Working with Nature for Tree Preservation

Among our first challenges in working with two city neighborhood properties was to protect the best of the native vegetation on the site and then develop a plan to restore ecological balance going forward. We set as a goal “to protect all native, mature trees of significance, remove exotic vegetation and promote the growth of native trees, shrubs and plants.”

Prior to any construction we conducted a complete inventory of all canopy and most mid-story trees. Foresters with the Pinnacle Consulting Group (http://www.pincongrp.com/) conducted the inventory and developed appropriate site maps. This inventory was then transferred to Arborist Scott Carlson of Schneider Tree Care (http://www.schneidertree.com/) for implementation.

Guidelines for Our Tree Conservation Plan
We developed the outlines of a “tree conservation plan” based upon the following:

– In the main construction zone – an area previously occupied by a structure – there were neither any canopy trees nor native trees.

– Initial site work necessitated the removal of a half-dozen Chinese mulberry and Tree-of-Heaven mid-story trees all of which would have been removed as exotics even if not required for construction.

– Special emphasis will be placed on retaining two oaks (one red; one water) of exceptional size and character – nearly three-feet in diameter. No work will occur in the root zones. Both trees will be pruned to remove overhanging limbs that will threaten the house and to remove dead or diseased limbs.

– The only native trees planned for removal from the site are three mid-story sycamores which are ill formed and in an undesirable location.

– Emphasis will be placed on removing Chinese mulberry and Tree-of-Heaven from throughout the site. After construction is complete, several oaks or other deciduous hardwoods will be planted in an area that currently contains no trees so as to offer summer shading on the south aspect of the house.

Submitting the Plan for Certification
As an option under the EarthCraft House standard, we chose to seek certification of our tree conservation plan with the National Association of Home Builder’s “Building With Trees” program. The program is administered by the National Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org/). The builder signed an application completed by our arborist who then submitted the tree conservation plan and application.