5 Tree Myths

There are many myths about trees that have been spread like fertilizer through communities. We made a list of the top 5 myths that we hear and explained why they aren’t true. If you have any questions or concerns about trees on your property, make sure to call a professional at Ivan’s Tree Service to get the correct information.

Myth #1: There’s no harm in tree topping.

Tree topping is very harmful to the tree and can lead to weak or stressed trees. It can also lead to killing the tree completely.

Myth #2: Trees drink a lot of water.

Younger trees need more water than adult trees, but the amount of water is a lot smaller than you think. Adult trees only need about 10 gallons of water a week during the dry season but be careful not to over water. More trees drown than die of drought.

Myth #3: Trees are self-healing.

Trees use a mechanism called compartmentalization, where they isolate the damage done to the tree from the healthy parts of the tree. The damage never actually heals.

Myth #4: The root system on a tree is a mirror image of the top.

Tree roots do not go as deep as some people might think. Tree roots are large right around the base of the tree but taper off quickly to fine feeder roots. These roots are usually in the top 50cm of the soil and spread 2-3 times the width of the canopy of the tree.

Myth #5: Trenching or tunneling near a tree is okay.

Something as simple as installing a sprinkler system in your yard can end up being dangerous to a tree. Any damage done to a tree’s roots puts the tree’s life in danger. Make sure to place anything that goes into the ground outside of the tree’s dripline.

You can contact Ivan’s Tree Service your tree service needs. They have tree professionals that will work with you to find the best plan of action for your situation. Call or text: 651-485-6870