Protecting trees during construction can be an exercise in planning or one in frustration. Which way it goes has much to do with the leverage you are able to exert over the construction's planning phase. Frequently projects are designed and priced with little or no thought to the protection of root areas and soil, or to the complications of working with above-ground tree architecture. Contractors often don't anticipate the expense of having to exclude areas to protect tree roots, or the cost of protective measures when moving materials or equipment across root zones. When the project commences and tree protection has not been included in the planning, contractors and the tree advocates alike can quickly become frustrated.

For guidance on protecting trees during construction, an excellent resource is Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees During Land Development by Nelda Matheny and Jim Clark. Nelda and Jim are members of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, a professional organization. Their book provides a great deal of information, some of which will be applicable to your circumstances regardless of the kind of construction you are undertaking. The book can be acquired here through the International Society of Arboriculture website.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service