Often the worst damage from construction is to the part of the tree we cannot see. Even though roots are one of the most vital parts of a tree, that area is given the least attention in construction damage prevention.- Approximately 90-95 % of a tree’s root system are located in the top 3 feet of soil, with more than 50% in the top 1 foot.
- The Critical Root Zone (CRZ) is the most important part of the root zone to protect. The CRZ is found by taking the tree diameter at breast height (in inches) and multiplying it by 1.5 (and converting to feet). For example, a 20″ oak will have a CRZ with a radius of 30 feet.
- Common symptoms of construction damage
- Early fall color
- Smaller leaves
- Stunted growth
- Premature leaf drop (deciduous)
- Loss of excessive amounts of inner needles (conifers)
- Branch dieback
- Heavy seed production
Twin Cities Tree Care Company
Treecology: The Fusion of Trees, People and Nature