What is killing my trees?  Why do all the trees seem to be dying?  This website answers these questions and more.  The truth is the people you are paying to serve you are doing the most damage to your trees.  There are many ways to kill a tree.  Don't kill your trees.

Ways To Kill A Tree:

Buy A Bad Tree
Often trees are grown improperly in nurseries.  Buyers trust the nurseries are held to some sort of standards to provide quality material.  Most people are surprised to find out there are few regulations regarding plant growth. 

Improper Planting
Plants are often planted improperly.  The most common problems associated with tree planting are planting too deeply and girdling roots (roots that choke the plant)

Excessive Pruning
By pruning too much at one time, the tree is not able to photosynthesize.  Heading (topping) cuts produce clusters of weakly attached limbs.  

Not Enough Pruning
Trees grown in urban environments are tempted to reach in all direction for light.  Proper pruning at all stages of growth for structure is vital for the tree's health.

Lawn Maintenance
Lawn mowers and string trimmers cause irrepairable damage to trees.  Homeowners often make the mistake of hiring the cheapest lawn maintenance company, and the price is paid in damage to the trees on the property.

Flower Beds and Gardens
Installation of landscaping can injure roots of trees and cause major problems.  A proper design should accomodate the space needed for tree root development.  

Irrigation
Sprinkler systems cause damage to roots while being installed.  Excessive amounts of water can also cause decay problems for the roots and trunk.

Construction of all kinds
Roots extend much further than most people think.  Construction work is the number one killer of urban trees.

Utility Line Installation
When utility lines are installed, the most common method is to trench a straight line, generally through the roots of the trees.

Soil / Grading
Removing soil removes roots with it.  Adding soil smothers roots and trunks.  It is a good idea not to allow grass to grow around trees either.

Tilling
Most of the roots are within the top few inches of soil.  Tilling the ground anywhere near trees will surely cut roots needed for uptake of water and nutrients, storage of carbohydrates, and anchorage support.

Fertilizing
Fertilization should be performed prescriptively, which means taking soil samples to evaluate what the tree really needs.  Over or under fertilization can cause big problems.