Trees are a vital part of our environment, offering countless benefits—from improving air quality to supporting wildlife. During construction and restoration projects, preserving trees is just as important as the work itself. Our Environmental team makes tree protection a priority, using proactive measures to ensure trees remain healthy and undisturbed throughout every stage of a project.
Through careful planning and techniques like tree planking, protective fencing and root pruning, we minimize potential impacts while maintaining the balance of the surrounding ecosystem. Learn more about our commitment to tree preservation and how we integrate sustainable practices into every project.
Types of Tree Protection
Tree Planking
Tree planking is one of the most reliable and widely used tree protection methods on our restoration projects. This technique involves securing wooden planks and rope around individual trees, sometimes supplemented with tree fencing for added protection. Our Environmental team ensures all tree protection methods comply with local, state and federal regulations, including forest conservation laws and guidelines set by regulatory agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection.
A notable example of tree planking in action can be seen in the Park Hills Drainageway Improvements project in State College, Pennsylvania. The project’s primary objective was to restore a gully by stabilizing the stream channel, reducing sediment discharge and preserving the area’s natural tree cover. To protect the mature trees on site, we implemented tree planking, creating physical barriers around the trunks and canopies to prevent damage from heavy machinery. This approach allowed restoration work to proceed smoothly while safeguarding the trees and preserving the surrounding ecosystem.
Tree Protection Fences
Another key method we use to safeguard trees is the installation of tree protection fences. These temporary barriers help prevent damage caused by construction equipment, foot traffic and soil compaction, ensuring trees remain healthy throughout a project.
Designed with durability and visibility in mind, tree protection fences are made from sturdy materials like mesh, wire or plastic, allowing them to withstand site activity and harsh weather conditions. They are strategically placed around a tree’s critical root zone to provide ample protection without interfering with natural growth. To reduce the risk of accidental damage, these fences are often brightly colored or clearly marked, making them easy for crews to identify and work around.
Tree Tubes
Protecting young trees is just as important as preserving mature ones, and tree tubes offer a simple yet effective solution. Also known as tree shelters, these cylindrical structures are made from UV-resistant plastic or other durable materials, shielding saplings from wildlife and accidental damage as they grow.
Commonly used in forestry, landscaping and conservation projects, tree tubes create a protective barrier against deer, rabbits and rodents while still allowing light and airflow to reach the tree. Their light-colored design—typically green, tan or white—helps minimize heat absorption while blending naturally into the environment. Some tree tubes even include netting to deter birds, and additional measures like capsaicin tablets (derived from chili peppers) can be used to keep rodents from disturbing the roots. By reducing environmental stressors and promoting healthy growth, tree tubes play a crucial role in ensuring young trees thrive.
Root Pruning
Beyond physical barriers, our Environmental team takes a proactive approach to tree preservation through root pruning. This technique involves carefully cutting roots before excavation begins, helping to minimize damage during construction or when transplanting large trees. When done correctly, root pruning protects a tree’s structural stability and long-term health, preventing the stress and decline that can result from improper cuts or soil disruption.
Smaller roots—those less than one inch in diameter—can be trimmed using hand tools, while roots larger than three inches should generally be left intact whenever possible. The method used depends on the root size, with two primary techniques guiding the process:
Air, Water and Hand Excavation
To ensure minimal impact on tree health, we employ specialized root pruning techniques tailored to site conditions and tree needs. These methods carefully expose and trim roots while reducing stress and damage.
- Air Excavation: Using tools like an air spade, this technique relies on compressed air to gently remove soil from around the roots without causing physical harm. It’s ideal for mature trees and compacted soils, preserving root integrity while allowing for precise pruning.
- Water Excavation: High-pressure water is used to wash away soil, keeping roots hydrated and preventing mechanical damage. This method is particularly effective in sensitive environments where maintaining moisture balance is crucial.
- Hand Excavation: The most traditional approach, hand excavation involves using shovels or pruners to carefully expose and trim roots. While labor-intensive, it offers precise control, making it the preferred method for small-scale projects or delicate root systems.
Root-Cutting Machinery
For large-scale projects where time is a critical factor, root pruners offer a faster alternative to manual pruning. These machines, equipped with teeth similar to those on a stump grinder, can swiftly cut through roots, delivering clean and even cuts. Their speed and power make them particularly useful in construction settings where efficiency is key.
However, despite their effectiveness, root pruners have limitations. Unlike manual methods, they lack precision and do not allow for careful assessment of each cut’s location and impact. While they can expedite the process, their use must be carefully considered to minimize unintended damage to a tree’s root system.
Mulch Access Roads
In addition to tree protection and root pruning methods, our team utilizes temporary mulch access roads to minimize soil disturbance and sediment transport during construction. These roads are built by spreading a 12-inch-thick layer of mulch, creating a stable, non-invasive pathway for equipment.
The primary purpose of mulch access roads is to preserve soil structure and prevent erosion. By providing a protective barrier between heavy machinery and the ground, they help safeguard nearby trees and maintain the integrity of the surrounding ecosystem. These roads also keep the site from becoming muddy during work, allowing equipment to move in and out efficiently without causing unnecessary damage.
The Environmental Impact
Tree protection methods offer significant benefits by preserving both tree health and the surrounding ecosystem. These practices are designed to minimize damage to tree canopies and root systems, ensuring long-term ecological stability. Our Environmental team understands that the health of our environment is interconnected with the health of our trees, which is why we prioritize sustainability on every project.
The tree protection techniques we implement are temporary and non-invasive, allowing the trees to thrive without permanent disruption. Methods like tree planking and protection fences are installed during a project and are removed once the work is complete, enabling the trees to resume their natural growth cycle. We’re proud to lead the way in implementing eco-friendly methods that ensure development and nature can coexist.
