Hire a professional arborist in the early planning stage. Many of the trees on your property may be saved if the proper steps are taken. Allow the arborist to meet with you and your building contractor. Your arborist can assess the trees on your property, determine which are healthy and structurally sound, and suggest measures […]
Monthly Archives: January 2012
21
Jan
Jan
Because the ability to repair construction damage to trees is extremely limited, it is vital that trees be protected from injury. The single most important action you can take is to set up construction fences around all of the trees that are to remain. The fences should be placed as far out from the trunks […]
20
Jan
Jan
Get it in writing. All of the measures intended to protect your trees must be written into the construction specifications. The written specifications should detail exactly what can and cannot be done to and around the trees. Each subcontractor must be made aware of the barriers, limitations, and specified work zones. It is a good […]
19
Jan
Jan
It is not unusual to go to great lengths to preserve trees during construction, only to have them injured during landscaping. Installing irrigation systems and rototilling planting beds are two ways the root systems of trees can be damaged. Remember also that small increases in grade (as little as 2 to 4 inches) that place […]
17
Jan
Jan
Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet, despite more than 25 years of literature and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice. This article explains why topping is not an acceptable pruning technique. Topping Stresses Trees Topping often removes 50 to 100 percent of the leaf-bearing crown of […]
17
Jan
Jan
For most young trees, maintain a single dominant leader growing upward. Do not prune back the tip of this leader. Do not allow secondary branches to outgrow the leader. Sometimes a tree will develop double leaders known as co-dominant stems. Co-dominant stems can lead to structural weaknesses, so it is best to remove one of […]
17
Jan
Jan
Nursery trees often have low branches that may make the tree appear well-proportioned when young, but low branches are seldom appropriate for large-growing trees in an urban environment. How a young tree is trained depends on its primary function in the landscape. For example, street trees must be pruned so that they allow at least […]
16
Jan
Jan
The amount of live tissue that should be removed depends on the tree size, species, and age, as well as the pruning objectives. Younger trees tolerate the removal of a higher percentage of living tissue better than mature trees do. An important principle to remember is that a tree can recover from several small pruning […]
16
Jan
Jan
Your trees will require several years to adjust to injuries and environmental changes that occur during construction. Stressed trees are more prone to health problems such as disease and insect infestations. A professional Arborist can assess and recommend continued maintenance for your trees. Continue to monitor your trees, and have them periodically evaluated for declining […]
16
Jan
Jan
Physical Injury to Trunk and Crown. Construction equipment can injure the aboveground portion of a tree by breaking branches, tearing the bark, and wounding the trunk. These injuries are permanent and, if extensive, can be fatal. Cutting of Roots. The digging and trenching that are necessary to construct a house and install underground utilities will […]
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