SAP Tree Care

Sap Soil Profiles

Every property is classified into one of five profiles. The profile drives the prescription — no inventing a fertilizer mix per property.

Profile A

Healthy / maintenance soil

Good root development, reasonable infiltration, adequate organic matter, no major deficiencies, acceptable pH.

Prescription

  • •Maintenance-level root health treatment
  • •Humic substances / biostimulant as appropriate
  • •Mulch maintenance at 2–4 in, pulled off the flare
  • •Monitor annually

Treatment calendar

  1. MarchRootHealth maintenance treatment + humic substances
  2. MayGrowing-season inspection, irrigation check
  3. JulyHeat/drought stress evaluation, biostimulant if warranted
  4. OctoberBiological / organic root-zone treatment
  5. DecemberCanopy and growth reassessment, re-score soil
Profile B

Compacted urban soil

High penetration resistance, poor infiltration, low organic matter, construction or traffic history.

Prescription

  • •Soil remediation before any increase in fertilizer
  • •AirSpade / radial trenching where warranted
  • •Organic matter incorporation + biochar where appropriate
  • •Humic substances and wetting / soil-conditioning treatment
  • •Mulch correction and biological amendments
  • •Irrigation management, then reassess

Treatment calendar

  1. FebruaryRoot collar excavation and root-zone evaluation
  2. MarchAirSpade / radial trenching + organic matter and biochar
  3. AprilHumic + soil conditioning treatment, mulch correction
  4. MayReinspection + irrigation adjustment
  5. JulyHeat/drought stress evaluation + biostimulant if appropriate
  6. OctoberRootHealth biological / organic treatment
  7. DecemberCompaction re-test, canopy and growth reassessment
Profile C

Nutrient-limited soil

Lab results or symptoms indicate specific nutrient problems.

Prescription

  • •Targeted nutrition based on the actual deficiency and species
  • •Verify soil pH and root health before adding NPK
  • •Chlorosis + high pH → iron availability strategy, not more nitrogen
  • •Foliar or soil-applied micronutrients as indicated
  • •Re-test to confirm response

Treatment calendar

  1. FebruarySoil + foliar sampling, confirm deficiency
  2. MarchTargeted nutrition application (species specific)
  3. MayResponse inspection, foliar follow-up if needed
  4. JulyMid-season foliage evaluation + biostimulant
  5. OctoberRoot-zone biological treatment, fall nutrition if indicated
  6. DecemberRe-sample and reassess
Profile D

Biologically / organically depleted soil

Low organic matter, disturbed site, little litter cycling, poor structure.

Prescription

  • •Organic soil enhancer
  • •Humic substances
  • •Beneficial microorganisms where appropriate
  • •Mycorrhizal product when justified
  • •Kelp / biostimulant
  • •Mulch and organic matter management

Treatment calendar

  1. MarchOrganic soil enhancer + humic substances
  2. AprilMulch/organic matter build-up over root zone
  3. MayBeneficial microorganisms / mycorrhizal application
  4. JulyKelp biostimulant, drought stress evaluation
  5. OctoberRootHealth biological / organic treatment
  6. DecemberOrganic matter re-test and reassessment
Profile E

Drainage / root-zone failure

Waterlogged soil, severe compaction, buried root flare, grading problems or excessive irrigation. Correct the site first — do not fertilize a suffocated root system.

Prescription

  • •Correct the site problem first
  • •Drainage correction
  • •Irrigation adjustment (reduce water near trunk)
  • •Root collar excavation
  • •Grade correction where feasible
  • •Compaction remediation, then nutrition and biology

Treatment calendar

  1. FebruaryRoot collar excavation / evaluation
  2. MarchDrainage + grade correction, compaction remediation
  3. AprilSoil remediation, humic / organic amendment, root-zone conditioning
  4. MayReinspection + irrigation adjustment
  5. JulyHeat / drought stress evaluation + biostimulant if appropriate
  6. OctoberRootHealth biological / organic treatment
  7. DecemberCanopy and growth reassessment