One of the major causes of tree decline and death that an arborist deals with is construction damage. People purchase houses on wooded lots for the great aesthetic value and energy savings that trees provide. Trees can add thousands of dollars to the value of the lot. Unfortunately, many or all of the trees may be lost in future years if proper steps are not taken to insure survival. Symptoms of decline are often not obvious to the homeowner for 3 to 5 years after moving on the property.
Before any construction is started, the decision must be made concerning which trees to save and which to remove. The decision to save certain trees for their value, health, & life span. To help save these trees, a fence should be erected around the tree or group of trees at least out to their drip line or further to keep equipment and workers from compacting the soil, breaking limbs, and damaging trunks. If there must be traffic, lay at least 6 to 10 inches of mulch to minimize compaction. Excavation of utility lines and water pipes must be routed around these trees also. If roots are severed, a clean cut should be made and soil backfilled immediately to minimize drying of the roots,
This is only a few things that help to decline mature trees, changing the grading is also damaging so we must look after our trees for our future, our children’s future, and their children’s future.