I recently joined a local team of Philly volunteers to uncover buried root flares and to decompact the pit soil around the base of these swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) at Independence National Historical Park. Soil compaction and planting a tree too deep can cause a number of issues. If possible, you can cultivate the soil in your tree pit every so often to loosen up any soil that may be compacted, which will allow more water and air into the root zone. Thanks to Penn State Extension Master W