I was approached by CalTrans recently to consult on some new construction on the Highway 50 corridor in South Lake Tahoe. The project involved cutting roots around several Jeffrey Pines to allow a concrete retaining wall and curbing to be installed. The engineers wanted to minimize the impact of the excavation in and around the root zone and maintain the tree’s health and vigor as much as possible during and after this project.
My recommendations were standard best management practices for tree preservation during construction. Prior to construction, the trees should have been irrigated during summer months to lessen the shock of losing any feeder roots. After heavy machinery has removed earth around roots, pruning should be done to remove any frayed edges. A four-inch mulch or wood chip layer should be spread around trunk or basal area opposite the digging zone. This will lessen the compaction of soil from heavy machinery which will keep the soil porosity intact as much as possible to allow for water and mineral absorption.
These simple measures are a necessity with any construction project in order to maintain tree integrity. Consulting with a certified arborist is recommended to ensure tree health before, during, and after any construction project.
Excavator removing soil around roots
Exposed roots after soil extraction prior to pruning
