Last summer we visited a landowner who was concerned with the early-fall colour change several of the maples along his laneway displayed. Click here for related story.
Premature colour change indicated poor health for these maples. 
Closer examination revealed that property maintenance staff had severely damaged the bark and underlying tissue around the trunk at the base of the trees, while using a string trimmer to cut the grass close to the trees. This damage cannot be repaired.
Avoid using string trimmers around trees. 
Tree damaged by a string trimmer.
We revisited the property a few weeks ago and found that the trees had made an attempt to grow this year. Even with the cool, wet spring, they didn’t have a chance. Within a week’s time, the new leaves withered and turned brown. Without the vascular tissue to transfer nutrients and water from the roots to the emerging leaves, the trees will die.
Keep string trimmers away from your trees. Use mulches to control weeds.
