The Role of Microbes in Tree Health: A Vital Connection

September 26, 2024

As we delve into the world of trees, it’s easy to overlook the tiny heroes that play a crucial role in their health: microbes. These microscopic organisms are fundamental to the well-being of trees and their surrounding ecosystems. Here’s why understanding and nurturing microbial life is essential for tree health.

1. Nutrient Cycling

Microbes are key players in breaking down organic matter, such as dead leaves and wood. This decomposition process releases essential nutrients back into the soil, making them available for tree roots. Healthy soil teeming with microbes ensures that trees receive the right balance of nutrients needed for growth. When applied in the fall, these microbes work throughout our winter months breaking down vital nutrients that are available to plant roots as soil heats up. In our Southern California climate, activity in the soil persists as opposed to other parts of the country where soils become too cold for activity.

2. Soil Structure Improvement

Beneficial microbes, such as fungi and bacteria, contribute to soil structure by forming aggregates. This improved structure enhances aeration, water retention, and root penetration. A well-structured soil allows trees to access water and nutrients more effectively, promoting overall vitality. Pore space is created by microbes, allowing roots to develop in even the most compacted soils. Consult with an Urban Forest Expert to identify you key issues and how to address them.

3. Mycorrhizal Relationships

One of the most fascinating aspects of tree health is the symbiotic relationship between roots and mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi attach to tree roots and extend their own filaments into the soil, increasing the surface area for nutrient absorption. In exchange, trees provide the fungi with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis. This partnership significantly boosts tree health and resilience. Our fertility plans include several microorganisms, mycorrhizae being a core component.

4. Disease Resistance

Microbes can also protect trees from harmful pathogens. Beneficial bacteria and fungi compete with harmful microbes for resources and space, effectively acting as a natural barrier. Additionally, some microbes can produce substances that inhibit the growth of pathogens, providing trees with an added layer of defense. Certain microbes can even break down the cell walls of fungal pathogens. Microbes out-perform the power of synthetic fungicides in many instances. Consult with our Urban Forest Experts to learn more about the power of proper tree and soil care.

5. Enhanced Water Uptake

Microbial communities in the soil help improve a tree’s ability to absorb water. Fungi, in particular, can access moisture from smaller soil particles that roots might miss. This increased efficiency is especially important during dry spells, ensuring that trees remain hydrated and healthy.

6. Promoting Biodiversity

A healthy microbial ecosystem supports greater biodiversity in the soil. This diversity creates a balanced environment where various organisms coexist, each contributing to nutrient cycling, disease resistance, and soil health. A rich microbial community is a sign of a robust ecosystem, which benefits trees and other plants.

Conclusion

The health of our trees is intricately linked to the invisible world of microbes. By fostering healthy soil ecosystems and recognizing the importance of these tiny organisms, we can ensure our trees thrive for generations to come.


Let’s celebrate the vital role of microbes in tree health and take steps to nurture them—your trees will thank you! Reach out to our team of Urban Forest Experts to unlock the magnificent potential of the trees in your landscape.


Happy fall tree care! 🌳🌿

TreeLife Investigators: Vol. 1 – Tree Root Traffic Jam

April 11, 2025
There are many forms of investigation in the professional world. Everyone has seen movies with crime scene investigations or read stories derived from investigative journalism. Many people know firsthand about the investigation that occurs when a doctor evaluates a patient. More recently, there are the computer technicians who investigate computer problems. But most people don’t know about the investigation that occurs daily in the little-known world of arboriculture. This story is about a TreeLife Investigator who was recently called out to a 'tree crime' scene. Most people would be surprised to learn that tree investigations occur regularly in many communities across the country. This story begins with a population of bottle trees (Brachychiton populneus), planted in a homeowner association parkway ten years ago, that were showing varying degrees of health decline. The management company representing the community’s board of directors wanted to know what was wrong with the trees, and they contacted TreeLife to solve the problem. An Investigator with TreeLife assessed the population of trees shortly thereafter and observed signs of secondary disorders in most of the trees. Many tree crowns appeared opaque, while others looked sparsely foliated. Leaf size was stunted on some specimens, and leaf tips were distorted and necrotic in others. The Investigator noted that all of the bottle trees had three or four “breather tubes” (aka “root aeration tubes”) placed within one foot of each trunk. The tubes were arranged in a non-uniform, non-symmetric pattern. Often sold as beneficials, “breather tubes” were known to be ineffective and generally harmful. They don’t improve soil aeration or water distribution as advertised, instead they usually lead to root and trunk damage. The TreeLife Investigator talked with a landscape maintenance account manager, familiar with the community, about the performance history of the trees. Purportedly their crowns would recover from the aforementioned secondary disorders each year only to decline or defoliate again.

Pest Notes, Vol. 1 – Pests are Secondary

February 14, 2025
Do insects and pathogens wake up in the morning, get their coffee and ponder on a balcony: “What do I feel like eating today?!” No. Quite the contrary. Trees and plants alike attract insects and disease when they are stressed in some form or fashion. Insects are electromagnetic in many ways, and pick up on vibrations present in odorants exuded by plants and other things in the environment. Disease only proliferates when conditions permit. In fact, pathogens can lay dormant in soil or debris, and are “activated” when stress provides an opportunity. Excluding invasive species, insects and pathogens are largely opportunistic, meaning they attack plants and trees that are providing an “opportunity” for them to host. Without some stress factor causing insect-attracting odorants to exude, opportunistic pests are generally uninterested in healthy trees. Moreover, pests do not “choose” their host; it is an electromagnetic phenomenon or symbiotic relationship between plant and pest. Plants and trees have been dealing with pests like fungi, bacteria and insects for millennia; and they have developed relationships of mutual sustenance, sometimes to the detriment of one or the other. Factors that TreeLife CA representatives consider when surveying any given set of trees are:
More Posts