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A large transplanted live oak, braced and mulched, in a new community landscape

Soil, irrigation and establishment

Built soil. Hard water. Limestone underneath.

Most palm and tree research was not done on new construction, on limestone, or with lake water. Our work is. We measure the ground, the water and the roots, so the care you pay for has something to work with.

Request a site assessmentStart with chapter 1
1.75Soil density on new construction. Roots stop near 1.7. Forest soil reads 1.23.
46of 56Compaction readings that hit 300 psi within 6 in (15 cm) of the surface.
55lbSalt left on one oak’s root ball by one year of lake water.
pH7.5Above it, iron, manganese and zinc lock up in the soil.

Seven short chapters

From the ground up to the budget.

Each chapter is its own page, with the numbers first. Read them in order, or go straight to the question your board is asking.

  1. A penetrometer pushed into turf to read soil compaction1
    Chapter 1 · The groundBuilt soil, not grown soil.
    46 of 56

    Compaction readings that hit 300 psi within 6 in (15 cm) of the surface.

    Read chapter 1
  2. Both bubblers on one side of a new oak’s root ball2
    Chapter 2 · The waterA controller schedule is not proof of water.
    55 lb

    Salt left on one oak’s root ball by one year of lake water.

    Read chapter 2
  3. An air spade clearing soil from the base of a large tree3
    Chapter 3 · Roots and depthThe flare tells the story before the canopy does.
    over 6 in

    Buried deeper than 6 in (15 cm), a palm cannot root up to the new grade.

    Read chapter 3
  4. The same foxtail palm 11 months apart, yellow then green4
    Chapter 4 · NutritionAvailability before supply.
    pH 7.5

    Above it, iron, manganese and zinc lock up in the soil.

    Read chapter 4
  5. A large palm lifted by a crane during a transplant5
    Chapter 5 · EstablishmentWater is the lever.
    about 90%

    Of the root system stays in the ground when a large oak is dug and boxed.

    Read chapter 5
  6. Diagram of eight test points around a transplanted tree6
    Chapter 6 · The eight testsEight tests we can run, and where each one happens.
    8

    Tests on site. Seven read in the field the same day. One goes to the lab.

    Read chapter 6
  7. Inspecting new trees and palms at a home inside an HOA community7
    Chapter 7 · The planWater is the cheapest lever you have.
    20 to 30 yrs

    Of care in a typical treatment program before the cost equals replacing one tree.

    Read chapter 7

Most palm care research was not done on new construction, on limestone rock soil, or with irrigation water this hard. A lot of the water here comes from limestone rock lakes. Put those together and we are setting these trees up to struggle, not to succeed.

Jeff Kaulbars, ISA Certified Arborist

Next step

Pick the door that fits.

Start hereA site assessment

We walk the property, read the ground and the water, and rate the palms and trees.

Request an assessmentPlan itThe Master Plan

Soil, water, health and pruning work in one written 10-year plan, with an estimated budget each year.

See how the plan worksI sit on a boardFacts for board members

What a palm and tree plan does for the budget, and what to ask any vendor.

Read the board factsGo deeperLab and field testing

What we test, where we sample, and what the numbers mean.

What we test, and why

New trees and palms and declining trees

Find out whether the water is reaching the roots.

We check delivery, depth and soil, and write it into the free master plan: one written plan, 10 years.

Request the free master plan
A palm or tree declining now? Tell us what you see.
ISA Certified ArboristMember, International Society of ArboricultureMember, Tree Care Industry AssociationFlorida Nursery, Growers and Landscape AssociationLandscape Inspectors Association of Florida

ISA Certified Arborist #FL-10118A · TRAQ · Licensed Florida pest control business