To see your dream home renovation project rollout is sure to give you great joy. But before that, be sure to think about the safety of your precious trees. Home renovation often focuses on upgrading the interior and exterior parts of a property. And unfortunately, this doesn’t always include existing trees.
Construction can cause serious damages that are not always noticeable. And it happens that homeowners only make that call to a Tree Service Professional once the problem has already escalated.
It’s not enough to have your contractor or construction workers promise you that they won’t harm your trees. You need to work with a Certified Arborist in developing a tree protection plan.
Consider these tips on how you can keep trees safe during a home renovation project.
- Check which of your trees are likely to get affected. These are trees that are near the project location or are on its path. If possible, plan an alternate route so equipment or foot traffic will not have to come close to your trees. Dedicating a specific route for workers will also help protect your existing landscaping from potential damages.
- Build a fence for your trees. The stronger the fence, the better. The farther it goes, the better. If it is impossible to have workers or equipment pass by your trees, at least be sure to build a fence around them. This will protect the root system against damages. Don’t scrimp on the fence. Invest in a high-quality one that workers will not be able to move, push, or tear down as they please.
- Tell your contractor to dispose of wastes properly. You’ll also want to remind your contractors to dispose of their toxic wastes, such as paints, outside of your property. This will prevent toxic chemicals from penetrating your soil and compromising the health of your trees.
- Look out for the roots. Apart from keeping foot traffic and equipment away from your tree roots, you’ll also want to avoid removing and adding soil around them. Roots should not be buried too deep as this will prevent them from receiving the moisture they need. Removing soil around them also isn’t advisable as you might damage the roots. The bottom line is to leave the soil around your trees alone.
- Protect the trunk and branches. If you’ll not be able to secure your tree surrounds with a fence, be sure to look out for their trunk and branches. Keep workers and equipment away from them. Once tree trunk and branches get wounded, they become more vulnerable to pest or insect attacks.
- Read more about the related local ordinance. When it comes to proper tree care, the more you know, the better. Check if there are any ordinances in your area about the type of fence or preservation method you should use for your trees during a construction project. If you’re working with a reputable tree service provider in your area, chances are they’re also well-versed on this part. You no longer have to worry about violating any rule as they’ll ensure your project adheres to local policies and standards.
- Hire a Certified Arborist. Consult a certified Arborist on tree preservation. This is to ensure the health of your trees throughout the construction project. Your Certified Arborist can also coordinate closely with your contractor in developing or reviewing existing site plans. Feel at ease that an expert is there to check the health of your trees before, during, and even after the home renovation project is done.
Don’t let the joy of a newly renovated home turn to a heartbreak later on with the weakening or passing of your precious trees. With proper planning, you can beautify your home and protect your trees at the same time.
