Terravention - What is it and do I need it?

A good question - If your large trees are showing signs of decline but
you don't want to cut them down then Terravention may be the answer.

Terravention is the name for the complete practice of tree and plant root
care. It involves a highly successful process that results in an effective
decompaction and aeration of the soil in the root zone of a tree or plant,
followed by an infusion of beneficial mychorhizal fungi and bacteria into
the freshly aerated soil. Finallyand the surface area of the treated
root zone/soil is adequately covered with a good mulch.
(when and where possible).

Terravention does not endorse the use any chemical fertilizers whatsoever,
and the use of any such product is therefore strongly advised against. There are
many possible detrimental side effects and environmental repercussions from
using any chemical products.

Terravention has been used to treat numerous trees throughout the UK and USA
and has been successful in saving trees such as the Cedrus Deodara (Deodar
Cedar) pictured here. This tree is located in The Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, London.

The tree produced on average extension growth of 25cm in the first year.

During 1997 the lower two thirds of the tree totally defoliated and the
remaining top third thinned to the current years needles. Following
inspection under the tree management system, it was placed on the removal
list for that winter. Roger Howard, the Arboriculture Manager for The Royal
Botanic Gardens, chose not to remove the tree but to de-compact the root
zone and inoculate with mycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria using Terravent,
followed by mulching the surface of the treated root zone area. Within the
same growing season, the tree had responded to the treatment and has
continued to recover ever since.

Terravention is now a permanent and major part of the tree care program at
the RBG Kew.