Articles » Why Do Trees Fail?

WHY DO TREES FAIL?

It is so frustrating to see trees that we have planted, watered
and cared for years, blow over in the desert winds.

What is the future of your trees?

Whether you’re planting the tree yourself or you’ve moved into a home with existing trees, use this guide to keep them healthy.

Planting a new tree

1. It is best to start with a 5-15 gallon plant. There is less transplant shock and less potential for root problems.

2. Prepare a great planting hole. Luckily, for us in the west, we no longer have to dig very deep holes. The root ball should sit solidly on native soil. It is important to have a hole 3-5 times the width of the container, in a bowl shape. In many situations such as new home construction, the soils are very compacted from construction. The wider the diameter of the soil area that is worked, the easier it will be for the roots to spread. Adding amendments is not recommended by many experts. It is definitely not recommended for natives. Non-natives may appreciate adding 1/3 compost or topsoil to the back fill mix.


3. After planting, water the plant well with a good deep soaking.

4. Staking a plant is another practice that has become out dated in most situations. Trees need to move in the wind to develop strong trunks. Most 15-gallon trees have enough root ball to stabilize the top. Some 5-gallon trees may have a lot of plant in comparison to the root ball. In this case, you may need to stake the tree, BUT only for the first year. Consult your Certified Nursery Professional when you buy your tree for detailed planting instructions.


You are in a relatively new house with trees already planted.

1. This is the situation I see that causes most trees to fail. It is most frequently the trees in the front yard. The trees are staked and irrigated like the day they were installed. The emitters are usually at the base of the trunk, there are two stakes and the trees may be being choked by the guy wires.

2. The cure is gradually moving the emitters to the edge of the canopy (drip line) and removing the stakes. This must be done over a year or two, not all at once.


3. First, you should add emitters at the edge of the canopy, at least three to four. If you have two stakes remove one. In the fall after the monsoon season, remove all of the stakes.

4. After one year, remove the emitters from the base of the trunk and place them half way to the drip line.


5. Water with a soaker hose outside of the canopy once a month from July thru September very deeply (3’) to encourage a deep wide spread root system.

Why do trees fail?
Due to improper watering and staking, the roots are shallow and right under the trunk, there is nothing to support the large tree above the ground. To guarantee healthy trees, keep the water at or outside of the tree’s drip line which means moving emitters every three to four years.