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RTEC Treecare

RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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SOIL COMPACTION: ARE YOU SMOTHERING YOUR TREE?

Resources: Tree Maintenance

5377100-PPT
A Common Cause Of Soil Compaction Is Heavy Equipment Driving Over Root Zones and Repeated Foot Travel

Did you know that trees roots need oxygen? It might be hard to believe that anything that grows underground needs oxygen but it’s true. In fact in a tree’s natural habitat, forests, the top 6 inches of soil is 50% oxygen. However, the average urban soil has only 10% which can lead to early mortality for trees. This difference in oxygen levels occurs because of the compaction of the urban soil, caused by frequent traffic (foot or equipment), construction, and other ecological disturbances. Recent research shows that 80% of urban tree decline can be attributed to this compaction.

Symptoms & Signs of Soil Compaction:

  • Overall decline in the tree’s health
  • Canopy dieback
  • Presence of Secondary invaders (insects & diseases)
  • Areas under the canopy where grass doesn’t grow

But it isn’t all bad news; with proper care and procedures such as Aeration you can restore crucial oxygen pore space in the soil and relieve the stress on your trees.

The process of Aeration de-compacts the soil within the critical root zone and helps restore the tree’s environment to one it will biologically thrive in.  Soils are de-compacted without damaging the root system using a High Velocity Air Tool that utilizes compressed air technology. As the high powered compressed air is injected into the soil it fractures the soil increasing macro and micro pore space, allowing for greater moisture and oxygen potential. When performed under the guidance of a certified arborist or trained plant health care specialist there are numerous benefits.

Benefits of Aeration:

  • Promotes Plant and Root Growth
  • Controls the Formation of Toxic Materials
  • Promotes Growth and Activity of Microorganisms
  • Controls the Development of Plant Diseases

The importance of aerating the soil in your tree cannot be stressed enough. It is vital for optimal tree/root health and should be performed regularly for best results. If you are a member of our Canopy Protection Program you have the benefit of soil monitoring and if a soil compaction issue does develop your Arborist will be there to provide a solution.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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Falls Church, VA 22042

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