I recently pruned two mature Sugar Maples in preparation for major landscape renovations. I recommended procedures for protection of the root zone to the project coordinators. The night before construstion started there was aprox. 1" of rain. The first day multiple passes were made through the root zone, to 6" from the trunk, by a large excavator. The next day sod was removed to create planting beds. This was done with a small back-hoe, many fine roots were left exposed for the next few days. Next all the planting holes, aprox. 3o holes around the trunks, were dug with said back-hoe. Areas out side of the beds were used as storage for equipment, soil, and other materials. The entire area is aprox. 30'x60' with 90% of the root system in this area. I would be interested in hearing some thoughts on the extent of damage, potential for decline, etc.. Thank you in advance, Eric E.

Reply to post by Eric E, on December 09, 1999 at 22:16:12:

From my experience back in the Northeast, I would say that mature sugar maple trees will have a 100% likelihood of declne due to the conditions that you have described.

Reply to post by Peter Torres, on December 09, 1999 at 22:16:12:

I agree with Peter, you'll start to see some tip dieback in the crown in about three years and by five years major limbs will be gone.

With the booming economy many of the old fish shacks on the lakes here in S/E WI have had extensive renovations. Silver maple is a comon landscape tree for these properties beacause of the high water tables and fast growth.

So now I can use them as a measure for when the work was done. I see the stunted chlorotic leaves and i'll ask if they ahd work done inm the past two years, did heavy equipment drive here? excevation? then I'll recomend they strt to escrow the money for removal 'caus those mosters'll cost a couple of grand to take down!

Reply to post by jps , on December 16, 1999 at 22:26:43:

Hi,

I am forever amazed at the ability of trees to survive. Whilst the damage to structural
roots is not great there will have been reasonable loss to absorbtive roots and in reality
it is ONLY this damage that we are talking about. Given that these are highly ephemeral the
problem may not mean death. Unfortunately most people do not understand roots and you are
correct in realising that the customer calls us when it is too late.

My experience, however, is that early intervention is the key to
winning this battle. Clear guidelines B4 building starts is best.
When this doesn't happen then ealy and ongoing intervention is the next
best thing. Starting the process of ongoing care NOW may yield some
great results in the long term. When you think about it it is not a
lot different from transplanting where most of the absorbtive roots
are lost. In that situation we like to care for the tree 3 to 5 years
after the move. Our first priority is to stimulate absorbtive roots.

That my thoughts, if you don't try you will kill the tree.

Mark

Reply to post by Mark Hartley, on December 17, 1999 at 20:47:25:

Deffinatly try remidiation, and encorage reular irregation.

Tho I would be openly pessimistic about it's survival and recomend planing for it's removal in the future depending on the estimated cost.

I guesse I was picturing the majestic +60yo monsters i was talking about. Plants that were senescent when damaged.