Construction damage
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CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE April 4, 2007 MISSOURI COMMUNITY FORESTRY COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING
Transcript of Construction damage
CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE
April 4, 2007
MISSOURI COMMUNITY FORESTRY
COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING
Why Preserve Trees?
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Benefits of Urban Trees:
Energy Savings
Property Value
Shade
Air Quality
Aesthetics
Quality of Life
Urban Wildlife
TREE BASICS:
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90-95% of a Tree’s Root System is located in the Top 3 Feet of Soil!
50% of a Tree’s Root System is located in the Top 1 Foot of Soil!!!!
These are mostly the absorbing roots that provide WATER and NUTRIENTS
3 ft 1 ft
Even though the tree may be left standing…..for now;
Major trauma to these roots will kill the tree!
Critical Root Zone (CRZ):
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The CRZ is the starting point when planning for tree protection.
The CRZ encompasses all tree roots out to AT-LEAST the drip-line of a tree.
Factors That Affect A Tree’s Tolerance to Construction
Activity
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Small size trees are typically more tolerant than larger sized trees (Crabapple v. Oaks)
Young trees are typically more tolerant than mature Trees
Species Vary in Tolerance
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Different Species
Have Different
Tolerance Levels
Tolerant Species Intermediate Species Sensitive Species
White Pine Colorado Spruce Black OakEastern Redcedar Catalpa Pin Oak
Green Ash Black Cherry White OakWhite Ash Kentucky CoffeetreeRiver Birch HawthornBoxelder Bitternut Hickory
Eastern Cottonwood BasswoodAmerican Elm Sugar MapleSlippery ElmHackberry
HoneylocustBlack Locust
Red MapleSilver Maple
Bur OakRed Oak
* From University of Minnesota Extension
Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground:
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Inventory all the existing trees and identify: Species, Size, Location, and Condition. (Use site plan or create a map…aerial photos)
Understand and mark where ALL Construction Activities will occur on the site and how they will affect the tree population. (Grading, traffic, material storage, irrigation lines, utilities, etc)
Note Trees to be Preserved; Encourage the developer/ architect to consider possible alternatives in order to save more desirable trees. Create an ACTION LIST for preserved trees.
Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground:
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Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground:
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Inventory all the existing trees and identify: Species, Size, Location, and Condition. (Use site plan or create a map…aerial photos)
Understand and mark where ALL Construction Activities will occur on the site and how they will affect the tree population. (Grading, traffic, material storage, irrigation lines, utilities, etc)
Note Trees to be Preserved; Encourage the developer/ architect to consider possible alternatives in order to save more desirable trees. Create an ACTION LIST for preserved trees.
Keep trees as healthy as possible before construction. Simply watering, mulching and dead-wood pruning a tree can vitalize a tree and limit future stress.
Tree Number Species
Diameter (in) PROTECT?
Root Pruning Comments
1 Sweetgum 18 YES Install fence as shown
2 Sweetgum 18 YES YESRoot prune along edge of proposed driveway. Install fence as shown.
3 Sweetgum 16 YES Install fence as shown4 Gingko 18 YES Install fence as shown
5 Walnut 14 YES YESRoot prune along limit of disturbance line (or remove tree).
6 Walnut 16 YES Woodland tree within protected area7 Black Cherry 14 NO To be removed8 White Oak 14 YES Woodland tree within protected area9 Black Cherry 12 NO To be removed
10 Green Ash 18 YES YESRoot prune along limit of disturbance line (or remove tree).
TREE PROTECTION ACTION KEY (for trees >12")
PROTECTION PROCEDURES:
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Create and follow a plan!
Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones
Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required
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As a general rule, the Critical Root Zone should extend at least to the drip-line of a tree.
If the CRZ can not be protected…
Disturbance may come as close as 5 times the diameter of the protected tree on ONLY ONE SIDE!!
5x…then protect the rest!!
PROTECTION PROCEDURES:
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Create and follow a plan!
Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones
Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required
Fencing, Root Pruning, Limb Pruning, Chemical Treatments (Cambistat)
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FENCING
It is important to prohibit heavy machinery traffic, material storage and other such construction stress within the
Critical Root Zone!!!
Use tree protection signs to communicate!
Fencing can be used to restrict traffic to designated routes.
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ROOT PRUNING
If compaction, excavation, or soil filling must occur within the CRZ….root prune and fence along the limits of disturbance.
PROTECTION PROCEDURES:
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Create and follow a plan!
Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required
Fencing, Root Pruning, Limb Pruning, Chemical Treatments (Cambistat)
Grade Changes
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Soil Compaction
Trenching & ExcavatingTrenching & Excavating
Construction Related Stress Factors:
Soil Compaction
Grade ChangesGrade Changes
Grade Changes
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Soil Compaction
Trenching & ExcavatingTrenching & Excavating
Soil Compaction
Grade ChangesGrade Changes
Construction Related Stress Factors:
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Construction Damage Results In:
No Root Flare
Wilted/Scorched Leaves
Drooping Branches
Early Fall Color
Premature Leaf Drop
Water/Sucker Sprouts
Flowering out of Season
Abnormal Die-Back
Stunted Annual Growth
Treatments for Stressed Trees After Construction:
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Water
Aerate
Fertilize (careful!)
Mulch
Prune Dead Limbs
Thin Crown
Remove
Drill 2 inch Diameter Holes Spaced 2 ft Apart
Don’t let this be your job site!!
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INSTEAD…..
Make sure the final results are something you and your client are happy with!!
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