Vertidraining near trees?

[richy_B]

Hello, can I ask for opinions on using a vertidrain near trees? We have a lot of avenues of trees with compaction which we intend to aerate via an airspade but with heavy clay soils there is only so much we can feasibly achieve. I wondered if radial trenching in the critical root zone then using our vertidrain (150mm) from the CRZ to the just beyond the drip line. We mulch the entire area after. 

 

Benefits vs costs (root damage) - Any thoughts? 

[Conor Wright]

Wont the vertidrain stop spiking downwards once it hits something solid? Used them before (on football/rugby pitches mainly) and if it's the same mechanism on yours the rubbers on the rotor allow a certain level of "flex" hitting major roots would stop it before it does significant damage imo. 

[richy_B]

Yes and no. It certainly won't go though a larger root (finger size and beyond) but it would cause some damage glancing off it etc. I think the damage is negligible to the overall benefits. 

[Ruskins Trees]

We operate soil probes that blast pressurised air at depths down to 1 metre.  The fissures (some of which visibly reach the surface) can be filled in the same action with media that will keep the fissures open, aiding aeration and drainage.  We also operate Air Spades so appreciate  the benefits of this deeper mitigation.   

[nepia]

Out of interest it wasn't you on the telly at Kew Gardens some years ago was it?  I believe they were using HP nitrogen on that occasion.  The effects, judging by pics taken a year later, were dramatic.