Building a new deck? Don’t forget about your trees

Summer is the time of year that we get the chance to do that outdoor construction project we’ve been dreaming of.  Adding that new deck onto the house or redesigning an existing outdoor area.  Most often these projects involve digging into the ground and being constructed around our existing trees in our landscape.   This type of construction can wreak havoc on our existing trees due to potential root damage in the digging aspect of the project.  Here are some tips to consider to be sure that your trees are part of the plan and you sustain the longevity of your trees and the benefits that they provide.

One of the more common problems we see this time of year is declining trees around a newly installed deck or pool.  The decline usually happens around the second or third year following the construction.  When outside construction projects take place, more often than not, the trees are not managed at all during the construction process and end up taking on significant root damage due to the digging phase of these projects, which ultimately leads to the decline and often the death of the tree.

Root damage to our trees can be managed through properly planned out root pruning PRIOR to the construction project beginning.  An ISA Certified Arborist can help you plan what it will take to ensure this is done properly for your proposed project by utilizing a tool called a root pruner.  The root pruner is a piece of equipment that cuts the roots properly rather than them being mangled during the construction project.  Having the roots cut properly leaves a clean cut similar to a proper pruning cut in the canopy of the tree above ground.

A simple analogy of root pruning would be like someone injuring their finger.  When that happens, they clean up and address the wound.  Thus, allowing it to heal quickly and properly with no infection.  The same goes for trees, whether you are looking at the branches in the canopy of the tree or the roots in the ground.  A clean cut on either a branch or a root will allow the tree the best chance to heal properly, reduce the risk of infection and have the best chance to continued longevity in your landscape.

If you have a project this summer, let us know and we would be happy to provide one of our ISA Certified Arborists to help you sustain the longevity of the trees in your landscape!  It is our goal to empower you to be the caretaker of your trees!