I appreciate any thoughts on this issue . I'm a Municipal arborist in Hamiltron Ontario Canada in in our community Tulp trees are rare and found in protected area of the city .A resident called me regarding a 22 inch caliper Tulip tree in his back yard which he is going to do some major construction within the dripline .(approx. 25 % ) The soil is a sandy loam and The tree is in good condition with above average growth over the past three yaers . In our region we have been experencing drought in these last three years . Could any one direct me to another source then Dirr for information on construction sensitivity of Tulip trees . Thanks Rick Lipstt

Reply to post by Rick Lipsitt, on March 23, 2002 at 21:04:30:

Hi Rick, The immediate reference which springs to my mind is Nelda Matheny and Jim Clarke's book "Trees and Development". The only references in there are,

1/ Moderate relative tolerance to development impacts. Intolerant of root pruning and sensitive to wounding. According to Fraedrich and Sydnor.

2/ Poor relative tolerance to developmement impacts. Intolerant of mechanical injury (poor compartmentalization). Response constrained by soil aeration and water availability. According to Dr.Kim Coder.

Sounds like a NO to me, or a lot of protection/engineering.

James.

Reply to post by James Causton, on March 23, 2002 at 21:04:30:

Agree w james and his references. Would add it may be entirely possible to impact 25% of root zone of a Liriodendron tulipifera IF:

Remaining 75% of root zone is enhanced,

No large root or trunk wounds.

here in NC big tuliptrees are very common but seldom survive unprotected after construction damage. there at the northern edge of their range, I would guess much TLC and religious protection needed.

No reason it can't be tried if preservation is continually monitored, and moisture level of soil maintained.

Reply to post by Guy, on March 23, 2002 at 22:10:09:

A key consideration would be the age-vigor (or vitality if you're into that whole distinction) of the tree. Here in SE NY - SW CT, 22" is likely an adolescent L.t. with rapid growth rates and a long remaining life if not impacted by external factors. In a non-stressed environment it would be far from mature. How mature or over-mature is a 22" individual in your environment?

Reply to post by Scott Cullen, on March 24, 2002 at 20:05:25:

Scott . In Ontario a Tulip tree of 22 inches would be considered to be mature . In Burlington we have one which , is 24 inches . This tree is on our Honour Roll.
I revisited the tree today and found that the resident is doing major work far grater than 25 % then first explained . The reisdent is installing a pool within 3 ft of trunk . I informed him to keep the tree would be hazardous and the likley hood of survival would be slime . I want to thank all the respondants to my request . From a Arborist in Canada . Eh ! . Rick

Reply to post by Rick Lipsitt, on March 29, 2002 at 07:21:57:

Rick/All,

The sad end to this tale reminds me of the many times that customers misrepresented their intent to me (and themselves), or let others take things out of control.

This is one more reason I've adopted a blatantly tree-centered, rather than a client- centered approach, as debated on a previous thread. By having the tree's interests in mind first, I'm a little less easily and often fooled by a client's efforts to fool himself.

Arborcentrism works better than anthopocentrism for me and the trees I'm paid to manage, because people are less trustworthy than trees.

A 22" Liriodendron 3' from the pool?
I hate when that happens; whatever we can do to make that happen less is the right thing to do, for the trees and the customers and us too.