Preserving Trees During Construction
Because trees add so much value to your home and property it is important to take special precautions during construction.
Saving trees makes sense. Careful planning, solid communication and a basic understanding of what keeps trees healthy can save your trees during construction.
The evidence supporting tree preservation is overwhelming, yet builders continue to strip the sites they build on. Many builders like working with a clean slate. They want unrestricted access to all parts of the site and prefer to plant new tress later in the project. Sadly, when homeowners chose trees to preserve they are often lost due to proper tree preservation was left out of the master plan. Trees often look perfectly healthy, 3 or 4 years after construction. However, unintentional construction damage has them marked for the chipper. Damaged trees effect plant health leaving them vulnerable to invasive pests and diseases. It pays huge dividends through improved curb appeal, enhanced reputation, and wider profit margins. Site development that preserves trees requires careful planning and thoughtful communication between all the members of the construction team. First, you must understand how to protect the tree. That’s where McAllister Arbor Care can be a valuable part of your construction plan.
The most obvious signs of declining plant health is visible in the stem, branches and leaves, however root damage is hard to detect and is most harmful to plant health. The result is unsuspected death of the tree. Valuable trees often die several years after the project is complete. Homeowners mistakenly think their favorite tree has a disease. There is no association made between a thinning crown and the long-forgotten construction project.
There’s a stiff penalty for unintended damage. It costs 10 times more to remove a tree near a house compared to the same tree on an open lot.
Effective tree preservation must be integrated with the project design and land development process. Hire McAllister Arbor Care who works with residential construction projects and knows what builders are up against. I understand both the trees needs as well as the builders. I can help you decide what is best.
A professional arborist knows:
which trees are healthy, need pruning or need removal
which trees will survive proposed changes in landscape
how to accomplish development goals, minimizing injury
which trees pose a hazard due to weak root systems
which trees have invasive roots that threaten pipes, utilities and foundations
which trees are pest and disease resistant
which trees will provide the most aesthetic benefit.
how to protect the trees that are valued.
where to plant new trees; and how and where to transplant existing trees.
Make it clear that preservation is important on this job and requiring everyone to work together.
Typical Protective Measures
Erect protective fencing around root zone prior to clearing.
Do not change the grade around trees.
Use pavement materials that allow air and water to pass.
Run utilities in a single raceway or trench.
Eliminate or minimize traffic in the protected areas. Build boardwalks.
Prohibit the storage of building materials and soil in protected areas.
Keep heavy equipment out of the protected zones.
Control competition among plants in sensitive areas.
Control storm water runoff.
Tree-care Duties:
Remove unwanted trees.
Prune and improve saved trees.
Reduce crown to minimize impact on root zone reduction
Fertilize, water and aerate where needed
Root prune outside of protected root zone
Mulch where needed