Emergency Tree Removal
AirSpade Excavation Services in Savannah, GA & Surrounding Areas
Is your majestic oak or beautiful magnolia not thriving the way it used to? Perhaps the leaves are yellowing, the canopy seems a bit thin, or its growth has noticeably stalled. More often than not, the real problem isn’t what’s happening above ground, but what’s hidden beneath the surface. More specifically, the problem is frequently compacted soil.
Over time, foot traffic, construction, landscaping projects, and even the weight of heavy rains can press soil particles together, squeezing out air pockets that allow water and nutrients to reach the roots. When this happens, a tree’s root system can essentially begin to suffocate, and the tree itself becomes more susceptible to drought, pests, and diseases. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution: air excavation.
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At Herrington Tree Care, we use pressurized air to carefully break up and decompact the soil around the base of your trees. This technique, often referred to as root invigoration or AirSpade excavation, creates the ideal conditions for new root development, enhances the flow of critical resources, and revitalizes the overall health of your cherished trees.
If you’re a homeowner or business owner concerned about the well-being of your trees, reach out to our experts to learn more about how our specialized AirSpade services in Savannah, GA, can make a profound difference.
Air Excavation
What Is Air Excavation?
Air excavation is a non-invasive technique that uses a high-velocity stream of air to safely and effectively remove or loosen soil without damaging the delicate structures within it. Unlike a shovel, pickaxe, or backhoe, which would inevitably tear, break, or sever tree roots, the stream of air from an AirSpade is strong enough to move soil particles but gentle enough to leave roots, underground utility lines, and irrigation systems completely unharmed. This precision allows our arborists to perform a variety of crucial tasks with a level of accuracy that was previously impossible.
By systematically fracturing the compacted soil throughout the critical root zone, we reintroduce the porous structure that healthy soil needs. We can also incorporate nutrient-rich organic matter and beneficial amendments directly into this newly aerated soil, creating a supercharged environment that promotes rapid root growth and dramatically improves the tree’s access to everything it needs to flourish. This targeted approach ensures that we are not just treating symptoms but addressing the root cause of tree decline.
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When Are AirSpade Services Recommended?
The applications for AirSpade services in Savannah, GA, are incredibly diverse, making it one of the most valuable solutions in modern arboriculture. Our team at Herrington Tree Care often recommends this service in the following applications:
Alleviating Soil Compaction
If your property has heavy clay soil, has experienced recent construction or landscaping work, or sees a lot of foot or vehicle traffic, the soil around your trees is likely compacted. A root invigoration treatment can reverse the signs of soil compaction (such as canopy dieback, leaf discoloration, and stunted growth) and set your tree on a path to recovery.
Diagnosing Root Problems
When a tree is showing signs of distress without an obvious cause, AirSpade excavation allows us to safely expose the root collar — the area where the trunk meets the roots — to check for serious issues, such as girdling roots, decay, or root damage.
Construction and Development Projects
Before, during, and after construction, the AirSpade is an indispensable tool for tree preservation. We can use it to precisely locate roots to plan trenching or foundation work without damaging them. It can also be used to dig trenches for utilities or irrigation lines within a tree’s root zone in a way that weaves around major roots instead of cutting through them. After construction, we can use it to mitigate damage by aerating compacted areas and correcting any changes in soil grade that may have buried the root collar too deeply.
Root Collar Excavation
Many trees are planted too deeply or have had mulch and soil piled up against their trunks over the years. This buries the root collar, which can lead to moisture buildup, fungal growth, pest infestations, and girdling roots. We use the AirSpade to gently remove the excess soil and expose the root flare to the proper depth.
Other Services to Consider in Addition to AirSpade Excavation
While root invigoration with the AirSpade tool can have an incredible impact on tree health, its benefits are often magnified when combined with other aspects of a comprehensive plant health care (PHC) program. That’s why, following a root invigoration treatment, our tree care professionals often recommend complementary services to maximize the recovery and future vitality of your trees. These PHC services include (but are not limited to):
- Deep Root Fertilization: Once we have decompacted the soil, the tree’s roots are primed to absorb nutrients. So, with a deep root fertilization treatment, we would inject a custom blend of essential macro- and micronutrients, biostimulants, and beneficial microbes directly into the root zone to fuel new growth and strengthen its defenses.
- Tree Pruning: A tree with a struggling root system often has a significant amount of dead or dying branches in its canopy. In addition to helping the roots recover from compaction, it’s important to remove the deadwood from the canopy. This improves airflow, reduces the risk of disease, and lightens the overall weight and stress on the tree.
- Pest and Disease Management: A tree stressed by compacted soil is more vulnerable to opportunistic pests and diseases. As part of our integrated approach, we can provide trunk and soil injections and tree spraying to fight and prevent infestations and infections.