If you’re a homeowner you may be considering doing construction to your home. You also know that construction can be a real pain. Not only is your home constantly a mess, but you have to worry about the safety of your trees as well. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize just how important it is to protect their trees during construction.
In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for protecting your trees during construction. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your trees are safe and sound!
Is Your Tree Worth Saving?
The first step in protecting your trees during construction is to determine whether or not the tree is worth saving. Not all trees are created equal, and some may be more susceptible to damage than others.
Check on the health of your tree. If your tree is in good health, it may be worth protecting them. However, if your tree is in poor health, it may be time to consider uprooting the tree while you’re already getting construction.
The best way to tell if your tree is in good health, and worth taking the effort to save, is to call an ISA Certified Arborist, like TreeNewal. Our arborists can take a look at a tree before you start your construction and give you an honest assessment of whether or not it is worth saving.
Create a Protective Barrier Around the Roots
If you decide to protect your tree, the next step is to create a protective barrier. This barrier can be made out of many different materials, but it should be sturdy and able to withstand impact. Putting a barrier around the tree to protect the shallow roots to make sure your construction team is not digging in the nearby area, is a good idea.
Keep in mind that you will also need to cover any exposed roots as well. These roots provide important nutrients, so they should be protected with a tarp or other materials during construction work.
Limit Traffic Around the Tree
If you can, try to limit the amount of traffic around the tree. Construction equipment and workers can easily damage a tree if they’re not careful. By limiting the amount of traffic near your trees, you can help protect them from being damaged. If possible, create a designated “no-traffic” zone around your trees.
Do Not Drive Heavy Machinery Near The Root Zone
Make sure to speak with your construction crew to make sure they don’t drive heavy machinery near your trees. This machinery can easily damage the delicate roots of a tree. If you have to, consider hiring a construction crew that is experienced in working around trees.
What Do I Do if My Tree is Damaged
Now that you’ve finished your construction and taken efforts to make sure your trees are safe. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our trees will get damaged. The most obvious signs of damage are broken branches and torn bark, but these are usually not as fatal as the injuries we can’t see.
Almost all of the trees’ roots are in the top 6 to 24 inches of soil. If construction workers dug too deep or removed too much soil, they can damage the tree’s root system. This can lead to a loss of stability and even the death of the tree.
If you think your tree may have been damaged during construction, it is important to call an ISA Certified Arborist as soon as possible for a diagnosis. TreeNewal can you a check-up of your tree pre and post-construction.
Monitor Your Tree’s Condition
Once your tree is protected, you will need to monitor its condition closely. Make sure that the barrier stays in place and that no new damage occurs.
If there are any signs of stress or damage, contact a certified arborist immediately for an assessment. Most trees will die within several years of major construction. Contacting an ISA Certified Arborist before and after construction is essential to your tree’s survival.
Conclusion
Protecting your trees should be a focus while you’re considering construction on your home. By following these tips, you can ensure that your trees will be safe and healthy:
- Check if your tree is worth saving
- Set up a root barrier
- Limit traffic around the tree
- Do not drive heavy machinery near trees
- Talk to your construction team
- Contact an ISA-Certified Arborist if your tree is damaged
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact TreeNewal for a consultation. We are happy to help!
