Treating Trees That Have Been Damaged by Construction
Construction and the surrounding trees often do not go hand
in hand. If there are no measures taken to protect the trees it can be
devastating. Remedial treatments may be able to save a handful of trees, but in
these situations it is critical that immediate implementation occur. If you
have trees recently affected by construction, it is a good idea to call a
professional arborist now so that they can assess the viability of the trees
and potential risk, and then make recommends to you.
Inspection & Assessment
Construction damage can affect the tree’s structure and
stability, so an arborist will check for all possible risks. A risk inspection can
be a simple visual inspection, or it can be more in-depth and include the use
of instruments to check for decay. Risks that have been identified can
sometimes be reduced and/or eliminated. For example, prune so that the weight
is reduced, remove any unsafe limbs, or install cables that can provide
structural support to the tree.
Common damage that happens during construction:
- Soil compaction in the root region
- Physical injury to the trunk and/or crown
- Roots that are severed
- Roots that are smothered because of addition of fill soil
- Stress resulting from grade and drainage changes
- Increase in sun and wind exposure
Treatment Options
There are a number of treatment options your arborist might
suggest including cable and bracing, pruning, treating damaged bark, treating
trunk wounds, irrigation and drainage modifications, and mulching. If you have
had not yet had construction occurring near or around your trees talk to a
local arborist about the risks to your trees and what you can do to prevent
damage during the construction phase. Working side by side with an arborist can
be life saving to your trees. If the construction has already begun, bring an
arborist in to reduce the impact on your trees.