BRIAN PAIGE
PROTECT RECEIVES MATURE BEACON TREES (
AWARD continued )
Get the right body style for any job .
BRIAN PAIGE
PROTECT RECEIVES MATURE BEACON TREES (
AWARD continued )
barricades to the dripline should be adequate . Trees older than four years benefit from barricades extending beyond the dripline . For each inch of trunk diameter , extend the protection area an additional foot .
Adding wood chips over tree roots outside the protection areas can also help . Increase the depth of the wood chips if equipment will be moving over these areas . If you must work within the tree ’ s dripline , building plywood boardwalks can help mitigate soil compaction .
Stress to your crews the importance of these trees so they don ’ t wash down equipment near these trees or store building materials over the roots .
Avoid changing the grade near the tree ’ s dripline . Significant changes can affect the fine root system and adding soil can subject roots to improper gas exchange and essentially smother them .
If trenching is required , try to route these around trees . If it is not possible to trench around the tree ’ s protected root zone , tunneling under the root system can minimize root damage . Trenching with backhoes and other equipment can destroy entire root systems , while tunneling or boring under the roots has little effect .
Throughout the project , monitor the tree ’ s canopy for signs of dieback as this can indicate root injury . Make
sure the tree is receiving adequate water and that road runoff isn ’ t being directed to the tree .
Post-Construction Care Construction impacts may not be visible until months later . Monitor your client ’ s trees regularly for signs of deterioration like yellowing leaves , dieback , leaning , dropping of limbs or fungi growth . A slightly damaged tree will grow more slowly and be more susceptible to disease and insects .
Trees should be watered regularly to reduce water stress and mulch added to the protected root zone to maximize tree health . Keep competing vegetation away from the trees so they are not competing for nutrients and water .
If the tree is showing signs of soil compaction impacting the tree , like leaf wilt , early fall coloring , or top dieback , aeration can help . Aeration can be done shallowly with standard core aerators , or deeper by vertical mulching with augers .
It could be three to seven years before symptoms of decline are noticeable , so inspect them regularly to determine if pruning , fertilization , or disease control is necessary .
Reprinted from NALP The Edge – April 9 , 2024
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