7 Tips for Successfully Building With Trees

If you have decided to save trees during construction, the Arbor Day Foundation advises you to decide which trees you wish to save and remove before beginning.

1. Show the location of trees you want to save on a plat of your property. Enlist the help of an arborist or forester to help decide which trees to remove and which to save. Some species are more sensitive to change than others. For example, some species growing in shade may do poorly if changes result in more sunlight. Each species also differs in how it can withstand root cutting or how susceptible it is to insects and disease.

   In general, keep only those trees that are in good health. Save a mix of ages and sizes. Save groups of trees if you can rather than single trees.

2. 

   Harmonize your project with the natural terrain and the trees you want to save. Consider this natural arrangement when you plan the location of buildings, sidewalks and driveways. You might also want to transplant trees that are less than two inches in diameter and in the path of buildings and other features.

   In general, keep only those trees that are in good health.

3. Protect “save” trees from soil compaction and severed roots with barrier fencing of the critical root zone. Vehicles driving or parking over roots or construction materials stored over roots result in compaction of the soil which cuts off the air and water passages in the soil. Some cutting of roots near construction is inevitable but much is avoidable. For example, the routing of underground utilities does not have to follow a straight line from street to house. Route selection can often avoid important trees. When this is not possible, tunneling can be used to significantly reduce root damage.

4. Choose a builder who shares your commitment to saving trees and who has tree preservation experience. In building as in most other undertakings, experience matters.

5. Communicate your tree-preservation goals to everyone working on the project. Work with planners and architects, engineers and utility managers to place improvements where the impact on trees will be at a minimum. Meet with all foremen, contractors and sub-contractors who will work on the site. Be sure dozer operators, truck drivers and others are aware of tree preservation signs, fences and rules.

6. Provide aftercare to help trees recover from the stress of construction. Water periodically, especially in times of drought, and mulch the trees. Remove aggressive or noxious plants from natural areas.

7. In wildfire prone areas, break up solid areas of evergreens and avoid planting trees close to buildings. Keep trees watered, regularly pruned and in healthy condition. Prevent build-up of needles and dead branches. Visit Firewise for more information.

These tips and others can make your building project a success. To learn more, attend our Building With Trees Conference or a seminar at a site near you.