1. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE April 4, 2007 MISSOURI COMMUNITY FORESTRY COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING

2. Assist municipalities with tree inventories, management plans and mapping services. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE A forestry consulting firm based in St. Louis, MO. Providing Urban Forestry consulting for twelve years. Provide landscape contractors, arborists, and homeowners with current information. (Appraisals, diagnosis, tree protection, etc.) Assist architects, city planners, and developers with land-use planning info. (Ordinances, tree protection plans, etc)

3. Why Preserve Trees? CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Benefits of Urban Trees : Energy Savings Property Value Shade Air Quality Aesthetics Quality of Life Urban Wildlife

4. TREE BASICS : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE 90-95% of a Tree’s Root System is located in the Top 3 Feet of Soil! 50% of a Tree’s Root System is located in the Top 1 Foot of Soil!!!! These are mostly the absorbing roots that provide WATER and NUTRIENTS 3 ft 1 ft Even though the tree may be left standing…..for now; Major trauma to these roots will kill the tree!

5. Critical Root Zone (CRZ) : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE The CRZ is the starting point when planning for tree protection. The CRZ encompasses all tree roots out to AT-LEAST the drip-line of a tree.

6. Factors That Affect A Tree’s Tolerance to Construction Activity CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Small size trees are typically more tolerant than larger sized trees (Crabapple v. Oaks) Young trees are typically more tolerant than mature Trees Species Vary in Tolerance

7. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Different Species Have Different Tolerance Levels

8. Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground: CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Inventory all the existing trees and identify: Species, Size, Location, and Condition. (Use site plan or create a map…aerial photos) Understand and mark where ALL Construction Activities will occur on the site and how they will affect the tree population. (Grading, traffic, material storage, irrigation lines, utilities, etc) Note Trees to be Preserved; Encourage the developer/ architect to consider possible alternatives in order to save more desirable trees. Create an ACTION LIST for preserved trees.

9. Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground: CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE

10. Develop a Tree Protection Plan before Breaking Ground: CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Inventory all the existing trees and identify: Species, Size, Location, and Condition. (Use site plan or create a map…aerial photos) Understand and mark where ALL Construction Activities will occur on the site and how they will affect the tree population. (Grading, traffic, material storage, irrigation lines, utilities, etc) Note Trees to be Preserved; Encourage the developer/ architect to consider possible alternatives in order to save more desirable trees. Create an ACTION LIST for preserved trees. Keep trees as healthy as possible before construction. Simply watering, mulching and dead-wood pruning a tree can vitalize a tree and limit future stress.

11. PROTECTION PROCEDURES : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Create and follow a plan! Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required

12. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE As a general rule, the Critical Root Zone should extend at least to the drip-line of a tree. If the CRZ can not be protected… Disturbance may come as close as 5 times the diameter of the protected tree on ONLY ONE SIDE!! 5x…then protect the rest!!

13. PROTECTION PROCEDURES : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Create and follow a plan! Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required Fencing, Root Pruning, Limb Pruning, Chemical Treatments (Cambistat)

14. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE FENCING It is important to prohibit heavy machinery traffic, material storage and other such construction stress within the Critical Root Zone !!! Use tree protection signs to communicate! Fencing can be used to restrict traffic to designated routes.

15. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE ROOT PRUNING If compaction, excavation, or soil filling must occur within the CRZ….root prune and fence along the limits of disturbance.

16. PROTECTION PROCEDURES : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Create and follow a plan! Eliminate / Minimize activity in Critical Root Zones Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Create a list of trees to be protected and what actions will be required Fencing, Root Pruning, Limb Pruning, Chemical Treatments (Cambistat)

17. Grade Changes CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Soil Compaction Trenching & Excavating Trenching & Excavating Construction Related Stress Factors : Soil Compaction Grade Changes Grade Changes

18. Grade Changes CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Soil Compaction Trenching & Excavating Trenching & Excavating Soil Compaction Grade Changes Grade Changes Construction Related Stress Factors :

19. CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Construction Damage Results In: No Root Flare Wilted/Scorched Leaves Drooping Branches Early Fall Color Premature Leaf Drop Water/Sucker Sprouts Flowering out of Season Abnormal Die-Back Stunted Annual Growth

20. Treatments for Stressed Trees After Construction : CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Water Aerate Fertilize (careful!) Mulch Prune Dead Limbs Thin Crown Remove Drill 2 inch Diameter Holes Spaced 2 ft Apart

21. Don’t let this be your job site!! CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE

22. INSTEAD….. Make sure the final results are something you and your client are happy with!! CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE