CONSIDERING TREES IN DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES Andrew Lueck Consulting Arborist Planned Forest Solutions LLC
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CONSIDERING TREES IN DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES
Andrew LueckConsulting ArboristPlanned Forest Solutions LLC
1. Why consider trees during development?2. Tree preservation process3. Site design for new trees
OVERVIEW
Any site work that could affect treesConstructionUtility workPavingLandscapingNew land purchase
DEVELOPMENT AND TREES
Legal requirementEnvironmental/social benefitsEconomic value
WHY CONSIDER TREES DURING DEVELOPMENT?
Tree preservation/canopy ordinancesAlign with community values and goalsTree benefits extend beyond the property line~25% of Illinois communities have TPO
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Size requirementsTechniques to preserveCanopy goalsPenalties for noncompliance
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCES
HealthEconomicsSocial
HUMAN/SOCIAL BENEFITS
Source: www.itreetools.org
Regulating – improve physical environmentCultural – nonmaterial benefits for peopleProvisioning – benefits extracted from natureExamples
Carbon sequestration Watershed effects Pollutant removal Wildlife habitat Agriculture
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
1. Preserve existing trees2. Plant new trees to fit the site
HOW DO WE CONSIDER TREES?
Trees are never the most important aspect
Many people involvedMoneyDesign difficulties
WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT?
Cost:Benefit of planting, caring for trees
Environmental InfrastructureReal estate
SHOW THE ECONOMICS
PRESERVING EXISTING TREES
Planning
• Tree resource evaluation
• Suitability for conservation
Design
• Impact evaluation
• Tree management report
Pre-Constructi
on• Tree
protection devices
Construction
• Implementation
• Monitoring
Post-constructio
n• Monitoring• Treatment
Involve all stakeholdersArchitect, builder, landscape architect, arborist, etc. Can’t always protect trees properly if decisions
already made
START AT THE BEGINNING
Planning
• Tree resource evaluation
• Suitability for conservation
Design
• Impact evaluation
• Tree management report
Pre-Constructi
on• Tree
protection devices
Construction
• Implementation
• Monitoring
Post-constructio
n• Monitoring• Treatment
ArboristLandscape ArchitectArchitectClient/Property OwnerConstruction/General ContractorCivil Engineer/SurveyorGovernment
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?
Environmental ScientistUtility CompanySoil ScientistRealtor/DeveloperPublicDepartment Director
Tree advocateTeammateSpecialist, but also a generalistEducator
It’s your fault if tree issues don’t get communicated
ARBORIST’S ROLE IN PLANNING
What documents do I produce? Why did the client hire me?What software and document format?What tools do I use? What are the steps for me and others involved and
how do they relate?How quickly can a crew do pre-construction tree
work?What ordinance am I working under?Who at the city do I need to contact?
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Site survey showing all relevant features
Trees Hydrology Soils Utilities Existing structures
PLANNING PHASE
Size SpeciesConditionSuitability for conservationLandmark/heritage treesAppraised valueTransplant?
TREE RESOURCE EVALUATION
• Entrex – Canopy Cover
EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Develop suitability rating (Good, moderate, poor)
SUITABILITY FOR CONSERVATION
Tree health
Structural integrity
Species response
Tree age and
longevity
Cost-benefit analysis
Location, size, shape of buildings determinedEvaluation of development impactsDrainageGradingTree preservation plan developed
PROJECT DESIGN
DESIGN MODIFICATIONS
Hardscape typesLandscapingDrainage/water issuesRoof height/proximityPavement placement/traffic flowConstruction activity areas
TREE PRESERVATION PLAN COMPONENTS
Areas to be preservedTree protection zones
Tree protection zone barriersSoil erosion controls
Staging and storage areasUtilities
Engagement
Objectives Determine
dResource
Evaluation
Design Review
Suitability for
Conservation
Design Amendmen
ts
Preservation Plan
Government Review Try Again?
PLANNING AND DESIGN
Protection specifications/goals communicated to allProtection zone barriers installed prior to work Tree removal operations shouldn’t damage trees to
remainRoot pruning, other treatments
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Planning
• Tree resource evaluation
• Suitability for conservation
Design
• Impact evaluation
• Tree preservation plan
Pre-Constructi
on• Tree
protection devices
• Treatment
Construction
• Implementation
• Monitoring
Post-constructio
n• Monitoring• Treatment
From soil prep to finished buildingArborist monitoring and reportingCorrective measures specified/implemented for any
damagePeriodic contractor meetings
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Root cutting/damage Excavation equipment Trenching equipment Burning/burial of debris Fill soil over roots and altered water tables
Soil compaction
Mechanical injury to trunk, major roots, crown
Root collar covered by fill soil
MOST COMMON DAMAGE
Part of construction phaseProtections still in placeOne of most common times for tree damage
LANDSCAPE PHASE
Often first point of arborist contactTree conservation recommendations revised if
construction activity has altered tree health/maintenance needs
Tree health monitoredLong-term tree maintenance specifications
implemented
POST-CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Planning
• Tree resource evaluation
• Suitability for conservation
Design
• Impact evaluation
• Tree management report
Pre-Constructi
on• Tree
protection devices
Construction
• Implementation
• Monitoring
Post-constructio
n• Monitoring• Treatment
Did it work?Can effects be mitigated?Trees need to survive long term!
PRESERVATION EVALUATION
New trees required by ordinance (canopy, offsite, too many removed)
TREE PLANTING POST-CONSTRUCTION
1. Site 2. Species3. Location
Source: www.jamesurban.net
Soils/drainageMicroclimateVandalismDe-icing saltsWater availabilityUtilitiesSun and wind exposureClearance over
walks/lawns
SITE FACTORS
Some ConsiderationsDamage potential to
infrastructureMaintenance potentialRoot spacePlant competitionAirborne pollutantsHardiness zonePest managementPedestrian trafficVehicle traffic/damage
Types of planted trees Balled and burlapped Bare root Container
Tree purpose Fruit trees Aesthetics Shade Carbon sequestration, etc.
Matched to siteLook for defectsMarket considerations
PROPER TREE SELECTION
Site
Energy use reduction
Runoff reductionProperty valueErosion reductionWildlife habitatShading/temp
reductionFood production
PLAN FOR SPECIFIC BENEFITS
Neighborhood/community
Heat islandAir qualityRetail salesCommercial rentCrime reductionCommunity cohesion
ENERGY USE REDUCTION
• Long lived• Large trees• Low-dense branches for wind barrier
I-TREE DESIGN
1- American hornbeam2- Red buckeye
www.itreetools.org
MAKE THE DESIGN RIGHT
HOA in Illinois–
400/1000 trees will be removed after 10 years due to space issues
LEED, Sustainable Sites Initiative, Living Building Challenge, Green Globes
Attract tenantsAttract employeesMarket differentiation
TREES IN GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS
Works hand in hand with LEED (shared credits)Climate change, biodiversity, resource depletionDefines sustainable sites, measures performance,
elevates value2 year pilot – 46 certified projectsCertified by GBCI – officially launched June 2015 www.sustainablesites.org
SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE
Credits related to trees
Integrative design processManage precipitation on siteReduce outdoor water useUse appropriate plantsConserve and use native plantsUrban heat island reductionSustainable site maintenance
SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE
Everything works together
BENEFIT INTERRELATION
ISA BMP and Standards ISA website for Tree Preservation SpecsLEED ND - http://www.usgbc.org/certificationSustainable Sites Initiative – www.sustainablesites.orgTrees and Development – Matheny and ClarkUp by Roots – James Urban
RESOURCES
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