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Serving New Hampshire and Vermont Home Buyer's and Home Owner's

Links to Part 1 and Part 2 of New Home Construction and Trees! Home Buyer's, Home Owner's

Part 1: http://activerain.com/blogsview/315601/New-Construction-and-Trees

Part 2: htt://activerain.com/blogsview/320822/Part-2-of-New

Tree Protection

No matter the size of the tree, a protection barrier should always be used and installed. Tree protection should always be a physical barrier, something that is highly visible to anyone that is entering the construction site can see. A orange construction fence wired to T-Post well work very good for this. The fence or barrier should be placed as far away from the tree it's protecting as possible. At a minimum, it should be set at the dripline on the construction site. The dripline is measured at the point on the ground beneath the farthest overhanging limb.

At this point of the construction process, it's recommended that you have another meeting with your contractor. Designate storage areas for the materials, including any soil to be used. Soil placed inside of the saved tree areas has the same effect as compaction on the trees feeder roots. Establish turn-around areas for any equipment being used, parking areas for construction workers and concrete truck cleanout area. You should also meet with as many of the folks as possible that will be working on your property. Often the damage occurs unknowingly. You should explain the purpose of the fence to them. As with every thing, communication is very vital.

If for some reason a barrier of orange fencing is just not possible, then use mulch instead. Useing chipped bark mulch can be placed as deep as 10 inches around the saved tree areas. This will protect the feeder roots by acting as a mattress for them. It also keeps the roots cool and moist. When your project is finished, then rake the mulch out to about 3 to 4 inches deep and away from the tree's trunk. This will help with post-construction care as well. During and after the construction, watering the trees can help to reduce the mortality rate of your trees.

Part 4 will be on Finish work

Knowledge is the Power for Your Freedom to a Worry Free Home!

Link to my website: http://www.bakerhomeinspection.org

Link to my e-mail: bakerhomeinspection@yahoo.com

Have a good one

Dale