Can Construction Damage Your Trees?

If you are living in an urban community, you’ll know that construction is unavoidable. You or your neighbors may require some construction work to further improve your property. Unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, construction can greatly damage your trees. It can even potentially kill it.  

Though construction is sometimes not avoidable, it is crucial to keep in mind that it can have a major impact on your landscape plants and trees.  

Today, we’re going to talk about how construction can damage your trees and what you can do to prevent these damages.  

If you ignore these things, you might end up having to hire a tree removal Bozeman company to get rid of your tree. 

How Construction Damages Your Tree 

There are a couple of crucial ways construction can damage your tree severely. It can even kill them if they are not careful enough.  

  • Damage to Tree Roots 

You may not know just how many tree roots you will have to cut in the process if you want to install an irrigation system, add a new driveway, extend your home, or build a new one. Aside from damaging every single minor feeder root, big structural support roots are often cut. This leaves your tree prone to instability. During construction projects, arborists often see more than 40% of the root system of the tree get severed. This is a risky condition for your big established trees.  

  • Getting Rid of Topsoil 

For those who don’t know, the most important and fertile layer of soil is the topsoil. In this soil, you will find all the vital feeder roots. In addition to that, you’ll also see the mycorrhizae fungi in the topsoil. These fungi will help break down organic matter and transform them into nutrients that your trees can absorb. Mycorrhizae fungi can also help break down harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals. Your trees will not be as vigorous if you get rid of the topsoil. If this happens, your tree can suffer from diseases and insects.  

  • Compacting the Soil 

Heavy and prolonged traffic compacts the soil in the feeder root zone of your tree. This is particularly true for foot and equipment traffic. Oftentimes, you will see huge piles of debris pile up at the tree’s base. This compaction can result in a decrease in the air spaces that feeder roots require in order to absorb the necessary nutrients and water. With less air space, your tree will have a hard time growing and expanding its root. Also, compacted soil results in a decrease in oxygen and water absorption. Irrigation, rainfall, or water runs off without the air spaces to hold it.  

Protecting Your Trees 

If you are planning to do a construction project around your house, it’s best that you hire a professional tree care company first to talk about the proper tree protection plan. A tree protection plan is also necessary for commercial projects. A professional can help you avoid all types of damages by talking about the elements that will influence the stability and health of your tree during construction.  

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