Tree Services
At Sox and Freeman, we go to great lengths to make sure we are ready for anything. We offer a wide range of services, covering all your tree care needs.
Soil Care
Fertilization
Human practices within the urban forest can destroy the natural process by which plants survive, resulting in soil that is deficient in the minerals and nutrients trees need to convert into food. The pavements of our streets, sidewalks and driveways diminish the available oxygen, organic nutrients and water absorbed by a tree’s roots. The raking of lawns removes potential nutrients that would eventually work their way into the soil. If you have a well-kept yard, neatly mowed and manicured, you probably have hungry trees. And since they can’t order out, you have to do it for them. After determining the soils fertility through lab analysis, we deep root inject our slow release formulation directly to the feeder roots and below
the competing grasses.
Soil Inoculent
Soil inoculents are bacteria or fungi that are added to soils in order to enhance plant growth by either: freeing up soil nutrients for plant use, entering into a symbiotic relationships with plant root systems or acting as antagonistic organisms against plant pathogens. Mycorrizal fungi attach to the roots of many plant species and help conduct water and nutrients for the
plants to use.
Soil Decompaction and Amendments
In our urban landscapes, leaf litter is usually removed and after many seasons of watering, the soil layer becomes compacted. This results in poor gas exchange between the roots and the atmosphere, poor water absorption, drainage problems and a general degredation of the soil environment where beneficial soil organisms live and thrive. These organisms play a major role in the tree’s ability to absorb soil-borne nutrients and every care should be taken to enhance their ecosystem. Aerated soil is more resistant to fluctuations and extremes in temperature. During our hot summers this plays an important part in the tree’s overall good health. Compacted soil heats up quickly and reaches higher temperatures. Higher soil temperatures increase evaporation rates resulting in less moisture reaching the roots. A two to four inch layer of coarsely shredded bark mulch maintains lower soil temperatures, slows evaporation and reduces the
need for watering.
Plant Health Care
Vulnerable trees and shrubs can be damaged or killed by insects and disease. Sox and Freeman
is able to diagnose and identify problems, and create a plan to treat and prevent future outbreaks
and infestations.
Tree Assessments
Hazardous Trees
As trees mature, structural issues can develop. Sox and Freeman can assess trees for health
and structural stability. Using technical instruments and experienced arborist, we can determine and
measure decay within the tree. Resistograph testing of key parts of the tree and analysis of the potential
risk of failure allows the owner to make an informed decision of how best to manage their tree.
Tree Appraisal
Trees lost or damaged due to an outside source, can be valued using our appraisal system.
Tree Preservation
The damage that occurs during construction may not at first be obvious unless the tree’s trunk was
damaged. In most cases the tree appears healthy but produces little new growth. Stress symptoms caused by
tree root damage may take five to ten years to fully develop. The tree initially lives off of its stored
reserves – after the reserves are depleted and the tree is exposed to hot, dry weather the tree declines
or dies rapidly. Often insects and disease will invade the weakened tree and lead to a gradual deterioration.
The loss of a tree and it’s value to the property far outweigh the initial tree preservation costs. Let us
create a plan to protect your trees and their root systems, before construction begins.
