Arborists Provide Advice on Avoiding Tree Damage During Home Construction
For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact Sonia Garth:
(217) 355-9411 Ext 217
Arborists Provide Advice on Avoiding Tree Damage During Home Construction
Champaign, IL- A house built on
wooded property can be worth up to 20 percent more than the same house
built on property barren of trees. But with this benefit comes a
precaution: When building or remodeling a house on property where
there are trees, it is important to guard against tree damage during
the construction.
Construction work can be harmful to nearby trees, but unless the
damage is extreme, it is often difficult to detect, and it might take
years for a tree to deteriorate. This makes it difficult to correlate
the damage with the construction.
As a homeowner, the most important step you can take, is to
hire a professional arborist to assess a construction situation early
in the process. An arborist can work with you and your
builder to determine which trees can be saved and how to protect your
trees during each phase of construction.
How Trees Are Damaged During Construction
Trees can be damaged in a variety of ways during the construction
process. Construction equipment can injure the above-ground part of a
tree by breaking branches or tearing bark and wounding the trunk.
Also, the digging and trenching necessary to construct a house can
cause root damage. The severing of a major root can cause a loss of
5-20 percent of a tree’s root system. When significant digging
and trenching occurs, there is an increased chance of a tree falling
over.
Arborists point out that 90 percent of the fine roots of a tree that
absorb water and minerals are in the upper 6-12 inches of soil. Piling
soil over a root system or increasing a soil grade can smother roots.
In addition, the heavy equipment used in construction compacts the
soil, and which can dramatically reduce the oxygen levels essential to
growth and function of the roots.
Erecting Barriers
The ability to repair construction damage to trees is limited. The single most important action homeowners can
take is to set up construction fences around all trees they want to
protect.
These fences should be placed as far away from the trees as
possible, in order to protect the root systems. As a general
guideline, allow one foot of space from the trunk for each inch of
trunk diameter.
Instruct construction personnel to keep the fenced area clear
of building materials, waste and excess soil. No
trenching or other soil disturbances should be allowed in the fenced
areas.
Post-Construction Tree Maintenance
Most likely your trees will require several years to adjust to the
shock and environmental changes induced during construction.
Post-construction trees are more prone to health problems such as
disease and insect infestation. By talking with an arborist, you can
create a plan for continued maintenance during this critical time. By
monitoring your trees, and having them periodically evaluated, you can
greatly improve the health of your wooded areas.
Despite the best intentions and most stringent precautions, trees
can still be injured during the construction process. In this
instance, an arborist can suggest various treatments to reduce stress
and stimulate growth.
Getting Advice
By hiring a professional arborist early in the planning stage, many
of the trees on your property can be protected. An arborist can assess
the trees on your property, determine which are healthy and
structurally sound, and suggest measures to preserve and protect them.
To find an ISA Certified Arborist in your area visit the ISA website at www.isa-arbor.com. Other helpful information pertaining to tree care and maintenance can be found at www.treesaregood.com or contact the International Society of Arboriculture at 1-888-ISA-TREE, or info@isa-arbor.com.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a nonprofit organization supporting
tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Champaign, Ill., ISA is dedicated to the care and
preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist
or visit
www.isa-arbor.com.