| Weather, animals, and people cause mechanical | | | | There are steps a homeowner can take to |
| injury to plants. Of the 3 causes, damage by | | | | decrease the chances of mechanical injury |
| people is number 1. Most of this damage is caused | | | | occurring. |
| by the improper use of lawn equipment around | | | | Step 1. Use mulch around the base of your tree |
| the plant. If a lawn mower or weed whacker hit | | | | or shrub to aid in protecting the roots, trunk and |
| the bark they can cause damage to the tree. By | | | | branches. 3 inches of mulch is sufficient to achieve |
| hitting the bark these machines cause damage to | | | | this. Do not use white rock or other reflective |
| the bark as well as the vascular system. By | | | | material as this has the potential to scorch the |
| damaging the vascular system you cause the | | | | bark. |
| plant to be less effective in the movement of | | | | Step 2. Proper pruning at the correct time will |
| water and sugar which are vital to the health of | | | | encourage the growth of a stronger, more |
| the plant. By injuring the bark you cause the tree | | | | vigorous tree. |
| to divert energy from other systems such as | | | | Step 3. Stake larger trees or shrubs until they |
| branch and leaf development to healing the | | | | become established. Ensure you remove these |
| wound. As a result these plants have a tendency | | | | stakes in the second year to prevent girdling |
| to decline or eventually die. | | | | problems in later years |
| Roots can also be affected by mechanical injury. | | | | Step 4. Site location is important to prevent |
| Soil compaction occurs because of the increased | | | | damage from wind. If you choose an area that is |
| foot traffic. When soil compaction occurs it | | | | exposed to wind ensure you use a plant that can |
| decreases the amount of oxygen available to the | | | | tolerate high winds. If you can, provide some sort |
| root structure. Bad weather can also cause | | | | of windbreak. |
| mechanical injury. Large amounts of ice and snow | | | | Step 5. Although not a big concern, you can install |
| can build up during a severe winter. Large | | | | a lightning protection system for taller, more |
| accumulations of both of these can cause | | | | valuable trees. Contact a tree service company |
| branches to break. Lightning strikes can also | | | | for more information on this. |
| damage or kill a tree. Normally lightning will not | | | | Step 6. Take a little extra time when cutting or |
| knock a tree down, but causes massive damage | | | | landscaping around your trees and shrubs. By |
| to the vascular and structural tissues, killing the | | | | being aware of the damage you can cause, you |
| tree or making it structurally unsafe. | | | | will lessen the chances of injuring your trees and |
| Solving the problem: | | | | shrubs. |