Are you building a new home this year, or do you plan to do some remodeling that might include a home addition? If so, you most likely will have trees on your property that you’ll need to work around throughout the construction process, and it is important that you and the people working on your home take extra care when working around your trees, as trees are a very valuable asset to your property.
Trees can receive damage in a number of ways during construction. Heavy construction equipment can break branches and tear the bark, and digging and grading can cause damage to a tree’s root system. These types of damage, as well as others, can lead to numerous issues, such as limiting a tree’s ability to stand upright (especially in high winds or storms) or even cause a tree to die.
In order to avoid such issues, it’s important to plan carefully in advance of the start of construction. Trees Are Good suggests consulting with tree care specialists, who can assess the health of your trees, their structural integrity, and suggest ways to preserve and protect the trees. Other tips to avoid tree damage during construction include the following:
- Set up barriers around each tree that will remain on the property. The barrier should be placed as far out from the tree trunk as possible to protect the tree and its roots.
- Limit access to the areas around your trees. If possible, have one entry/exit point on the property.
- Make sure the measures you will take to protect your trees are in writing, with specific instructions as to what can and can’t be done around the trees. Try to post signs as a reminder.
You can visit Trees Are Good for additional suggestions to help keep your trees free of damage during the construction process.