site there will only be a root flare exposed at a certain point of muturity. There is no point in digging down looking for and trying to expose a root flare as that would be of no benefit to the tree, unless you know for sure that the elevation of the site was raised or the tree was planted too deep. Otherwise looking for a root flare just because you want to see one, is not a dependable diagnostic technique.
soilhumic 2 years ago
I have over 1000 trees in our arboretum (the Arboretum Tomé) all grown from seed sown directly into the site. Those with a caliper under 12" have no 'Root Flare'. Only some but not all of those larger than 12" in diameter begin to show a 'Root Flare', We have a 60 foot tall Redwood that's 20 years old from seed with no Root Flare, over 100 species of oak some now at 45 feet, Bigtooth Maple, Zelkova, and many more species growing on the site. Question, at what age does the root flare begin?
soilhumic 2 years ago
Comment removed
TheBrassHole 2 years ago