HUG YOUR TREESIf talking to plants helps, what about hugging them? |
|
| In this context "hugging your trees" means caring for them, especially during new home construction. Over the past decades, we've witnessed the death of dozens of mature trees that could have easily been preserved with the proper precautions. | |
|
A few simple precautions will help most trees survive construction activities.
These precautions can be
narrowed down to 2 basic principles: 1. Protect the tree trunk 2. Defend the root zone
|
PROTECTING THE TREE TRUNK
It's just wood, isn't it? |
|
|
| DEFENDING THE ROOT ZONE
Roots don't breathe, do they? |
|
 |
To create a level
parking area, |
Cutting a few roots can't hurt, right? Most tree roots aren't as deep in the ground as most people think -- most roots are within two feet of the soil surface. Cutting roots in this area can cause serious harm to trees. A worst case scenario is digging a deep trench close to a tree's trunk, which can effectively remove 40% of the root system. This reduces the tree's stability, nutrient and water uptake, and leaves open root wounds that provide an entryway for disease pathogens. |
|
 |
Dieback of a tree's
crown |
|
Dieback at the branch tips |
 |
Summary:
|
|
| Prior to
excavating your new building lot, decide which trees you want to
preserve. In some cases, it won't be feasible to save trees that are
in the way. But for the trees that fit nicely on the building lot,
and provide some nice shade or screening, take some early steps to
provide protection: 1. Keep heavy equipment and big trucks off the root zone 2. Don't pile soil against the trunk or over the root zone 3. Avoid cutting trenches for utility lines close to the tree 4. Protect tree bark from heavy equipment and construction damage |
|
 |
Dead trees are known
as |
|
|
