If you happen to own a dog and tend to a garden at the same time, it's easy to understand the conflict that arises. Apart from wreaking havoc on your yard, your canine friend might also urinate on your trees and other plants. We have researched whether dog urine kills spruce as well as other plants, and here's what we've found.
Dog urine contains high concentrations of uric acid, salt, and ammonia which can potentially harm spruce and other trees. The extent of the damage depends on the tree's age or maturity, its location, and the urine amount or frequency of exposure.
Can your dog actually kill a spruce tree just by urinating on it? Read on and find out what our research revealed regarding the reasons how it affects spruce and other growths, how it might eventually harm the tree, and the ways you can protect the plant as well as prevent your furry friend from urinating on them.
How Does Dog Urine Affect Spruce And Other Trees?
Dog urine could affect a tree's bark, alter soil composition, and do considerable damage to the plant's root system.
The Tree Bark
One main function of bark is to protect the tree from insects, pests, and other forms of infestation. Dog urine is rich in uric acid, which is a precursor of nitrogen once it breaks down in the soil. Constant exposure would lead to a condition referred to as ammonium toxicity.
Initially, the surface will exhibit portions of fissures and cracking at the lower portion of the tree. The chemicals in urine will eventually soak the bark and cause it to peel off, exposing the tree's inner structure.
Once the cambium or the tree's growing layer becomes vulnerable, opportunistic parasites might impair its growth and cause considerable damage.
The Topsoil
Salt deposits would result in crusting which eventually renders the soil impenetrable to water and oxygen. Once the ground becomes too compacted, temperature regulation, moisture retention, and air circulation are considerably impaired.
Inasmuch as nitrogen is an essential element for plant and tree development, too much input would actually cause stress and impede growth.
The Root System
Salt will attract water away from the roots causing dehydration and eventual drought. Once the tree is deprived of adequate moisture, it may not be able to sustain itself since it is a necessary component to produce energy. Salt and nitrogen deposits will build up and cause root stress if the topsoil is constantly urinated on.
The roots below the portion of the saturated tree might eventually stop growing, and the structures it supports will exhibit unhealthy development. Younger trees could succumb and die if the situation is left unchecked.
Will Dog Urine Eventually Kill A Tree?
The three main factors that would determine if spruce or any other tree will eventually die from dog urine are the relative age of the tree, its location, and the amount and frequency of exposure.
Tree Age Or Maturity
A tree's age determines its sensitivity and capacity to withstand the toxicity of dog urine. Saplings and younger trees are more susceptible to damage because a larger bark surface area will be exposed to urine.
Mature trees already have an established root system that enables them to store enough nutrients as well as grow and survive even when soil conditions are poor. Only a small portion of the bark is vulnerable to ammonia, allowing the tree to fend itself.
However, regular exposure will render the tree susceptible to damage and eventually leads to its death.
Tree Location
The location determines the severity of the damage. Trees grown in public places, including parks, sidewalks, and along the neighborhood, have higher susceptibility and exposure to dog urine as opposed to those planted in your own yard or garden.
The reason being is that dogs do not only urinate on trees in public places to mark their territory, but also as a way of communicating with other canines.
Trees located in private lawns and backyards are exposed to only small amounts of urine. Smaller breeds do not pose a considerable threat unless the canine consistently urinates on the same tree.
The soil composition eventually changes and becomes too compact that the environment is considered to be unfavorable for the tree to grow and thrive.
Frequency And Amount
Continuous exposure to dog urine will kill a tree regardless of its age and location. Larger breeds tend to produce higher amounts of uric acid, salt, and ammonia as compared to smaller dogs.
How To Protect Trees From Dog Urine?
There are several ways to protect your spruce tree from the harmful chemicals in dog urine - training your dog, installing an enclosure, frequently hydrating the tree and applying mulch, putting additives to alter the urine composition, and using organic animal repellent.
Train Your Dog
The best method to protect trees is by training your dog to pee in a different spot. Positive reinforcement is necessary if you intend to condition your furry friend because showing anger will only stress your pet.
Begin with finding the right place - your concrete patio perhaps, driveway, or you may use a training mat. Every time your dog behaves like they are about to urinate, you can take them to the designated spot.
Walking your dog after meals (or daily) conditions them to urinate outside the house and away from your garden. But be sure to train them not to pee on trees, grasses, and other landscaping plants.
Do this regularly until your pet learns it is the right place, and be sure to reward them with treats.
Check out Washable Dog Pee Pads on Amazon.
Provide An Enclosure
There are structures specifically built to protect trees and other plants from animal urine and defecation. The product is usually made of metal and functions as an enclosure and barrier that keeps pets at a considerable distance away from the bark.
Check out plastic tree guard at Amazon.
In some parks, trees are enclosed with concrete barriers that double as a seat and resting areas for the people.
Water The Tree And Apply Mulch
Since the enclosure tends to provide more protection to the bark, it is necessary to add a layer of mulch surrounding the base of the tree. This way, soil composition will not be altered by the urine's chemical content.
Do not forget to water the growing medium thoroughly and let the soil be slightly dry before applying mulch. This way, you can wash away the urine content present on the ground. You might need to hydrate the soil more often right after you see your pet pee on the tree's base.
Change Your Dog's Water Diet
There are products designed to lessen nitrate or uric acid present in a dog's urine. It tends to lessen element intake harmful to the tree while keeping the grasses and hedges greener as well as finally removing those burnt patches visible on your lawn.
Quarried from Australia, dog rocks have been proven to be effective, all-natural, and not toxic to pets. Proper application of the product is important to achieve better results.
Rinse the rocks and submerge them in two large containers filled with water. It is necessary to let the product sit for at least 10 hours before using it to keep it effective. The merchandise can last for up to two months. Afterward, you will need to replace it with a new one.
Check out Dog Rocks on Amazon.
Use An Organic Animal Repellent
Though it may seem chemically harmful to pets, there are products made with organic ingredients safe for your dogs and other animals, as well as the plants you are growing in your garden.
The repellent is composed of spices that irritate their sense of smell and taste. Regular application is necessary for optimal effectiveness.
However, if you notice your dog has become used to the smell, you might purchase a repellent of a different brand so that they won't be conditioned to the odor.
Check out Organic Animal Repellent Granules on Amazon.
In Closing
Since dog urine is composed of uric acid, salt, and ammonia, it damages spruce trees as well as other plants if they are exposed for prolonged periods. To protect vegetation, train your dog to pee in a different spot, install an enclosure, and apply mulch around the tree's base. We hope the article has been informative.
You might also find these topics helpful: