Arbor Day Foundation pledges 10 million trees to areas impacted by hurricanes Helene, Milton Read more
How to Protect Trees During Underground Work
Damage to roots can cause the sudden, tragic fall of a tree during even a light wind. More commonly, however, root damage leads to the slow, insidious decline of otherwise healthy trees. In either case, this unnecessary risk to life and property and loss of trees can be prevented by using proper procedures during underground work.
Modern equipment is able to tunnel safely beneath the roots of a tree. It is widely available and used increasingly by utilities and construction companies.
“I get no respect,” said the comedian. But it is no joke that all too often the same thing can be said of tree roots.
Hidden away beneath the soil, roots quietly — almost mysteriously — go about doing their job. They anchor im¬mense trees firmly against the wind, serve up vital water, and pry loose essential elements from the soil. Unfortunate¬ly, when they grow in cities and towns, they also must share limited underground space with a plethora of underground utilities. There, in those crowded conditions, they live under the constant threat of disturbance from utility installation or repairs, new lawn sprinkler systems, construction of foun¬dations or sidewalks, and any other activity that requires digging.
Today, modern technology has provided tunneling methods to install or replace most utilities with virtually no damage to roots. But even when digging a trench is necessary, there are ways to do it with minimal damage to nearby trees.
In This Bulletin
Here’s what’s inside:
- Trees and the Underworld – four facts that help you understand roots
- Preventing Damage from Trenches – strategies for minimizing damage to roots when trenches are necessary
- The Beauty of Tunneling – a better strategy when pipes or cables need to be placed
- Establishing Rules to Protect Roots – examples of ways communities are protecting tree roots
- The Amazing World of Trenchless Technology – doing the work with virtually no disturbance