Bark stripped by construction vehicle

[rfwoodvt]

Morning!

Went to assess a construction damaged 14" dbh blue spruce Picea pungens yesterday.

Forklift tire rubbed against the trunk and tore the bark from about 18" above the buttress to the top of the buttress and only about 6 inches wide.

Since only about 13% of the circumference of the bark was lost on the trunk it falls well below the PNWISA TRACE thresholds. Therefore I'm comfortable in saying that the tree has a reasonable chance of survival from that perspective.

However, I'm drawing a blank regarding the damage to the top of the buttress. The damage is to very beginning, top, of one medium buttress root (about 2" wide where it starts at the tree and extends onto the buttress less then an inch) and is well above the soil line.

What sort of threshold might you folks use when it comes to damage at the tops of the buttress?

I'm not looking to condemn this tree but I do wish to provide the client with reasonable expectations, caveats and possibilities.

 

[mrtree]

I do not think there are any hard and fast rules that apply. The situation, particularly the age and health of the tree are most important factors in considering the extent of the damage and its impact. Further the future of the tree and site are all worth considering.

Considering that the rubbed up against the trunk it suggests that the lower limbs (2 to 3 m high) have been removed more than bark loss should be considered. It is doubtful that there has only been one vehicle under the tree and therefore compaction and/or root breakage is likely to be an issue (and should be assessed).

If the tree has not been protected during construction than is the owner really conserned? Are they willing to pay for things such as consultation (investigation time) and then mitigation such as irrigation, mulching, compost, aeration, fertilization, microbe innoculations?

We all know the general methods to help a bologically compromised tree, but can we charge for them?

 

[guymayor]

Agree w below. As for thresholds, >2/3 buttresses intact is one.

Vigor and ability to close wounds is a big factor. Wrapping to prevent drying is a thought unless pitch is flowing.
[ QUOTE ]
I do not think there are any hard and fast rules that apply. The situation, particularly the age and health of the tree are most important factors in considering the extent of the damage and its impact. Further the future of the tree and site are all worth considering.

Considering that the rubbed up against the trunk it suggests that the lower limbs (2 to 3 m high) have been removed more than bark loss should be considered. It is doubtful that there has only been one vehicle under the tree and therefore compaction and/or root breakage is likely to be an issue (and should be assessed).

If the tree has not been protected during construction than is the owner really conserned? Are they willing to pay for things such as consultation (investigation time) and then mitigation such as irrigation, mulching, compost, aeration, fertilization, microbe innoculations?

We all know the general methods to help a bologically compromised tree, but can we charge for them?

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[Frax]

In my experience with spruce, as long as they are growing in a place they like they can put up with huge damage to their trunk.
A spruce I used to pass every day to work had the bark removed entirely on one side by a car that sped out of control evading cops and smashed into a house and caught fire.

At first I thought this tree would be removed but it is coping just fine and will probably seal over.

It's prognosis seems good. Better than the two unfortunate men in the vehicle who both died.