What soil management technique improves root oxygen and drainage for trees in compacted urban soils?

What soil management technique improves root oxygen and drainage for trees in compacted urban soils?

• A. Core aeration loosens soil but can damage roots if overapplied.
• B. Core aeration is a general solution for all soils without exceptions.
• C. Core aeration relieves compaction and improves infiltration, but should be avoided on sensitive soils.
• D. Core aeration relieves compaction and improves root oxygen and drainage; avoid overuse on sensitive soils.

Answer: (D)

Core aeration loosens compacted soil and creates channels that boost air movement and water infiltration around the root zone, so tree roots receive more oxygen and drainage in challenging urban soils. The strongest choice notes both the benefit and the important caution: avoid overuse on sensitive soils. That balance—relieving compaction and improving root oxygen and drainage while limiting application on delicate soils—best matches how this technique works in practice. The other options miss either the drainage improvement, overstate universality, or omit the necessary caution about sensitive soils.

Core aeration loosens compacted soil and creates channels that boost air movement and water infiltration around the root zone, so tree roots receive more oxygen and drainage in challenging urban soils. The strongest choice notes both the benefit and the important caution: avoid overuse on sensitive soils. That balance—relieving compaction and improving root oxygen and drainage while limiting application on delicate soils—best matches how this technique works in practice. The other options miss either the drainage improvement, overstate universality, or omit the necessary caution about sensitive soils.