Why Does My Tree Look Sick? The Benefits of Air Spade Services: Improving The Rootzone Health Of Your Trees
- John Powell
- May 20
- 8 min read
Why Does My Tree Look Sick? What Are The Benefits Of Air Spade Services?
In the urban areas as well as the suburbs of Chicago, where young and old trees alike add character, shade, and significant value to our properties, protecting these natural assets is a wise investment. At Prairie Tree Care, we've seen how seemingly healthy trees can struggle beneath the surface, especially after construction, poor planting and mulching or years of soil compaction. Today, I want to help answer the question "Why Does My Tree Look Sick?" and share the benefits of air spade services, and how we can reveal and resolve hidden tree problems, potentially saving your most valuable landscape features.
Understanding What's Beneath the Surface
Trees are remarkable organisms that can often appear healthy above ground while suffering significant stress below. As a Certified Arborist with years of experience in northern Illinois, I've seen countless trees decline mysteriously, only to discover the root cause was literally at the roots.
Root systems are the foundation of tree health—they absorb water, take up nutrients, anchor the tree, and store energy reserves. When roots are compromised, the entire tree suffers, often showing symptoms only after years of decline.
Urban and suburban environments often set up trees for failure when it comes to a healthy rootzone. Limited space for water infiltration, high compaction, a lack of organic matter, and poor mulching practices are only some of the ways we see rootzone neglect slowly result in whole tree failure. Air Spade services can certainly help reduce these risks and reverse poor soil conditions if treated on time.
What Is an Air Spade and How Does It Work?
An air spade is a specialized tool that uses compressed air to safely remove soil around tree roots without causing damage. Unlike conventional digging tools like shovels or excavators that can cut through roots, an air spade gently displaces soil while leaving the roots intact.
The technology works by directing a focused stream of air at approximately 90-150 PSI through a specialized nozzle. This stream is powerful enough to break apart soil but gentle enough to preserve delicate root structures. The result is a non-invasive way to expose the root system for inspection and treatment.
Signs Your Trees Might Need Air Spade Services
Not sure if your trees are struggling beneath the surface? Here are some common indicators:
Thinning canopy or diminished leaf size
Early fall color or premature leaf drop
Slow growth compared to similar trees
Dieback in the upper branches
Visible decline following construction activity
Trees planted too deeply (no visible root flare)
Standing water around the tree base after rainfall
Cracked or heaving soil around the root zone
If you've noticed any of these symptoms in your prized landscape trees, especially those mature specimens that define your property's character, it may be time for a professional assessment.
The Top Benefits of Air Spade Services for Your Trees
1. Root Collar Excavation
Many trees in suburban landscapes are planted too deeply or have accumulated mulch and soil around their trunks over time. This common problem leads to what arborists call "buried root collars," which can cause:
Girdling roots that strangle the tree
Bark decay from constant moisture
Reduced oxygen exchange
Increased vulnerability to pests and diseases
Air spade excavation exposes the root collar (the area where the trunk transitions to roots), allowing us to address these issues before they become fatal to your tree.
According to research from The Morton Arboretum in nearby Lisle, Illinois, proper root collar exposure can extend a tree's life by decades and is one of the most overlooked aspects of tree care.
2. Soil Decompaction
Urban and suburban soils are notoriously compacted due to construction activity, foot traffic, and even the weight of lawn equipment. In the clay-heavy soils common to northern Illinois, this compaction can be particularly severe.
Compacted soil restricts:
Root growth and expansion
Water infiltration
Oxygen availability
Beneficial soil organism activity
Our air spade service can break up this compaction without harming your tree's roots, creating channels for air, water, and nutrients to reach the root system. Studies show that soil decompaction can increase root growth by up to 40% in the following growing season.
3. Root System Assessment
Perhaps the most valuable benefit of air spade services is the diagnostic information it provides. By carefully exposing the root system, we can:
Identify girdling or circling roots
Detect root diseases or decay
Assess structural stability concerns
Evaluate root distribution patterns
This detailed assessment allows us to develop targeted treatment plans rather than guessing at problems. In many cases, this has saved homeowners in Chicagoland thousands of dollars by addressing specific issues rather than removing and replacing mature trees.
4. Enhanced Fertilization and Soil Amendment
Traditional surface applications of fertilizers and soil amendments often don't reach deep enough to benefit stressed trees. Following air spade treatment, we can:
Apply nutrients directly to the root zone
Incorporate organic matter and beneficial microorganisms
Add specialized amendments based on soil test results
Create optimized soil conditions for recovery
This precise application ensures your investment in tree care delivers maximum benefits where they're needed most.
Protecting Trees During Construction and Development
In Chicago and the suburbs, development and renovation projects are common threats to established trees. Construction activities can damage up to 40% of a tree's root system without showing immediate symptoms.
Air spade services before, during, and after construction projects can:
1. Document Pre-Construction Root Conditions
Before breaking ground, we can document the existing root structure to establish baseline conditions and identify potential risks.
2. Precisely Locate Critical Roots
When trenching for utilities or foundations is necessary, air spade excavation can identify critical structural roots that should be preserved, allowing for slight adjustments to plans that can save trees.
3. Assess Post-Construction Damage
After construction, we can evaluate root damage and develop appropriate recovery plans to mitigate stress and support healing.
The International Society of Arboriculture notes that preserving mature trees during construction can increase property values by 7-19%. With the average mature oak in our region valued between $20,000-$40,000, protecting these assets makes financial sense.
Air Spade Services for Heritage and Landmark Trees
Throughout Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and other western Chicago suburbs, historic and landmark trees hold special significance. These irreplaceable specimens often face complex challenges from changing environments and urban pressures.
Our specialized air spade treatments for heritage trees include:
Customized soil amendment programs
Radial trenching to improve root growth conditions
Installation of aeration systems for ongoing soil health
Integration with advanced monitoring technologies
Through these services, we've helped preserve numerous significant trees throughout the Fox River Valley, including several trees over 150 years old that provide living connections to our regional history.
The Prairie Tree Care Difference
While air spade technology is available to many tree services, the expertise to properly interpret what's uncovered and develop effective treatment plans requires specialized training and experience.
As a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) arborist with over two decades of experience in the unique conditions of northern Illinois, my approach combines:
Detailed site analysis
Tree species-specific considerations
Soil science expertise
Long-term management planning
Preservation of historic landscape character
Commitment to sustainable practices
This comprehensive perspective ensures we're not just treating symptoms but addressing underlying causes to preserve your trees for generations to come.
When Is the Best Time for Air Spade Services?
In our region, the optimal timing for air spade work depends on your specific goals:
Spring (April-June): Ideal for general decompaction and pre-fertilization treatment
Summer (June-August): Best for diagnosing unexplained decline or stress
Fall (September-October): Optimal for post-construction recovery and soil amendments
Winter: Generally avoided except for emergency diagnostics
For most homeowners in Chicagoland, scheduling air spade services in early spring before the growing season begins maximizes recovery potential.
The Investment in Air Spade Services
When considering the value of mature trees on your property (which can range from $5,000 for a young ornamental to $50,000+ for a mature oak), air spade services represent a modest investment in protecting substantial assets.
While the cost varies based on tree size, project complexity, and specific treatments, most residential air spade projects range from $800-2,500—a fraction of the cost of removing and replacing a mature tree, which typically starts at $3,000 and can exceed $10,000 for large specimens.
More importantly, preserving established trees maintains the character and value of your property that can take decades to replicate with new plantings.
Is Your Tree a Good Candidate for Air Spade Treatment?
Not every tree situation warrants air spade services. Trees that are good candidates include:
Valued mature specimens showing unexplained decline
Trees impacted by recent construction or landscape changes
Heritage trees worthy of preservation efforts
Trees with suspected root collar disorders
Specimens in highly compacted soil areas
Trees with high landscape or emotional value
The best way to determine if air spade services would benefit your specific trees is through a professional consultation and assessment.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Practices
At Prairie Tree Care, our air spade services reflect our commitment to ecological responsibility and land stewardship. Rather than defaulting to removal and replacement, we prioritize preservation and recovery whenever possible.
This approach not only maintains the environmental benefits of mature trees—like carbon sequestration, stormwater management, and wildlife habitat—but also honors the decades of growth invested in these valuable assets.
In Conclusion: Investing in the Future of Your Landscape
The trees on your property represent both a significant financial investment and an important connection to place and history. As development pressures in Chicago and the suburbs continue to intensify, protecting these assets becomes increasingly important.
Air spade services offer a specialized solution for diagnosing and addressing hidden root problems before they lead to costly tree failure or decline. By preserving your mature trees, you're maintaining property value, environmental benefits, and the distinctive character that makes your landscape special.
At Prairie Tree Care, we're committed to providing the highest level of expertise to help you maintain healthy, safe, and beautiful trees that will continue to enhance your property for generations to come. We invite you to contact us for a personalized consultation to discuss how our air spade services might benefit the trees you value most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Spade Services
1. How long does an air spade service typically take?
Most residential air spade projects are completed in 1-3 hours per tree, depending on the size and scope of work. Larger trees or those requiring extensive root collar excavation may take longer.
2. Will air spade services damage my lawn or landscape?
While air spade work does displace soil, we take careful measures to contain the area and protect surrounding landscapes. We also assist with cleanup and can help restore disturbed areas with appropriate mulch or soil replacement.
3. How soon will I see results after air spade treatment?
The timeline for visible improvement varies by tree species and condition. Some trees show noticeable improvement in canopy density within one growing season, while others may take 2-3 years to display significant recovery.
4. Is air spade treatment a one-time solution or ongoing maintenance?
For most suburban properties, air spade treatment is an occasional intervention rather than regular maintenance. Many trees benefit from treatment every 5-10 years in urban settings, though trees in construction zones or highly compacted areas may need more frequent attention.
5. Can air spade services save a tree that's already in decline?
The success rate depends on how advanced the decline is and its underlying causes. When problems are caught early, our success rate exceeds 85%. Trees with advanced decay or severe structural issues may have lower recovery prospects.
6. How does the air spade process affect the tree's stability?
When properly performed, air spade excavation does not compromise tree stability. In fact, by identifying and correcting root problems, the treatment often improves long-term structural integrity.
7. Are there situations where you wouldn't recommend using an air spade?
Yes, we don't recommend air spade services for trees with severe infections that could be spread through soil disturbance, extremely unstable trees where root exposure might create immediate hazards, or trees already in irreversible decline.
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