Construction

Many construction activities are harmful to trees by causing soil compaction and mechanical damage. Advanced planning can protect your trees without limiting a project. Limiting stress prior to construction is much easier than trying to alleviate damage. In other words, prevention is the best treatment.

Construction damage can:

• Decrease water filtration causing water stress
• Reduce oxygen levels in soil killing roots
• Make a tree vulnerable to other insect/disease and abiotic stresses
• Take 2-5 years before symptoms appear

Trees in decline due to construction damage

Basic strategies to limit damage to trees include:

• Avoid storing materials and machinery directly under trees
• Encourage the use of a single path for heavy machines
• Use mulch to limit compaction
• Water trees frequently

Tree preservation starts before construction