Questions about root zone damage.

[davepell]

Howdy,

I'm interested in other folk's experiences with these situations.

- 1-3 feet of soil added over a large tree's root zone
- 10-16 inches of soil (and roots) removed over half a tree's root zone
- a plate compactor being run over a tree's root zone and then used as a parking lot

These practices are going on with large western red cedars, douglas firs, and weeping willows. I'm looking for any experience with the timeline to decline I can expect. Thanks for any feedback.

Dave

 

[guymayor]

details needed--size and previous condition of trees

% of rootzone affected, % left undisturbed

Mitigation--is anyone going to try to undo the damage?

pictures would help a lot

 

[Knotahippie]

Larry Costello said somthing about mature, deciduous oaks and construction that may apply here.

Alot of these trees responded poorly in the SF Bay area.

Further south in visalia, many more survived.

A study was done.

Drainage is key here.

It may depend on depth to bedrock or to an impervious layer.

Survival may depending on the depth of soil that can remain aerated and nutrient holding.

A local geologist could tell about site soil horizons.