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Dear Pat: I have a heavily wooden lot and I am planning a major room addition. I am concerned about damaging some of the nearby trees. What tips should I give the contractor to minimize damage? - - Wanda L.
Dear Wanda: A naturally wooded lot can be a blessing. Relaxing in the serenity of a wooded backyard is just what the doctor ordered after a day at work and tending to family. Therefore, it is understandable you would want to cause as little damage to your trees as possible.
Tree damage is not generally apparent for up to two years after it occurs, so it could be difficult to determine if you contractor is responsible. Making matters worse, it can cost $1,000 or more to have a dead or weakened tree removed from your yard. You could also lose your tranquil spot and the resale value of your house could be diminished.
Before you begin construction, it would be wise to hire a professional tree consultant, or arborist, to meet with you and your contractor. Various species of trees are susceptible to various types of damage. During the landscaping inspection and meeting, you would be able to find out the best paths for heavy equipment to follow and where to clean and rinse equipment at the end of each workday.
It might also be smart to have written into your construction contract a clause to cover tree damage that is not apparent immediately. After meeting with an arborist, you will know which trees are most susceptible to damage and what type of damage might result from construction.
Assuming a bulldozer does not crash directly into a tree, hidden damage to trees most often results from cutting roots, compacting soil with heavy equipment, chemicals leaching into the soil from equipment washing, or from the burying of scrap materials.
Different trees have different root patterns.
Some can sustain significant root damage and survive. Oak trees can sustain up to 40 percent root damage, so run trenches near them if needed.
On the other hand, maples have a shallow root pattern that is near the surface. Shallow trenches can easily cut the roots of maple trees. Beech trees, too, can survive only minimal root damage, so avoid them.
Heavy equipment will compact the soil. This squeezes out many of the air pockets, which stresses the root system. These tiny air pockets also hold moisture after a rain. Have your arborist mark acceptable paths for the heavy equipment. You can buy yellow or orange ribbons at most home center stores to mark the paths.
Construction materials such as cement and brick mortar are highly alkaline. While alkaline is actually good for some plants, particularly evergreens, it can be harmful to others.
Have the workman rinse off tools and equipment in an area where the wastewater will run into a storm drain and not into your yard. If pressure-treated lumber is used, it is wise to remove the scraps instead of burying them.
For more detailed information about protecting your landscaping and trees in general, contact the following organizations:
— American Forests, 202-737-1944, www.americanforests.org.
— National Arbor Day Foundation, 888-448-7337, www.arborday.org.
— World Forestry Center, 503-228-1367, www.worldforestry.com.
— International Society of Arboriculture, 217-355-9411, www.treesaregood.com.
Dear Pat: I have a heavily wooden lot and I am planning a major room addition. I am concerned about damaging some of the nearby trees. What tips should I give the contractor to minimize damage? - - Wanda L.
Dear Wanda: A naturally wooded lot can be a blessing. Relaxing in the serenity of a wooded backyard is just what the doctor ordered after a day at work and tending to family. Therefore, it is understandable you would want to cause as little damage to your trees as possible.
Tree damage is not generally apparent for up to two years after it occurs, so it could be difficult to determine if you contractor is responsible. Making matters worse, it can cost $1,000 or more to have a dead or weakened tree removed from your yard. You could also lose your tranquil spot and the resale value of your house could be diminished.
Before you begin construction, it would be wise to hire a professional tree consultant, or arborist, to meet with you and your contractor. Various species of trees are susceptible to various types of damage. During the landscaping inspection and meeting, you would be able to find out the best paths for heavy equipment to follow and where to clean and rinse equipment at the end of each workday.
It might also be smart to have written into your construction contract a clause to cover tree damage that is not apparent immediately. After meeting with an arborist, you will know which trees are most susceptible to damage and what type of damage might result from construction.
Assuming a bulldozer does not crash directly into a tree, hidden damage to trees most often results from cutting roots, compacting soil with heavy equipment, chemicals leaching into the soil from equipment washing, or from the burying of scrap materials.
Different trees have different root patterns.
Some can sustain significant root damage and survive. Oak trees can sustain up to 40 percent root damage, so run trenches near them if needed.
On the other hand, maples have a shallow root pattern that is near the surface. Shallow trenches can easily cut the roots of maple trees. Beech trees, too, can survive only minimal root damage, so avoid them.
Heavy equipment will compact the soil. This squeezes out many of the air pockets, which stresses the root system. These tiny air pockets also hold moisture after a rain. Have your arborist mark acceptable paths for the heavy equipment. You can buy yellow or orange ribbons at most home center stores to mark the paths.
Construction materials such as cement and brick mortar are highly alkaline. While alkaline is actually good for some plants, particularly evergreens, it can be harmful to others.
Have the workman rinse off tools and equipment in an area where the wastewater will run into a storm drain and not into your yard. If pressure-treated lumber is used, it is wise to remove the scraps instead of burying them.
For more detailed information about protecting your landscaping and trees in general, contact the following organizations:
— American Forests, 202-737-1944, www.americanforests.org.
— National Arbor Day Foundation, 888-448-7337, www.arborday.org.
— World Forestry Center, 503-228-1367, www.worldforestry.com.
— International Society of Arboriculture, 217-355-9411, www.treesaregood.com.
