Mechanical damage is the term used when
the use of human tools on or near a tree causes harm to the plant.
Often, homeowners are unaware that an action can cause mechanical
damage. Learn some of the ways these tree injuries can occur so that
you can avoid mechanical damage.
Lawn Tools
Lawnmowers, string trimmers, and any
other tool you use to keep your lawn looking great can cause damage
to a tree. Damages are usually accidental, and you may not even be
aware the damage occurred until the tree begins to experience
problems.
Damage
Trees have a thin tissue layer beneath
their bark called the cambium. This layer is responsible for all the
nutrient and water transport in the tree. When the bark and cambium
layer is stripped off, such as by a string trimmer line or a
lawnmower scraping against the trunk, then nutrient flow is
interrupted. If too much of the cambium becomes damaged, the tree
will die.
Further, the wound from the damage can
make the tree susceptible to certain diseases and pests.
Prevention
The easiest way to prevent damage is to
avoid using tools near the tree trunk. Instead of grass, consider
mulching beneath trees instead. With mulch, you have no need to mow
or trim near the trunk. If you must have grass, consider installing
trunk guards to protect the tree against lawn tools.
Ropes and Lines
Ropes are sometimes tied around trees
to stabilize them, or you may use a rope to hang a hammock or other
item. Unfortunately, ropes can also cause mechanical damage to the
trunk.
Damage
Rope damage occurs by either
constriction or bark removal. If a rope is left in place and not
loosened as the tree grows, then the trunk will be constricted by the
rope. This not only creates a weak point on the trunk, it can
eventually cut into the cambium layer and restrict nutrient flow.
Ropes can also rub on a tree, causing
bark loss. When bark is lost completely around the trunk, this is
called girdling. Girdling is deadly to trees.
Prevention
Your tree service can properly support
trees with specially made tree ties designed not to cut into the
trunk. You should still monitor tied trees and remove or loosen the
ropes if they begin to constrict growth.
As for other ropes, don't leave them
tied around the trunk for more than a few days. Also, wrap a heavy
piece of fabric around the trunk before placing the rope. The fabric
cuts down on friction so that the bark remains undamaged.
Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment on the lawn is
sometimes necessary, especially if you do work on your home.
Damage
Heavy equipment, just like lawn tools,
can cause bark and trunk damage if the equipment encounters the tree.
The real concern, though, is soil compaction. The increased weight of
the equipment on top of the soil presses it down so that fewer open
pores are in the soil substrate. This compaction, in turn, makes it
more difficult for nutrients and water to siphon down to the tree
roots.
Even growth can be affected, as it can
be more difficult for trees to send out new roots in heavily
compacted soil.
Prevention
The best prevention is to keep the
equipment off your lawn and away from the trees as much as possible.
You can't always prevent compaction,
especially if you need to use the equipment for important repairs or
upgrades. If you suspect that soil compaction is an issue beneath
your trees, your tree professional can aerate the soil to help
increase the porosity of the soil. Aeration combined with mulching
and the addition of organic matter with the soil can help counteract
the compaction problem.
ContactMcClain's Tree Experts for more help when caring for your landscape
trees.
