What is an air spade and why is it better than digging?

An air spade uses a high-pressure jet of air to break up compacted soil around roots without cutting them. It lets us see exactly what is happening in the root zone — girdling roots, grade changes, soil anaerobia — and address it without additional trauma to the tree.

My tree was fine before nearby construction. Is the damage permanent?

Not always. Construction compaction and grade changes cause stress that builds over months and years, so trees often show symptoms 2-5 years after the damage. If addressed early, root zone treatment can reverse a lot of the decline. We give you an honest assessment of what is recoverable.

What are girdling roots and how do you fix them?

Girdling roots circle the trunk at or below grade, gradually choking off vascular flow as the tree grows. They are common in trees planted too deeply. We use air spade excavation to expose and correct them, which often produces significant improvement over the following growing seasons.

Does vertical mulching actually help?

In the right situation, yes. Vertical mulching involves drilling holes in the root zone and backfilling with organic material to break up compaction and improve aeration. It works best on trees in heavily compacted soils. We assess soil conditions before recommending it.

How long does it take to see results from root care?

Root care is not an overnight fix. Trees stressed for years typically respond over 2-3 growing seasons. You may see improved leaf size and color in the first season, with fuller canopy recovery in subsequent years.

Tree Root Care Columbus Ohio | Arborist Solutions

Most tree problems start underground. Root zone health directly determines how well a tree can grow, resist stress, and recover from damage. Our root care services address compaction, grade changes, construction damage, and girdling roots — problems that often go undetected until a tree is already in decline.

Air Spade Root Zone Treatment

Air spade technology uses compressed air to excavate the root zone without damaging roots. This allows us to remove compacted soil, amend with organic matter, correct girdling roots, and assess root structure that would otherwise be invisible. It is the gold standard for root zone work on valuable trees.

Vertical Mulching and Soil Amendment

For trees in compacted or clay-heavy soil, vertical mulching creates channels in the root zone filled with organic material — improving drainage, aeration, and microbial activity over time.

Air spade root zone treatment and soil aeration for tree health

Construction Damage Mitigation

Building projects near trees almost always affect root systems. We assess damage after construction, install root barriers before it begins, and develop a monitoring plan to catch problems early. If you are planning a project near a valuable tree, bring us in before the work starts.

Related Services

Root care is often recommended as part of a broader plant health care program. Trees with significant root zone damage may also benefit from consulting to assess long-term viability.

See our full pricing overview including tree root care costs — we break down realistic pricing ranges for every service we offer.