Construction

Land disturbance due to construction and other development activities are urban tree's biggest threat. Often trees that are singled out to be preserved are severely damaged during construction due to a lack of following some very simple rules Trees do not show the damage for years to come so it is difficult to access blame or liability.

photo courtesy of Arborguard Tree Speciailst

Follow these steps to ensure the health of trees near a development:

1) WALK THE SITE - Before your architect or engineer designs your site on paper, walk the site with them and a certified arborist. Decide which trees you would like to save, and have the arborist assess their overall health.

2) IDENTIFY TREES ON YOUR SITE PLAN - Choose the healthiest and best species of trees on your site, mark

these trees, and have a surveyor locate them on your site plan. Accurate location is essential, as the entire site will be designed around these trees.

3) PROTECT TREES WITH BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES - Sit down with an architect or engineer to discuss and sketch the placement of all buildings and associated structures that best protect the trees. Don't forget things like asphalt or concrete drives or patios, pools, and underground utilities. All of these can cause root damage if not located at a reasonable distance from the tree. The tiny "feeder" roots, which take in water and nutrients, require oxygen to live a

nd function properly. It is absolutely critical to protect these roots from disturbance. Since a great percentage of these roots occur within the drip-line (the edge of the canopy), having all construction and trenching done outside of the canopy best protects trees.

4) AVOID COMPACTION - Have the engineer or architect specify tree barricades around protected trees on the site plan. Barricades should be made of sturdy, high visibility material (such as orange safety fence) and are placed as close to the drip line as possible. These fences are critical for protecting feeder roots from being crushed by compaction of the soil from driving/parking vehicles near the trees. Compaction is a "silent killer".

5) SPECIFY TREE PROTECTION - Put a clause in your building contract specifying tree protection and penalties if protected trees are damaged or removed. Meet with your contractor and walk the site to review protected trees.

6) TAKE CARE INSTALLING ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING - Installing irrigation lines and plant material can also damage root systems. It is best to install them beyond the area(s) protected during construction. Ask your landscaper to follow the 7 principles of zeroscaping when designing your yard. Be sure to put in a rain gauge on your irrigation system. These measures help conserve water. Saving understory plants during construction helps preserve our native plant species and protects habitat.

7) STAY INVOLVED - Monitor the work being done on your site to be sure that tree protection guidelines are followed.