An important step in tree care is testing the soil. Your tree’s soil is like the foundation of your house – it needs to be strong and healthy in order to support everything else. Over time, soil can become depleted of essential nutrients and organic matter.

This can happen due to a number of factors:

• Overuse

• Improper pH levels

• Accidental Salination from Salt Runoff

• Compaction

What Does Soil Analysis Measure?

• pH levels - Acidic or alkaline levels - ideal range is typically between 6 and 7

• Nutrient content - Which nutrients are present and in what quantity

• Organic matter - Amount of decaying plant and animal matter in your soil which is important because it helps to aerate the soil and improve drainage

• Soil texture - How much sand, silt, and clay is present in your soil which affects how well your soil drains and how much water it retains

Benefits of Soil Analysis:
Soil analysis provides vital information about the nutrients and conditions present in the soil.

The benefits are:

• Determine which fertilizers to use

• Avoid overuse of fertilizers

• Save money by preventing plant health problems

• Helps maintain a healthy trees, lawn and garden