🚀 go-pugleaf

We may get into a religious thing here,  they both do in a sense.  And
both are important in their own place.  Heres something else I wrote. 
BTW Grass roots grow deeper than non-woody roots of the tree and this is
a problem for the tree.  Do not remove the grass once under the tree see
mulching on my web site.  The trees developed in the forest and the
grasses in the fields and man has mixed them.


THE STEW
We believe, if we have a bowl (regardless of how the bowl came into
existence)and in this bowl we have given amounts of ingredients, known
as STEW, (Space, Temperature, Elements, & Water)  a system would develop
to optimize the suns energy.  When we change the amounts of any or all
the STEW,  then our system begins to operate at about the means in which
it was designed.  (STRESS) If this continues then the system begins to
operate beyond the means in which it was designed.  (STRAIN) We can
reverse stress but we cannot reverse strain.  This is a little more
important when we get to tree care.  Because most of our GARDEN plants
are replaced next year and the tree must have stored enough energy to
continue growth for many years to come.  Remember, every action takes
energy and the energy is in the form of glucose which comes from the
sun. 
	When we take our garden plants and our trees and take away the organic
matter from the soil in attempt to replace it with chemical fertilizers
we are depleting our soils and therefore upsetting the STEW and inviting
fungus and pest to do what they do best  "CLEAN UP". See, in nature when
one system begins to operate inefficiently, another system will come and
take over.  
	In nature,  when a tree becomes stressed,  it begins to reduce in
size.  101 physics says you must have enough energy to support your
mass.  So the tree reduces in size.  Unfortunately the first thing we
have begun to do is add the chemical element Nitrogen to increase the
size of the tree.  The only thing nitrogen is capable of doing is making
trees grow big,  green,  and fast.  
So they say more green tissues than more photosynthesis and energy.  But
wait a minute be cause there is the LAW of diminishing returns.  I
believe that 90% of the sucking insect problems are due to chemical
fertilization in trees and crops.. Nitrogen has always been a limiting
factor.  Until around 100 years ago the trees would whenever they
could,  use all the nitrogen available because it was only available in
limited quantities. (I believe this is the same in our garden products) 
Now we have begun to bring in chemical fertilizers and the trees and
garden plants can't use it and it becomes available in high amounts,
consequently the insects love it.  For example take a Christmas Tree
grower who adds excessive amounts of Nitrogen to gain 4" of growth and
he ends up with a whole list of sucking insects he has to treat.  Where
is the money advantage to all of of this?  Nitrogen is not cheap nor are
the pesticides.  Much more expensive then income from 4" of growth.
The bottom line is that organic materials help the soil,  and I know of
no proof that chemical fertilizers do.


GRASS AND TREES
Trees developed in groups and grasses in the fields.  Man has now begun
to mix grasses and trees.  The trees do not have a symbiosis
relationship with the grasses.  What is good for one may not be good for
the other.  Grass does not add much organic material that the tree can
use.  However, fallen leaves and dead twigs (mulch) do.  Grass takes
water and elements from the soil around the tree while mulch will reduce
soil compaction and retain water.  We should not plant grass near
trees.  In a sense grass will kill a tree by depletion of needed
elements and water.  Mycorrhizae (root-fungus) that facilitate the
absorption of water and elements flourish in leaf compost and not in
grass.  I have traveled around the country looking at these little
wonders under microscopes.  There for, not only are the grasses taking
water and elements, but the preferred homes of the mycorrhizae are raked
away every year leaving only grass to compete and not facilitate.  Many
trees and grasses also have different pH needs and when people lime the
acid loving tree,  the needed elements are just much more tied up and
not availably. So often the problem is thought to be lack of elements in
the soil.  Lawn mowers and string trimmers are not friends of trees
neither are the chemicals put down to get rid of so-called weeds in the
grass.  If you need a healthy tree I suggest always, do not plant grass
or flowers near your tree.  Just look at all the people with pest and
fungus problems.  How many can you count that have grass and flowers
under the trees?
Call us for other ORGANIC FACT SHEETS on pruning and other tree care
information.  

KESLICK & SON MODERN ARBORICULTURE PRODUCTS & SERVICE
ORGANIC FACT SHEET
214 N. Penn Street West Chester,  Pa 19380   USA
Phone # 610-696-5353
E-mail:"treeman@locke.ccil.org"
Check out our new WEB SITE at http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/
John Keslick Jr. Tree Biologist & Professional Arborist
F#grass1
-- 

John A. Keslick Jr.              If you are not OUTRAGED you're not  
Tree Anatomist & Tree Biologist                   paying attention.
Phone: 610-696-5353                    Support ORGANIC FARMERS.
organic tree treatment web site: 
http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/  OR  http://www.ccil.org/~kenm/env/