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Our Custom Built Rock Saw Severs Roots to a depth of 5 feet (60 inches)

The Case for Root Trenching 

Oak Wilt spreads quickly through the interconnected root system of Live Oaks causing widespread destruction. Root trenching severs the root connections blocking the spread of the disease. Over the years, trenching techniques have been refined so that Oak Wilt suppression trenches (as they are commonly called) have become the most practical way to save large numbers of trees with the least expense on larger properties.

Experience and knowledge are key to the success of suppression trenches. Cutting the trench is only a part of the process. Placement and depth of the trench are critical. Without the proper tree knowledge, undesired tree mortality can occur from trenching damage as well as Oak Wilt. We have the experience and training to avoid these problems and install the trench properly.

A Successful Trench has Blocked the Oak WIlt

Proper Trench Placement

We thoroughly examine the Oak Wilt center and infected trees and measure the appropriate offset distances (usually 100 feet or more from the nearest symptomatic tree). Care must be taken to project disease advancement into the future so that barrier trenches are not outflanked quickly. On most projects, we use satellite imagery and GPS to build a map of the disease center and proposed trenching. Prior to starting the project, our trenching manager re-checks the line to avoid any errors with trench placement.

Clearing the Trench Path

We hand clear the trenching path. Our equipment is disinfected at the start of each day and between each Oak tree. We immediately paint all Oak wounds with a pruning sealer including any stumps.

Trench Installation can be Dusty

Trench Installation

Our company has two custom rock saws with rubber tires to minimize damage to your property. These machines cut a trench 4 inches wide and 60 inches deep. The trench is immediately refilled to reduce problems with an open trench. Trench depth is critical to success. Our trenches are 12 inches deeper than the minimum requirement of the Texas Forest Service and 6 inches deeper than the next largest rock saw available.

If deep soils are present, we may recommend the use of other excavation equipment to dig deeper. In deep soil areas, it is not unusual to find roots down more than 4 feet. In order to be effective, the trench must cut all the roots. 

While we work on your property, we are very mindful of tree health issues like critical root zones and proper pruning cuts on trimmed trees. That is one of the reasons we have ISA Certified Arborists managing your project.

The Finished Trench is Fairly Clean

Alternate Trenching Strategies

While the best practice is to encircle the disease center with a trench, property lines, topography and disease center size may preclude total containment. Blocking trenches can be installed to prevent advancement of the disease in a particular direction. In areas where the disease is widespread, creating a "protected island" using a trench to keep Oak Wilt out of an area may make sense.

Use our Trenching Expertise

Oak Wilt suppression is our specialty and we are tree care professionals. We’ve installed many miles of suppression trench. Many of those miles are in coordination with the Texas Forest Service. We fully evaluate the disease center and your property to develop the best possible approach to the problem. Both of our saws are owned, operated and maintained by us so we can complete your project faster.

Oak Wilt is a difficult problem for property owners. Call us and we’ll give you our perspective on an optimal trenching solution.