Trees Critical Root Zones and Construction PDF

Trees, Critical Root Zones, and Construction:
Building for Long Term Survivability
Jamie Blackburn
Arborguard Tree Specialists
GUFC College Canopy Conference
September 17, 2014
Critical Root Zone (CRZ)
1” DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) = 1’ Radius CRZ

How do we keep trees alive on a typical
construction site?
• Early involvement of an International Society of Arboriculture
Certified Arborist is critical for success
• Architects must consider tree biology in the design phase
• Civil Engineers must respect the trees’ Critical Root Zone
• The field personnel must understand and respect the

commitment of the ownership team to protect the trees
• Communication at all levels of involvement is critical

The Role of the Consulting Arborist
•Conserve and protect the tree resources
•Identify Existing Conditions, including Tree Health Assessments
•Schematic Design Plan Review: includes tree conservation plan,
review demolition plan, review civil engineering plans including
SEC, grading and below ground utility plans, assess initial tree
impacts
•Design and Development: plan review thru 100% CD completion,
attend pre-bid and pre-con meetings, provide tree care
prescriptive measures as needed
•Contract Administration: site monitoring, managing as built
design issues as they arise, supervise new tree installation
•Provide a plan for long-term aftercare of impacted trees and
newly installed trees
Who Cares? It’s Just a Tree!
Trees offer a number of benefits to the Ownership team and to the community
•Historic and cultural value
•Aesthetic appeal
•Clean the air of pollutants
•Provide the oxygen that sustains life on

earth
•Sequester carbon
•Essential for stormwater management
•Are a major part of the Sustainable Sites Initiatives/future LEED

requirements
Trees = $$$
Tree Survey Data
Tree# DBH Species Condition Comments
48 11,15,15 Southern Poor Multi-stem at root crown, included bark, weak
Magnolia stem union, severe soil compaction, multiple
exposed surface roots
49 17,17,19 Southern Poor Multi-stem at root crown, weak stem unions,
Magnolia included bark. 17”/17” stems co-dominant
with bad lean over Peachtree Battle
Ave./Peachtree Road intersection. Multiple
exposed surface roots, extremely compacted
soil
50 21 Southern Fair Multiple exposed surface roots, extremely
Magnolia compacted soil
51 15,15,16 Southern Poor Multi-stem at root crown, weak stem unions,
Magnolia included bark, one 15” stem has a bad lean
over Peachtree Battle Ave.
52 6,17,19 Southern Poor Multi-stem at root crown, weak stem union,
Magnolia included bark, 19” stem has a bad lean
53 14 Ornamental Good Multi-stem at approximately 2’, few dead
Cherry scaffold limbs
54 18 Bradford Pear Poor One section of stem has split off, multi-stem
at approximately 4’, weak stem unions,
included bark
55 17 Bradford Pear Poor Multi-stem at approximately 3’, included bark,
weak stem unions
56 16 Bradford Pear Poor Multi-stem at approximately 3’, included bark,
weak stem unions
57 12 Eastern Red Good
Cedar
58 5,7,8 Cherry Laurel Invasive Multi-stem at root crown, weak stem union,
included bark
59 18 Southern Good One dead stub, multiple burls on lower stem
Magnolia
60 31 Water Oak Good Few dead scaffold limbs, approximately 40%
of Critical Root Zone (CRZ) overlain by
impervious surfaces
61 35 Water Oak Good Few dead scaffold limbs, approximately 40%
of CRZ overlain by impervious surfaces
62 4,5,6,7 Dogwood Good Few dead scaffold limbs
63 28 Water Oak Good Approximately 40% of CRZ overlain by
impervious surfaces
64 6,6,7,10 Dogwood Fair 6” stem is dead, multiple dead scaffold limbs,
the tree is in decline
Eretus Rivers Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
TREE CONSERVATION PLAN
The purpose of the following Tree Conservation Plan is to describe

in general terms the necessary steps to be taken for the
conservation of trees adjacent to the limits of disturbance on the
Eretus Rivers Elementary School project (The Project). Adherence
to a formal tree conservation program will serve to protect the trees
of concern before, during, and after construction.
The General Contractor (Contractor) shall understand that the

protected trees located on this project are the major living feature
of the site and are of primary importance for the success of the
Project. The Contractor shall cooperate with the Owner in making
extraordinary efforts to minimize the risk of losing these trees as a
result of construction activities.
An Arborguard, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified

arborist who is also a LEED® Accredited Professional has been
retained by the Owner for the duration of the Project (Project
Arborist). The Project Arborist will provide services related to
protected tree care prescriptive measures, root pruning and
consultations as needed. The Project Arborist will also provide
direction and guidance to the Contractor for additional tree
protection measures when necessary.
All relevant information concerning construction must be forwarded

to the Project Arborist for review. This may include but is not
limited to site plans/construction documents, equipment access
routes, material storage locations, steel makeup areas, protective
fence layouts, root pruning locations and detailed descriptions on
how construction will proceed to minimize damage to the protected
tree resources.
What is a Silvicultural Prescription ?
•Root Pruning in a cut situation, aeration system in a fill

scenario
•Application of wood boring insect suppressants (5

annually)
•Application of organic soil enhancing nutrient and

biological supplements (3 to 4 annually)
•The addition of a 2” to 4” layer of wood mulch within the

critical root zone
•Frequent irrigation (as needed)
•Installation of a lightning protection system (lightning rod)

Managing the Site
Minimize the Impact
Structural Root Plate (SRP)
Inches of DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) x 1/3 =

Radius of SRP in feet
Insuring Long-Term Tree Survivability:
The Vision of Ownership for Conserving Tree Resources
A Commitment by the Development Team to Honor the Vision
An Understanding of Tree Physiology by the Development Team to

Realize the Vision
A Tree Survey to Determine the Value of the Tree Resources
A Tree Protection Plan to Protect the Desired Trees During

Construction
Fulfillment of the Vision by the General Contractor
The Vision Becomes Reality

Jamie Blackburn
Arborguard Tree Specialists
[email protected]
www.arborguard.com
404-299-5555

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Trees, Critical Root Zones, and Construction:

Building for Long Term Survivability

1” DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) = 1’ Radius CRZ

• Architects must consider tree biology in the design phase

• Civil Engineers must respect the trees’ Critical Root Zone

• The field personnel must understand and respect the

• Communication at all levels of involvement is critical

•Historic and cultural value

•Clean the air of pollutants

•Provide the oxygen that sustains life on

•Essential for stormwater management

•Are a major part of the Sustainable Sites Initiatives/future LEED

TREE CONSERVATION PLAN

The purpose of the following Tree Conservation Plan is to describe

The General Contractor (Contractor) shall understand that the

An Arborguard, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified

All relevant information concerning construction must be forwarded

•Root Pruning in a cut situation, aeration system in a fill

•Application of wood boring insect suppressants (5

•Application of organic soil enhancing nutrient and

•The addition of a 2” to 4” layer of wood mulch within the

•Frequent irrigation (as needed)

•Installation of a lightning protection system (lightning rod)

Inches of DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) x 1/3 =

The Vision of Ownership for Conserving Tree Resources

A Commitment by the Development Team to Honor the Vision

An Understanding of Tree Physiology by the Development Team to

A Tree Survey to Determine the Value of the Tree Resources

A Tree Protection Plan to Protect the Desired Trees During

Fulfillment of the Vision by the General Contractor

The Vision Becomes Reality

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