Pre-Construction Ideas and tips

Taking precautions before construction begins can greatly reduce the stress on your trees when you invade their space. It could take 3 to 5 years before construction damage shows possible irreparable damage to your trees. Here are some things to think about before breaking ground:

1. Route utility trenches around the root zone.
2. Designate one entrance and exit from the site. (Those trucks are HEAVY!)
3. Choose alternative materials for driveways and sidewalks, like flagstone, gravel, or pavestone.
4. Learn proper pruning techniques or hire someone with those skills, notably a Certified Arborist and not Joe Bob with a pickup and a chainsaw!
5. Prohibit cleaning of concrete trucks and painting equipment on site. that's what landfills are for.
6. Wire some kind of protection to tree trunks, like 2x4's or plywood, then install a fence at the edge of the canopy. Barbed wire is good, razor wire is very good!
7. Fertilize before construction begins, and every spring and fall for about three years after.

Asphalt and Root Systems
Asphalt puts a quadruple whammy on tree root zones. This is what happens:

1. The soil is compacted as much as humanly possible.
2. Molten asphalt, hot enough to parboil a trout, is poured right on top of the tree's root system.
3. Petrochemicals are leached into feeding roots.
4. A horizontal dam is created that keeps all the water away from the roots.

Yes, we need asphalt. But now that you are aware of the process, you may want to try an alternative like flagstone, gravel, or paving stones to keep your tree's roots, and thereby the tree, happy and prosperous for ages to come.

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