lawn care

treebing

treebing

Been here much more than a while
Location
Detroit, Mi.
was talking to a friend of mine who I find to be one of the best problem solving minds around. When he told me his organization was starting a lawn care service my first initial gut reaction was, "selling out to the dark side eh?" what a worse job in the world there is than American Lawn care. what darker forces in the world are there than tru green/chem lawn? Scotts and Ortho?

WHat he told me next though really got me thinking that good lawn care is possibly the best tree care there is. Their system is based on alleviating compaction adding organic matter, building the soil right, compost tea additions, All of which is good for both the lawn and the trees.

It addresses the problem at the root directly and skirts around a complex cultural issue ingrained in our society. Compacted lifeless yards are bad for lawns and trees.

Many times I look hopelessly at a customers horribly compacted tru-greened chem lawn and her dying Sugar Maple. And think that there is little hope for her unless I could completely change her vision of her lawn. In which case I would have to get into lawn care because the transformation is an intense one.

I think the reality is that the two must go hand in hand. I am very excited to see how Their new lawn program works.

I believe it to be a very smart business move as well because people really like to pump a ton of money into their lawns and they are currently pumping their money into poisons.

I didn't ask if they would also mow the lawns as well.
 
We started our Organic Lawn Program this year. I think looking at the bigger picture of what we as arborists can offer in an increasingly environmentally conscious population is important for long term success. The interaction zones between turf and tree roots are vital and need to managed accordingly either by tree professionals with turf programs or a coalition between two like minded companies. Unfortunately I am already seeing imitators that claim to offer a natural care program but they are still pumping high nitrogen fertilizers into the soil. I cant tell you how many trees we treat every year with damage caused by lawn companies. Its a ton. Good discussion lets keep it rolling!
 
Lawns bore me to death but you are on to something.

I have long believed that adding organics back to lawns is essential for general soil health of trees whose roots underlie turf.

I don't have proof my recommendations are adequate but I recommend general lawn aeration with a proper aerator, followed by a raked over layer of decent compost. Plus leaving cuttings on the lawn to cycle nitrogen back. Lawn grasses are heavy nitrogen feeders. Cuttings do not cause thatch buildup problems either.

Too many trees live in lawns, so lawn care can help trees. As long as I don't have to work on the lawn care crew!
wink.gif
 
I feel with the majority of species where i live, Turf and trees is a death match.
Consider a hardwood forest with all levels/layers of decay rarely include any of the turf type species.
the only plant that resembles turf are the sedges and even they do not colonize the way rye, fescue, bent or blue does.
Do not forget the allelopathic affect of turfs.

I agree with Treebing. Indeed, The dark side.
devdude.gif


But with that said there is buck in it and it may be a way of getting access to valuable trees and properties.
Gorrilla tactics.
I like it!
The growing trend is moving away from turf and mass plantings and mulch. Micro-forestry with consideration for companion plants is the best direction IMO
smile.gif
 
I do agree that the best turf management practice for tree health is to minimize turf areas as much as possible and replace with native understory beds, mulch or other ground covers. However getting people to let go of their lawns in this country is akin to asking them to give up religion. It is so engrained in our society. But if we can work with the existing lawn and manage it from a soil ecology prospective it will be mutually beneficial for trees and the environment at large.
An interesting read regarding the history of our nations obsession with the lawn is Michael Pollan's Second Nature, A gardeners education.
 
Both the "landscape" care providers down below, and the tree care providers up above, should somewhat master the basic knowledge of both aspects.

Otherwise, we end up with horticultural cripples.



cool.gif
 
is aerated lawns beneficial to trees? i have a sod aerator that we use once a year for our sod lawns. we use the machine and then add in sand and slow release nitrogen fertilizer. i allways wondered weather what we do has a negative or positive effect on the trees around the lawns.
 
I think in order to be successful in both tree care and turf management you need to think differently.
Many times on the various arborist forums the talk is of removals, rigging and cranes, which of course makes sense.
We are of course working arborists.

But the true success comes from a vast knowledge of plant science that ranges from tree and shrub care (woody ornamentals and shade trees) to fruit and nut bearing trees and shrubs, turf grasses and other ornamental plantings that are an intergral part of the landscape that we work in and around every day.

Also a knowledge of soils and the various types and addendums along with the nutritional values and ph requirements of the various plants within the landscape.

Couple this knowledge with an understanding of light requirements along with weather exposure and water requirements.

At this point you will find that you have transformed yourself from being an arborist into being a horticulturist and maybe with the addition of propagation and you would be considered a grower.

Any way a few thoughts on the subject ...


SteveP Arborist, Horticulturist.
 
PS ..Nora returning the clippings from your lawn mowind and grinding up the leafs of the tree back on to the soil can return up to 75% of the fertilizer that was initially applied. I believe the 75 % amount is a current assessment value but check to be sure.
 
The only issue I can think of is earation on heavier soils/clay will potentially create an area of compaction.
No different than a foot print. It will take many successive plugs or slits to get it to the point necessary to impede the movement of atmospheric air.
 
I agree with many of the points, To be a sucessful arborist and to manage trees, you must manage the environment in which the tree grows.. Not the mention the extra $$ an organic / low N lawn program will bring in.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The only issue I can think of is earation on heavier soils/clay will potentially create an area of compaction.
No different than a foot print. It will take many successive plugs or slits to get it to the point necessary to impede the movement of atmospheric air.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you saying that soil aeration leads to soil compaction?

Soil compaction leads to less oxygen infiltrating to the roots of plants. Soil aeration consists of decompacting soil for more oxygen infiltration.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom