Trees and Construction: Planning and Designing for Success

Trees and construction remain a recognizable and complex challenge for urban foresters to negotiate in urban landscapes. In this domain, it's easy to feel in over your head!

On one end, urbanization and the need for safe buildings as well as infrastructure propel construction and renovation projects at rapid rates. On the other hand, communities and their citizens mobilize for greener infrastructure and enhanced urban canopies. Can we achieve balance between these two tensions?

The short answer is, it depends. Success depends on the capacity of communities and professionals for planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and controlling actions for clear tree conservation goals.

Conserving urban trees over the long term, even alongside development projects, is possible. Nevertheless, achieving this feat requires a strong methodology, centered on planning, clear expectations with regular and responsive monitoring. Securing stakeholder buy-in and mechanisms for ensuring compliance, at all levels, are key aspects for preserving trees throughout a project, and beyond. And remember, securing viable planting sites, is another critical step for enriching the urban canopy.

This week, we will cover the fundamental steps, guiding principles and even a few methodologies and resources pertaining to trees and construction. We will also explore the importance of other development activities such as renovations, repairs and even landscaping as it relates to impacts on trees.

This section's readings are centered on different case studies and methodologies, selected to help you compare and contrast practices, and options with your own community. I hope you will find this information useful as you explore this topic in your professional and personal objectives. Good luck, as it won't be easy. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• •  Identify actions associated with human development, that affect tree health and condition
  •  Recognize the most common forms of tree and site damage that occur during development projects
  •  Explain five critical phases for assessing, monitoring and caring for trees impacted by development projects
  •  Recognize standards and methodologies that could guide tree care decisions in a context of development

Topic Readings

This week is all about options, to assist you in learning about and in developing your own conservation strategies for managing urban trees in development projects. Choose whichever papers and resources can help you shape your opinions and approaches when caring for trees within this context.

Applied research: Case study-based, Choose your own out of the following :

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

When considering internal public works projects, Richard J. Hauer et al., present some insightful conclusions after following data from Milwaukee, Wisconsin's tree preservation program since 1989! The authors present ways in which the City of Milwaukee revised internal road construction and renovation practices while promoting greater protection for public trees. The research team presents results on how these practices influenced tree condition, development and survival.

• Hauer, R.J., Koeser, A.K., Parbs, S., Kringer, J., Krousse, R., Ottman, K., Miller., Sivyer, D., Timilsina, N., and Werner, L.P. (2020). Long-term effects and development of a tree preservation program on tree, condition, survival and growth. Landscape and Urban Planning. 193. 
• Long term effects tree preservation 2020.pdf Download Long term effects tree preservation 2020.pdf

Highland Park, Illinois, USA

This case study research demonstrates how a smaller municipality of less than 30 000 citizens has achieved a tree preservation rate of nearly 75% throughout development projects as a result of its municipal tree preservation ordinance. This paper provides details on how designated heritage species of interest (SOI) benefitted from protection through Highland Park's framework.

• Pike, K., O'Herrin, K., Klimas, C. and Vogt, J. (2021) Tree preservation during construction: An evaluation of a comprehensive municipal tree ordinance. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 57.
• Tree preservation ordinance Highland Park 2021.pdf Download Tree preservation ordinance Highland Park 2021.pdf 

For more information on Highland Park's tree protection information, along with the municipality's Tree Ordinance: HERE Links to an external site.

Applied research: Species and physiology-based

University of Florida, controlled site in Citra, Florida, USA

This paper looks at tree preservation and root protection zones from the perspective of a single species, its tolerance thresholds and impact of root severance treatments on physiological function. Specialized research on tree species biological reactions to damage could help better inform and substantiate tree preservation specifications and practices. 

• Benson, A.R., Koeser, A.W. and Morgenroth, J. (2019) A test of tree protection zones: Responses of Quercus virginiana Mill trees to root severance treatments. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 38, 54-63.
• Tree preservation zones Quercus virgniana 2019.pdf Download Tree preservation zones Quercus virgniana 2019.pdf 

Optional Reading

Looking to get up to speed? Consider this optional reading to introduce you to the topic as well as a useful methodology for Managing Trees During Construction.

• Fite, K. and Smiley, E.T. (2016). ISA Best Management Practices BMP: Managing Trees During Construction Second Edition. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign IL.

PRACTICAL RESOURCES

Methodologies for assessing and managing trees impacted by development activities 

This week, we benefit from the work that Barrell Tree Consultancy, based in the United Kingdom, has produced for tree care professionals worldwide. Jeremy Barrell, Managing Director of Barrell Tree Consultancy, has developed over four decades of managing urban trees within a country with a national regulatory framework for Tree Preservation Orders. As a result, we can get some inspiration from a context where tree protection is legally required, and evidently, a little more robust than in other corners of the globe.

RESOURCE ONE:

Site Guidance Notes (SGN): A series of 12 technical guides for managing tree care during different operations of development/construction, in compliance with British Standards 5837 and 3998. 

https://www.barrelltreecare.co.uk/resources/technical-guidance/ Links to an external site. 

Site guidance note 12 on Landscaping in root protection areas is definitely worth a read ;) 

RESOURCE TWO:

Tree AZ: A methodology for assessing and categorizing trees in urban environments, which can be a practical approach when conducting a tree survey and Tree Conservation Plan on a development site. 

http://www.treeaz.com/ Links to an external site. 

Fundamental Concepts

Lecture Video available on Zoom archive & Powerpoint presentation notes HERE Download HERE

Topic Self-review

Consider the following questions as you ponder your progression through the program and as you approach the next step in your career.

1- Is my community effectively conserving trees in development projects? If not, what is missing for tree conservation/tree preservation strategies to be successful at maintaining trees on the landscape in my community?

2- What recommendations can I bring to the project planning process when specifically handling trees on development sites? On what topics do I feel knowledgeable and proficient?

3- In what knowledge areas or practices pertaining to trees and construction, am I missing information?