If you are planning a construction project on your property and have existing trees, you might be wondering what you can do to protect them. People don’t always realize that construction can be harmful to trees in many ways.
There is more overt damage like bark or canopy injuries. But there’s also sometimes hidden damage like root injuries or even excessive soil compaction. It can take years for this damage to lead to a tree’s decline but it could be detrimental in the long run. Trees can begin to decline in appearance and health.
For that reason, you might be wondering how to protect trees during construction.
In this article, we’ll talk about things like how to dig around tree roots and how to protect a tree’s bark. One of the best steps that you can take is to have your tree assessed prior to construction even begins.
How to Protect Trees During Construction
Protecting trees during construction should definitely start with having an assessment performed by an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)-Certified Arborist. Since every situation is going to be different, an evaluation ahead of construction can help you determine if there are steps that can be taken to mitigate risks.
Sometimes construction crews cover tree bark with poles or wood as a means of tree trunk protection (or at least serve as a visual reminder to be careful near it). Bark damage can lead to future problems with decay and invite infestations of pests or disease. It’s important that construction crews are careful when using heavy equipment around your tree trunks.
The canopy can also become damaged during construction. If large branches get knocked down or broken during the construction process, it could lead to long-term health problems or even tree loss.
We’ll cover that in more depth next. The bottom line is that protection for trees during construction boils down to working with an ISA-Certified Arborist and having your trees assessed ahead of time. A customized solution can be developed for your specific property.
How Much Tree Canopy Can I Lose to Construction Without Killing the Tree?
This question is tricky because we’ve seen trees come back from terrible practices like tree topping, which is an outdated pruning method in which the entire tree canopy would be cut off. Even though this has been proven to be detrimental to the tree, there are landscapers that still do this.
While the tree might initially come back. Over time, it’s long-term health is going to be impacted. And as the tree recovers, it’s going to be highly susceptible to problems (like diseases and pests).
In reality, no more than 20 to 25% of the tree’s canopy can be safely removed without risking health concerns. If you’re going to lose more than 25% of the tree’s canopy during the construction process, it might be worth considering tree removal.
Although it would always be our preference to save a tree, if you’re going to end up damaging it to the point where it will decline over time (and possibly become a hazard), the safest option could end up being removal.
How to Protect Tree Roots From Excavation
Some of the most common causes of damage to mature trees are the result of damaged root zones. Look at the mature canopy of your favorite tree. Now, look at the ground beneath it. In most cases, the root system below the ground is equal to – or even greater – than the area comprised by visible branches and leaves.
Roots are the source of life for trees, instrumental in carrying water and nutrients throughout the tree’s structure. If the roots are damaged below, the tree will suffer above. It’s as simple as that.
You might be wondering: How close can you excavate next to a tree?
There is a rule of thumb for this called the “Tree Protection Zone.”
The ISA standard is basically for every diameter inch at breast height (DBH), it equals one foot of distance. So, a six foot caliper tree means you should stay six feet away to avoid root damage.
This is obviously going to get really tricky if you have large, mature trees on your property. It could be almost impossible to adhere to this rule.
Sometimes trees can survive some root damage. A lot of it will depend on the existing condition of the tree. If the tree is already struggling and has declined, it may be hard for it to bounce back from root damage. But if a tree is in really good shape, it could heal itself.
It obviously also depends on the severity of the damage as well as which roots were damaged. There are anchor roots and supporting roots that are more integral to the tree than smaller roots.
This is one of those situations where an assessment prior to construction can be beneficial. While there isn’t necessarily any way to protect tree roots from excavation (it’s not like they can be covered like the bark), steps can be taken to strengthen the tree’s health, like deep root fertilization.
A Certified Arborist can also walk the property before any heavy equipment is used and provide recommendations. We can mark the root zones of mature trees for you so equipment operators can do their work around the perimeter.
We’re also happy to speak with your construction foreman so he understands the bigger picture.
What if My Tree Was Damaged During Construction?
If your tree suffered from damage during construction, there is not going to be any magic cure that will immediately fix it. However, there could be supplements and additives that can be used to help promote faster healing.
While we’ve talked a lot about the importance of a pre-construction assessment, it’s also important that trees get a post-construction assessment so that any damage can be sought out.
If a limb is suddenly hanging, proper tree pruning could be needed to safely remove that limb. There are also cabling and bracing services that can sometimes be used to address damage and strengthen a tree during recovery.
Another way that trees are sometimes damaged during construction is a result of severe soil compaction from heavy machinery on your property. This is something people don’t realize has happened right away but down the road, you’ll start to see your tree suffer as it can’t get the moisture it needs from the compacted soil.
A Certified Arborist can talk about fixing compacted soil so that the trees in affected areas can still retain moisture.
In a worst case scenario, if a tree was severely damaged, it can be determined whether tree removal is necessary. As we mentioned before, that is something that we want to avoid when possible. However, any time that a tree becomes a liability to your property is a time that you want to consider removal.
Get Peace of Mind from Certified Arborists
If you are having construction performed on your property, you’ll gain peace of mind if you choose to consult with a Certified Arborist ahead of time.
Keep in mind that if you are having a new home built, you may have paid more for a wooded lot. People love being surrounded by the beauty of mature trees. They offer privacy, shade, and aesthetic appeal.
But if those trees end up being damaged or destroyed by construction, it defeats the purpose. Take steps ahead of time to be as proactive as possible.
At Joshua Tree Experts, we are always happy to schedule a consultation so we can take a look around and educate you and/or construction team leaders (if need be) about what’s growing on your site and which trees are the most important to preserve. We will leave you with a plan for protecting your trees once construction is about to commence.
When you hire a professional tree care service, they can perform assessments and help create a long-term plan that will provide the care needed for your trees. That means keeping them in optimal health for many years to come.
We believe you deserve to feel confident that your trees are getting everything they need. With the right choice in a tree company, you’ll be set up for success.
With the right care for your trees, you’ll gain valuable peace of mind. If you’re interested in having your trees inspected and their health assured, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 833-JTE-TREE.
