At Planned Forest Solutions, we follow a five-step process for preserving trees during construction. This process is in line with ANSI A300 Part 5 Standards for tree preservation and ISA Best Management Practices. Below is a brief description of our process.
1. Planning Phase
The planning phase takes before any site disturbance. Trees and the overall site are assessed so that construction and preservation decisions can be made. Accomplishments during this phase include:
Site survey showing all relevant features:
Tree Resource Evaluation
2. Project Design
During this phase, initial construction documents are developed, and a tree preservation plan is developed to consider trees based on construction plans. Specific steps during this phase include:
Tree preservation plan components include:
3. Pre-Construction
During this phase, the trees and site are prepared for actual construction activities. Accomplishments during this phase include:
4. Construction
The construction phase is where actual site disturbance and building construction occur. The construction phase is where physical tree impacts are most likely to happen. Accomplishments during this phase include:
-Root cutting/damage
-Root collar covered by fill soil
5. Post-construction
This phase includes the time period after building construction and most site disturbance is complete. Steps to this phase include:
1. Planning Phase
The planning phase takes before any site disturbance. Trees and the overall site are assessed so that construction and preservation decisions can be made. Accomplishments during this phase include:
Site survey showing all relevant features:
- Trees
- Hydrology
- Soils
- Utilities
- Existing structures
Tree Resource Evaluation
- Size
- Species
- Condition
- Suitability for conservation (Good, moderate, poor)
- Landmark/heritage trees
- Transplant?
2. Project Design
During this phase, initial construction documents are developed, and a tree preservation plan is developed to consider trees based on construction plans. Specific steps during this phase include:
- Location, size, shape of buildings determined
- Evaluation of development impacts
- Drainage
- Grading
- Tree preservation plan developed
Tree preservation plan components include:
- Areas to be preserved
- Tree protection zones, with barriers
- Soil erosion controls
- Staging and storage areas
- Signage
- Utilities
3. Pre-Construction
During this phase, the trees and site are prepared for actual construction activities. Accomplishments during this phase include:
- Protection specifications/goals communicated to all
- Protection zone barriers installed prior to work
- Tree removal operations shouldn’t damage trees to remain
- Root pruning, other treatments
4. Construction
The construction phase is where actual site disturbance and building construction occur. The construction phase is where physical tree impacts are most likely to happen. Accomplishments during this phase include:
- Arborist monitoring and reporting
- Corrective measures specified/implemented for any damage
- Periodic contractor meetings
-Root cutting/damage
- Excavation equipment
- Trenching equipment
- Burning/burial of debris
- Fill soil over roots and altered water tables
- Soil compaction
-Root collar covered by fill soil
5. Post-construction
This phase includes the time period after building construction and most site disturbance is complete. Steps to this phase include:
- Tree conservation recommendations revised if construction activity has altered tree health/maintenance needs
- Tree health monitored
- Long-term tree maintenance specifications implemented - e.g. tree pruning, insect/disease treatment, soil management
- Preservation evaluation – Did it work? Can effects be mitigated?