Protecting Trees During Construction

At a glance..

Proper planning and action prior to and during construction will minimize damage to trees, allowing them to contribute to a healthy and pleasing landscape. This resource contains information on how you can protect trees from construction damage.

The details..

Trees add considerable value to homes and buildings. They provide shade, privacy, improve the landscape and attract wildlife. However, problems with trees often arise when construction begins. Most construction crews are not conditioned to notice or appreciate landscape trees and may inadvertently cause irreparable damage. This book offers simple steps that can be taken prior to and during construction in order for the tree's root space of a prized tree is preserved.

The first step is assessing existing trees on the site determining which ones are worth retaining; then designing approaches that consider these specific trees as assets rather than obstacles; finally providing sound maintenance throughout both pre- & post-construction phases.

When examining your property's current foliage it's important you study their health/vigor by looking out for visual signs of poor condition such as dying branch tips or split bark etc., remove any showing these signs plus those who have potential impact on proposed structure (altering sunlight/water/air temperature/root zone) before commencing work - this will save time/money later down line!

Once you've determined which tress should stay put - erect physical barriers around them so equipment operators don't bump/scrape/break branches while working nearby; avoid altering soil too much since roots adapt over time making changes stressful leading uprooted/sickly plants! Finally try routing trenches away from larger specimens if possible but use power-driven auger tunnel under smaller ones instead.