Trees aren't only essential for our survival, they're also real assets. In urban settings, established trees provide:
- Shade, cooling outdoor areas and houses during the unbearable heights of summer.
- Cleaner air, they literally filter pollution.
- Aesthetic organic elements to compliment architecture and streets capes.
- Habitat to native animals, helping to prevent outbreaks of pest species.
- Prevention of flooding by soaking up ground water.
Damage to trees during construction can lead to decline and death. If a tree is worth keeping, preventative measures need to be taken prior to construction to ensure its protection.
As well as protecting what you can see, there can be twice the amount below the surface requiring the same consideration.
Tree roots are generally shallow in the soil and can travel well beyond the drip line of the tree's crown. Tree root growth is opportunistic and occurs where the essentials for growth are present and is not always symmetrical in form and depth.
Fine absorbing roots that collect water and nutrients are located primarily within the top 150-300mm of the soil. The roots and the soil in this surface layer must be protected from injury.
Ground penetration radar can be employed to map out essential root systems.
The image on the top is an example of a tree root mapping project carried out by GeoScan. The Geelong City council needed to construct a playground adjacent to a well established tree at a kindergarten. GeoScan were engaged and the result was that the construction could be planned in harmony with the environment.
References:
Tree protection. In Boroondara city council: Available from https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/waste-environment/trees-and-naturestrips/protect-tree-during-construction.