Rubber mallet is a great tool. I've had to dig more than that pic showed, but rarely. Signs of decay get easier to spot, the more experience you get looking.
Buttress inspection critical for PHC too, see Assessment below handout for MG class, with shameless plug at the bottom.
Master Gardeners’ Tree Care Guidelines
TREES are the keystone life form in the urban ecosystem. Air and water quality suffer irreparable harm if an adequate tree cover is not maintained. For details on the value of urban trees, see
http://www.americanforests.org/downloads/rea/AF_Charlotte.pdf. Songbirds and other wildlife would have nowhere to live, and gardening would barely be possible without healthy soil built and held together by trees.
Planting: Find the Flare!
The trunk flare is the bottom of the stem, where it spreads out to form the root system. Whether they are container-grown or balled-and-burlapped, the majority of nursery-grown plants have the trunk flare buried. The flare must be found, and any circling roots should be straightened. Plant the tree so the flare is at or just above grade, in a wide bed amended so it contains adequate levels of organic matter and oxygen.
Assessment: Find the Flare!
When diagnosing tree problems, the first place to look is the trunk flare. Older trees typically have some diseased areas between the buttresses; this is treatable and not a great concern unless decay is extensive. Most of the problems in newly planted trees are a result of girdling roots, deep planting and overmulching. Small girdling roots should be straightened or cut, because large ones can become hazardous defects.
Pruning: Find the Collar!
The branch collar is a raised ring of tissue at the base of the branch. On some species it is easier to see than on others. Cuts should be made just outside of the collar. Sometimes heading cuts (cuts to nodes where there is no side branch) must be made on trees and shrubs. Heading cuts between nodes, on wood too big to seal and dependably regrow, are called Topping. Topping is a tree sin and often destroys perfectly innocent trees.
ISA Certified Arborists have three years’ experience and have passed a test showing basic knowledge of tree care. Together with references and proof of insurance, this credential is a good indicator of someone that can be trusted with the care of trees.
ISA Board Certified Master Arborists have a minimum of 7 years experience as an ISA Certified Arborist or its equivalent. They must pass a computer-based exam that intensively covers all aspects of arboriculture. These individuals have advanced levels of knowledge in all aspects of tree care. Together with references, this credential indicates the individual is qualified to consult on diagnosis, appraisal, and tree management.
Web Resources for Tree Information:
www.americanforests.org Champion Trees, conference in Charlotte, Nov 17-18, 2005
www.isa-arbor.com for the International Society of Arboriculture
www.treesaregood.com for ISA’s16 downloadable consumer information booklets
www.arborday.org for the National Arbor Day Foundation. Good workshops
www.wakegov.com/general/environment/keepamer Capital Trees Program, Wake County’s volunteer effort to promote the benefits of healthy trees
) and adjust my rigging procedures accordingly.
