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TREE
PRESERVATION
- AND
EDUCATION
New construction compromises native tree health in
many ways. It is not unusual for new homeowners to
suffer 100% mortality rates within the first ten years
of ownership. Sometimes this can occur within the
first year under adverse conditions.
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- You may follow the links below to jump to a
different phase of tree and shrub care or simply
continue to scroll down. If you decide to jump down to
another section, you can click on the 'back' button on
your browser to return to this spot.
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- Pre-construction |
Construction
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Tree & Shrub
Cultivation |
Tree Topping
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Pre-construction
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- Survey the existing population and eliminate
extremely noxious plants, such as Poison Ivy and
Honeylocust. Assess the projected life span of the
remaining trees and remove those with only a few years
viability.
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- Review the proposed construction plans and
integrate them into the site per client's
requirements. This should include siting of the house
slab, planning trenching to provide utilities and
irrigation, and designing subsurface drainage systems.
Chases should be planned for post construction
installation of lighting systems to avoid expensive
line boring beneath drives and walks.
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- Begin a nutrition program to maximize tree
survival.
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- Designate a materials storage site to avoid
compacting and/or contaminating the most important
root zone areas.
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- Restrict parking on the site.
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- Install barricades to protect root zones and/or
tree trunks.
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- Lift tree canopies where required for worker
access and/or roof/eave lines.
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- Design aeration systems for major feature tree
root zone areas where the grade is to be raised or
covered with concrete flatwork.
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- Construction
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- Insert tree protection clause in subcontractors'
contracts, notifying them of their liability for
inappropriate tree damage.
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- Continue nutrition program.
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- Do not allow concrete trucks to wash truck and
sluice chutes up hill from or into root zone areas to
avoid pH shock.
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- Restrict mason's mortar preparation area to site
area away from feature tree root zones. Portland's pH
is so high it can cause a rapid mortality. On some
sites, a simple containment berm a few inches high may
be required.
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- Require masons laying stone or brick to sling
excess mortar slag upon polyethylene squares or into
empty five gallon buckets. This does not take any
extra time on their part, other than providing the
bucket or plastic sheeting
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- Require workmen to keep job site free of trash and
forbid them from dumping any liquid wastes on site.
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- As framing proceeds, prune for roof clearance as
needed. Recommend that framers and other
subcontractors refrain from pruning any limb or tree.
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- Mulch compacted areas.
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- Tree and Shrub Cultivation
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- ASI requires the following care to be
provided by the client to insure the successful
establishment of new trees and shrubs.
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- 1. Moisture provisions: Rainfall of less than 1"
per week, high winds, and/or high ambient temperatures
require client applied water. Water conservatively,
just enough to dampen soil to a depth of three to six
inches (depending upon root ball depth). Do not water
more than the ground can absorb within an hour or two!
If the soil beneath the topical mulch is damp, the
plant may not require added moisture that day. Check
soil moisture at daily intervals the first two weeks,
every two to three days for the next two to four
weeks, then weekly thereafter.
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- 2. Nutrition provisions: Do not allow turf
fertilizer to enter new plant root zone for the first
year! Turf fertilizers applied to areas of slopes
above the new plant may precipitate a plant mortality.
ASI, provides essential nutrients to all ASI installed
plants via high pressure soil injections of
organically derived elements three times during the
first year. ASI's clients may apply a mild root
stimulator solution once each month during the first
year.
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- 3. Pruning: No pruning should be performed during
the first year. Do not remove lower limbs on trees,
they are vital food factories aiding proper
establishment and thickening of the trunk. Dead twigs
and branches can be removed upon identification.
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- 4. Soil disruption: Do not plant, till, or
otherwise disrupt the root ball or the immediately
contingent soil. Do not add mulch derived from Pine
bark; Pine bark mulch contains volatile and toxic
compounds. Use only well composted hardwood chips or
cypress mulch to replace ASI supplied mulch as it
decomposes.
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- 5. Do not allow mulch to contact the bark of the
trunk to prevent bark rot.
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- 6. Do not apply chemical or organic weed control
measures to the root zone area, or to slopes that
drain into the root zone area, of new plants. Grass or
weeds invading the surface of the root ball and the
mulched area can be safely controlled with RoundUp or
Finale, if applied with a wick applicator (spraying
these products on the bark or foliage of any tree or
shrub can have dire consequences).
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- 7. Do not allow tree guys or stakes to remain upon
the tree for more than one year. Do not apply tree
guys or stakes without consulting with ASI.
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- Tree Topping
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- Topping trees shortens their life span! After
topping, pollarding, or heading a tree, the resulting
rapid sucker growth creates a profusion of weak limbs
more dangerous than those removed. . . if the tree
survives! Trust your valuable trees and landscape to
the people with the knowledge, skill, and equipment to
serve you in a professional manner!
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- WE DO NOT TOP TREES!!!
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