Protecting Trees During Construction in the Tulsa Metro

Tree Protection Should Begin Before Design Is Finalized

The best opportunity to preserve trees occurs before:

• Buildings are positioned
• Driveways are designed
• Utilities are routed
• Grading plans are finalized
• Equipment-access routes are selected
• Construction fencing is installed
• Contractors begin work

Early arborist involvement may allow the project team to:

• Identify trees worth preserving
• Identify trees with limited preservation potential
• Adjust building placement
• Modify foundations
• Reroute utilities
• Change driveway or sidewalk design
• Use suspended or root-sensitive pavement systems
• Reduce grading impacts
• Establish realistic Tree Protection Zones
• Plan supervised root pruning
• Avoid unnecessary conflicts
• Develop practical monitoring requirements

Once significant roots have been severed or soil has been compacted, management options become more limited.

Tree protection is more effective when it influences the project design rather than being added after construction has already begun.

What Is a Tree Protection Zone?

A Tree Protection Zone, commonly abbreviated TPZ, is a defined area established around a tree or group of trees to reduce construction-related injury.

The TPZ may protect:

• Structural roots
• Fine roots
• Root-zone soil
• Root flare
• Buttress roots
• Trunk
• Lower branches
• Crown
• Existing grade
• Drainage patterns
• Future growing space

A TPZ is not simply a circle drawn around the trunk.

An effective TPZ requires:

• A clearly defined boundary
• Appropriate fencing
• Visible signage
• Written restrictions
• Contractor communication
• Monitoring
• Enforcement
• Procedures for unavoidable access
• Documentation of any incursions

A TPZ reduces avoidable damage but cannot guarantee tree survival.

Critical Root Zone and Tree Protection Zone

The terms Critical Root Zone (CRZ) and Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) are related but are not always interchangeable.

Critical Root Zone

The Critical Root Zone, commonly abbreviated CRZ, generally refers to the soil and rooting area considered important to the tree’s health and structural function.

A preliminary CRZ may be estimated using trunk diameter, but a simple formula does not describe every root system accurately.

Actual root distribution may be affected by:

• Tree species
• Tree age
• Tree condition
• Soil texture
• Soil depth
• Compaction
• Drainage
• Pavement
• Buildings
• Retaining walls
• Utilities
• Previous excavation
• Grade changes
• Root barriers
• Neighboring vegetation
• Irrigation
• Site history

Tree Protection Zone

The TPZ is the area that will actually be protected during the project.

It may be:

• Equal to the estimated CRZ
• Larger than the estimated CRZ
• Smaller where site constraints require compromise
• Irregularly shaped
• Expanded in areas containing important roots
• Modified around existing structures
• Supplemented with additional soil-protection measures

The proposed TPZ should be based on the tree, site, project, and preservation objective—not solely on a generic radius.

A Generic Radius Is Only a Starting Point

A commonly used preliminary guideline estimates root-protection distance based on trunk diameter.

That type of calculation may provide an initial planning reference, but it should not be treated as a complete root map or universal protection boundary.

For example, roots may extend:

• Beneath driveways
• Toward irrigated turf
• Along utility trenches
• Around foundations
• Away from compacted areas
• Through neighboring properties
• Beyond the crown
• Into narrow areas of suitable soil

Conversely, roots may be restricted by:

• Buildings
• Retaining walls
• Rock
• Previous excavation
• Soil compaction
• Pavement
• Root barriers
• Poor drainage
• Fill
• Utility work

A credentialed arborist may adjust the protection area according to observed conditions and project requirements.

Our Construction Tree Protection Process

1. Define the Project and Preservation Objectives

The process begins by reviewing:

• Property boundaries
• Proposed construction
• Grading
• Utility routes
• Access routes
• Staging areas
• Trees proposed for retention
• Trees proposed for removal
• Client priorities
• Municipal requirements
• Project deadlines
• Existing plans and surveys
• Required deliverables

The client and project team should identify which trees are intended to be preserved and what design flexibility remains.

2. Inventory and Evaluate Existing Trees

A pre-construction tree inventory may document:

• Tree number
• Location
• Species
• Trunk diameter
• Approximate height
• Crown spread
• Condition
• Structural observations
• Health observations
• Root-zone limitations
• Preservation suitability
• Photographs
• Recommended status

Trees may be categorized as:

• Suitable for preservation
• Suitable for preservation with specific limitations
• Requiring additional assessment
• Poor candidates for retention
• Proposed for removal

The categories should reflect the assignment and should not be confused with formal tree risk ratings unless a tree risk assessment is performed.

3. Evaluate Potential Construction Impacts

The arborist may compare tree locations with:

• Building footprints
• Foundations
• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Patios
• Pools
• Retaining walls
• Utility trenches
• Drainage improvements
• Grading
• Equipment routes
• Material-storage areas
• Temporary facilities
• Future landscape plans

This review helps identify conflicts before ground disturbance occurs.

4. Investigate Roots Where Necessary

When root location may affect an important design decision, additional investigation may include:

• ArboRadix® Root Detection
• AirSpade exploration
• Root Collar Excavation
• Existing utility or construction records
• Soil investigation
• Review of previous excavation
• Limited exploratory trenching under arborist supervision

Root investigation should be focused on areas where the information may influence design or preservation decisions.

5. Develop the Tree Protection Plan

The written plan may include:

• Trees to retain
• Trees to remove
• TPZ boundaries
• Fencing specifications
• Signage
• Access restrictions
• Root-pruning procedures
• Equipment routes
• Material-storage restrictions
• Grade limitations
• Utility-installation methods
• Trunk and crown protection
• Soil-protection methods
• Contractor responsibilities
• Arborist-monitoring requirements
• Procedures for proposed TPZ access
• Reporting and documentation
• Post-construction management

6. Install and Verify Protection Before Work Begins

Tree-protection measures should be installed before:

• Demolition
• Clearing
• Grading
• Equipment mobilization
• Material delivery
• Utility work
• Construction access

The arborist may inspect the site to confirm:

• Correct fence location
• Fence stability
• Signage
• Access controls
• Protected soil
• Contractor understanding
• Existing tree condition
• Baseline photographs

7. Monitor Construction

Monitoring may include:

• Scheduled site visits
• Visits before high-impact work
• Documentation of TPZ condition
• Observation of trenching or root pruning
• Review of access changes
• Documentation of violations
• Corrective recommendations
• Communication with the project team
• Photographs and written field notes

Monitoring does not replace the contractor’s responsibility to follow the plans and specifications.

8. Complete a Post-Construction Evaluation

After construction, the arborist may evaluate:

• TPZ condition
• Known incursions
• Root damage
• Soil compaction
• Grade changes
• Trunk or branch injury
• Drainage
• Irrigation
• Tree health
• Structural concerns
• Need for remediation
• Monitoring intervals

Long-term follow-up may be recommended because construction-related symptoms may develop gradually.

Tree Protection Zone Fencing

Fencing is one of the most important components of an effective TPZ.

Appropriate fencing should be:

• Installed before site disturbance
• Clearly visible
• Stable
• Difficult to relocate unintentionally
• Maintained throughout construction
• Positioned according to the approved plan
• Supported by warning signs

Depending on the project, fencing may include:

• Chain-link panels
• Rigid construction fencing
• Wood-framed barriers
• Other durable materials appropriate to the site

Lightweight plastic fencing may not provide adequate protection on projects with:

• Heavy equipment
• Frequent contractor traffic
• Long construction periods
• Public access
• High-value trees
• Repeated pressure to enter the protected area

The protection plan should identify the required material and installation method.

Tree Protection Zone Signage

Signs should clearly communicate that the area is protected.

Signage may state:

• Tree Protection Zone
• Keep Out
• No Equipment
• No Storage
• No Excavation
• No Grade Change
• No Parking
• No Washout
• Arborist Approval Required Before Entry
• Contact Information

Signs should be:

• Visible from active work areas
• Installed at practical intervals
• Weather resistant
• Maintained throughout the project

Fencing without clear communication may be ignored or misunderstood.

Activities Generally Prohibited Within a TPZ

Unless specifically approved in the tree-protection plan, prohibited activities may include:

• Vehicle access
• Equipment operation
• Parking
• Material storage
• Soil stockpiling
• Dumpster placement
• Fuel storage
• Chemical storage
• Concrete washout
• Trenching
• Excavation
• Grading
• Fill placement
• Soil removal
• Utility installation
• Temporary buildings
• Worker break areas
• Fires
• Disposal of waste
• Mixing materials
• Damage to branches or trunks
• Relocation of fencing

The TPZ should be treated as an exclusion area rather than unused construction space.

When Access Inside a TPZ Is Unavoidable

Some projects cannot avoid all activity within the proposed root-protection area.

When access is unavoidable, the project team should evaluate:

• Why access is necessary
• Duration
• Type of equipment
• Expected loading
• Soil conditions
• Root locations
• Available alternatives
• Required supervision
• Protective measures
• Restoration
• Monitoring

Potential protective measures may include:

• Temporary load-distribution mats
• Thick mulch layers beneath mats where appropriate
• Plywood or engineered access systems
• Limited equipment size
• Defined travel paths
• Dry-weather access
• Arborist supervision
• AirSpade root verification
• Directional boring
• Hand excavation
• Vacuum excavation where appropriate
• Immediate restoration

Authorization should be documented before the TPZ is entered.

Permission for limited access should not be interpreted as permission for unrestricted construction activity.

Soil Compaction During Construction

Soil compaction can reduce:

• Pore space
• Oxygen availability
• Water infiltration
• Root growth
• Soil biological activity
• Drainage
• Root function

Compaction may result from:

• Heavy equipment
• Repeated vehicle traffic
• Material storage
• Worker traffic
• Soil stockpiles
• Temporary buildings
• Vibration
• Work during wet soil conditions

Compaction can occur even when roots are not visibly cut.

Preventing compaction is generally more effective than attempting to correct it after construction.

Where compaction occurs, potential recommendations may include:

• AirSpade decompaction
• Vertical mulching
• Radial trenching
• Mulch
• Traffic exclusion
• Soil testing
• Irrigation modification
• Long-term monitoring

Remediation cannot guarantee complete restoration of the original soil structure or root function.

Grade Changes Around Trees

Adding or removing soil may significantly affect roots.

Added Fill

Fill soil may:

• Reduce oxygen movement
• Alter drainage
• Bury the root flare
• Cover trunk tissues
• Promote abnormal root development
• Change soil moisture
• Stress or kill roots

Grade Reduction

Removing soil may:

• Sever roots
• Expose roots
• Reduce available soil volume
• Alter drainage
• Destabilize the tree
• Increase drought stress
• Damage buttress roots

Even relatively small grade changes may be important when they occur close to the trunk or across a large part of the root zone.

Proposed grade changes should be reviewed before construction.

Trenching and Utility Installation

Open trenching may sever many roots along a continuous line.

Potential alternatives may include:

• Rerouting
• Directional boring
• Tunneling beneath important roots
• Hand excavation
• AirSpade excavation
• Vacuum excavation where appropriate
• Shallower installation
• Shared utility corridors
• Above-grade routing
• Design modification

The appropriate method depends on:

• Utility type
• Required depth
• Root location
• Tree condition
• Soil
• Distance from the trunk
• Project constraints
• Safety requirements
• Applicable codes

Boring does not automatically eliminate tree impacts. Entry pits, exit pits, depth, drilling fluid, root position, and equipment access must also be considered.

Root Pruning During Construction

When roots must be cut, controlled root pruning is generally preferable to tearing, crushing, or ripping roots with excavation equipment.

Root pruning may include:

• Exposing roots before cutting
• Identifying root size and direction
• Using clean, sharp tools
• Making defined cuts
• Protecting retained roots
• Limiting exposure
• Documenting root diameter and distance from the trunk
• Updating preservation and risk recommendations

Root pruning may affect:

• Tree vitality
• Water uptake
• Nutrient uptake
• Anchorage
• Decay development
• Crown condition
• Remaining useful life

Large roots near the trunk should not be cut casually.

A tree risk assessment or additional stability evaluation may be warranted when substantial structural roots are affected.

ArboRadix® Root Detection

ArboRadix® is a specialized root-detection application used with the Arbotom® sensor system.

It may help investigate probable locations of significant roots within selected areas around a tree.

Potential construction applications include:

• Utility routing
• Foundation planning
• Driveway design
• Sidewalk replacement
• Retaining-wall placement
• Pool and patio planning
• Tree Protection Zone refinement
• Planning exploratory excavation
• Root-conflict evaluation

ArboRadix® does not:

• Map every root
• Determine the health of every root
• Measure anchorage
• Determine whole-tree stability
• Guarantee root avoidance
• Replace a legal survey
• Replace physical verification where important excavation is proposed

It may help the project team make better-informed decisions and focus additional investigation.

AirSpade Root Verification

AirSpade excavation may be used to expose selected roots and verify conditions before construction.

It may document:

• Root presence
• Root diameter
• Root depth
• Root direction
• Visible condition
• Existing wounds
• Previous root cuts
• Soil layering
• Fill depth
• Construction conflicts

Air excavation is minimally disruptive rather than completely non-invasive.

It exposes selected areas and does not reveal the entire root system.

ArboRadix® and AirSpade investigation may be used together:

• ArboRadix® helps identify probable root locations
• AirSpade excavation provides direct visual verification in selected areas

Root Collar

Excavation During Construction Planning

Root Collar Excavation, abbreviated RCX, may be appropriate when:

• The natural root flare is not visible
• Fill or mulch has accumulated
• Stem-girdling roots are suspected
• Foundation or grade decisions depend on the tree’s actual base
• Root-collar decay is suspected
• Baseline documentation is needed
• The tree’s structural-root arrangement is uncertain

RCX may clarify:

• Original grade
• Trunk-to-root transition
• Buttress-root position
• Stem-girdling roots
• Root-collar wounds
• Construction fill
• Abnormal root development

This information may affect TPZ design and construction recommendations.

Protecting Tree Trunks and Crowns

Construction damage is not limited to roots.

Potential above-ground injuries include:

• Bark removal
• Trunk impacts
• Broken branches
• Equipment collision
• Heat injury
• Concrete or chemical contact
• Improper clearance pruning
• Attachment of signs, wires, or fencing
• Storage against the trunk
• Changes in wind exposure

Protection measures may include:

• Adequate TPZ fencing
• Equipment-clearance planning
• Defined access routes
• Temporary trunk protection where appropriate
• Arborist-directed pruning before construction
• Spotters
• Lift-plan coordination
• Restrictions on attachments
• Protection from fire and heat

Wrapping boards around a trunk does not protect the root system and should not be used as a substitute for an adequate TPZ.

Pre-Construction Pruning

Pruning may be recommended before construction to:

• Remove specified dead or broken branches
• Provide necessary equipment clearance
• Reduce risk associated with defined defects
• Improve access without random branch damage
• Establish clearance for the completed structure
• Avoid emergency cutting by construction crews

Pruning should:

• Have a defined objective
• Follow applicable ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards
• Avoid excessive live-crown removal
• Avoid topping
• Avoid unnecessary large cuts
• Retain adequate live crown
• Account for the tree’s future needs

Construction clearance should be planned rather than improvised after equipment arrives.

Changes in Wind Exposure

Removing neighboring trees or buildings may change the wind environment around retained trees.

A previously sheltered tree may experience increased loading after:

• Clearing
• Demolition
• Removal of adjacent trees
• Changes in building configuration
• Opening of a forest or stand edge

The tree may have developed under a different exposure condition.

The arborist may consider:

• Tree form
• Crown balance
• Root condition
• Species
• Previous exposure
• Defects
• Proposed clearing
• Need for risk assessment
• Need for phased pruning
• Monitoring

Wind exposure should not automatically lead to heavy crown thinning. Excessive thinning may create additional stress and does not guarantee improved stability.

Drainage and Irrigation Changes

Construction may alter:

• Surface drainage
• Subsurface drainage
• Irrigation coverage
• Soil moisture
• Runoff
• Ponding
• Roof drainage
• Water concentration
• Root-zone drying

Both excessive and insufficient soil moisture can affect tree health.

The tree-protection plan may recommend:

• Preserving existing drainage
• Redirecting runoff
• Avoiding ponding within the root zone
• Adjusting irrigation
• Preventing irrigation spray against the trunk
• Monitoring soil moisture
• Installing temporary irrigation during construction
• Reviewing final grading before completion

Concrete Washout, Fuels, and Chemicals

Tree Protection Zones should not be used for:

• Concrete washout
• Paint disposal
• Fuel storage
• Equipment maintenance
• Chemical storage
• Cleaning tools
• Waste disposal
• Contaminated-water discharge

These materials may affect:

• Soil pH
• Soil chemistry
• Roots
• Soil organisms
• Water movement
• Tree health

Dedicated containment areas should be established away from protected tree roots and drainage paths.

Tree Protection Specifications for Contractors

A written contractor guidance package may include:

• Approved tree-protection plan
• Tree inventory
• TPZ map
• Fencing detail
• Signage
• Prohibited activities
• Approved access routes
• Root-pruning procedures
• Utility-installation requirements
• Grade limitations
• Material-storage areas
• Concrete-washout locations
• Arborist-contact information
• Inspection schedule
• Violation procedures
• Corrective-action requirements
• Reporting responsibilities

The specifications should be incorporated into applicable construction documents whenever practical.

Tree protection is more effective when it is treated as a project requirement rather than a voluntary suggestion.

Pre-Construction Meeting

A pre-construction meeting may include:

• Owner
• Developer
• General contractor
• Site superintendent
• Arborist
• Architect
• Landscape architect
• Engineer
• Utility contractor
• Grading contractor
• Other relevant subcontractors

The meeting may review:

• Trees to retain
• Trees to remove
• TPZ boundaries
• Access routes
• Utility conflicts
• Root-pruning procedures
• Material storage
• Grade changes
• Monitoring
• Emergency contact procedures
• Required arborist presence
• Documentation

Early communication reduces misunderstandings and unplanned damage.

Construction Monitoring

A tree-protection plan is effective only when implemented.

Monitoring may occur:

• Before demolition
• After fencing installation
• Before grading
• Before excavation near trees
• During root pruning
• During utility installation
• Before paving
• After major storms
• When the construction plan changes
• At scheduled project intervals
• Before fencing is removed
• At project completion

Monitoring may document:

• Fence condition
• TPZ incursions
• Soil compaction
• Root damage
• Grade changes
• Trunk and branch damage
• Unauthorized storage
• Utility conflicts
• Corrective actions
• Tree-condition changes

The frequency should reflect the project’s complexity and potential for tree impacts.

Tree Protection Zone Violations

Potential violations may include:

• Moving fencing
• Parking inside the TPZ
• Storing materials
• Trenching
• Excavating
• Adding fill
• Removing soil
• Damaging roots
• Damaging the trunk
• Breaking branches
• Dumping liquids
• Operating equipment
• Installing utilities without approval
• Changing grade
• Using the area for worker access

When a violation occurs, the response may include:

1. Stopping the activity
2. Documenting the condition
3. Notifying the responsible parties
4. Evaluating the affected tree and soil
5. Identifying corrective options
6. Revising the protection plan
7. Increasing monitoring
8. Reassessing preservation feasibility
9. Updating risk or management recommendations

Corrective treatment cannot guarantee that a damaged tree will recover.

Construction Documentation

Construction-tree documentation may include:

• Baseline photographs
• Tree inventory
• Site plans
• TPZ maps
• Root-detection findings
• AirSpade findings
• Meeting notes
• Monitoring reports
• Violation notices
• Root-pruning records
• Contractor communications
• Post-construction photographs
• Tree health observations
• Tree risk assessments
• Final recommendations

Documentation may support:

• Project management
• Municipal compliance
• HOA records
• Contractor accountability
• Insurance matters
• Legal matters
• Long-term monitoring
• Future property decisions

Documentation does not independently establish negligence, liability, or legal damages.

Post-Construction Tree Evaluation

After major construction activities are complete, an evaluation may consider:

• Tree Protection Zone condition
• Root-zone disturbance
• Soil compaction
• Grade changes
• Drainage
• Irrigation
• Root damage
• Trunk and branch injury
• Crown condition
• New exposure
• Construction debris
• Mulch
• Need for remediation
• Need for monitoring
• Need for tree risk assessment

Potential recommendations may include:

• Continued fencing
• Mulch
• Irrigation modification
• AirSpade decompaction
• Vertical mulching
• Root Collar Excavation
• Prescription pruning
• Tree health monitoring
• Advanced diagnostics
• Formal tree risk assessment
• Removal when preservation is no longer reasonable

Post-construction treatment should be based on documented conditions rather than automatically applying fertilizer or pruning.

Delayed Construction-Related Decline

Construction-related symptoms may appear:

• During construction
• During the first growing season
• Several years after completion
• After drought or severe weather increases stress

Potential symptoms include:

• Reduced annual growth
• Crown thinning
• Smaller leaves
• Chlorosis
• Branch dieback
• Premature leaf drop
• Epicormic growth
• Increased pest activity
• Fungal fruiting structures
• Root decay
• Tree instability

Delayed symptoms do not automatically prove that construction caused the decline.

Evaluation should consider:

• Pre-construction condition
• Documented impacts
• Timing
• Species
• Weather
• Soil
• Irrigation
• Other diseases or pests
• Previous management
• Alternative contributing factors

Construction Tree Protection and Tree Risk Assessment

Construction tree protection and tree risk assessment answer related but different questions.

Construction Tree Protection

Construction tree protection focuses on:

• Avoiding root and soil damage
• Protecting trunks and crowns
• Integrating trees into project design
• Establishing Tree Protection Zones
• Monitoring construction
• Supporting long-term preservation

Tree Risk Assessment

Tree risk assessment evaluates:

• Specific failure scenarios
• Likelihood of failure
• Likelihood of impact
• Consequences
• Overall risk rating
• Mitigation options

A tree may be healthy enough to preserve but require risk mitigation.

A tree may also have a low current risk rating but be a poor candidate for construction retention because of expected root loss or limited future growing space.

Both services may be appropriate.

Construction Tree Protection for Municipalities and Public Agencies

Davis Family Arbor Services provides construction-tree consulting for:

• Municipalities
• Public agencies
• Parks
• Schools
• Campuses
• Public facilities
• Streetscapes
• Utility projects
• Roadway projects
• Trail projects
• Public developments
• Other managed public properties

Services may include:

• Tree inventories
• Preservation suitability
• Plan review
• Tree Protection Zones
• Root detection
• AirSpade verification
• Construction specifications
• Contractor meetings
• Construction monitoring
• Violation documentation
• Post-construction evaluation
• Long-term management planning

Public projects may also require:

• Procurement compliance
• Agency-specific specifications
• Permit coordination
• Traffic or pedestrian control
• Public access management
• Standardized reporting
• Coordination with multiple departments

Construction Tree Protection for Residential Projects

Residential projects that may affect trees include:

• New homes
• Home additions
• Garages
• Shops
• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Patios
• Pools
• Retaining walls
• Outdoor kitchens
• Utility upgrades
• Septic work
• Drainage projects
• Landscape renovations
• Fence installation

Even relatively small projects may affect important roots when work occurs near a mature tree.

A residential tree-protection consultation may help the homeowner and contractor identify practical alternatives before excavation begins.

Construction Tree Protection for Commercial and Development Projects

Commercial and development assignments may include:

• Site inventories
• Tree-retention analysis
• Preservation-priority mapping
• Plan review
• TPZ specifications
• Root investigation
• Utility coordination
• Grading review
• Contractor guidance
• Monitoring
• Compliance documentation
• Post-construction evaluation

Early involvement may help reduce:

• Design conflicts
• Change orders
• Unnecessary removals
• Construction delays
• Long-term tree decline
• Disputes over preserved trees
• Costs associated with failed preservation

What the Written Tree Protection Plan May Include

Depending on the agreed scope, the plan may include:

• Client and project information
• Assignment purpose
• Plan review
• Tree inventory
• Tree identification and measurements
• Tree condition
• Preservation suitability
• Tree-retention and removal recommendations
• Site map
• Tree Protection Zones
• Fencing specifications
• Signage
• Root-protection requirements
• Root-pruning specifications
• Grade limitations
• Utility recommendations
• Access routes
• Material-storage areas
• Soil-protection methods
• Crown-clearance recommendations
• Prohibited activities
• Monitoring schedule
• Contractor responsibilities
• Violation procedures
• Post-construction recommendations
• Photographs
• Assumptions and limitations
• Arborist credentials and signature

Not every project requires every listed item.

The proposal identifies the scope and deliverables before work begins.

Limitations of Construction Tree Protection

Construction tree protection has important limitations.

A protection plan cannot guarantee:

• Tree survival
• Absence of decline
• Absence of branch or whole-tree failure
• Contractor compliance
• Avoidance of every root
• Successful response to remediation
• Future site suitability
• Protection from severe weather
• Elimination of all risk

Preservation outcomes may be affected by:

• Pre-existing tree condition
• Root-system limitations
• Unavoidable project impacts
• Weather
• Soil
• Irrigation
• Contractor compliance
• Changes to construction plans
• Monitoring
• Post-construction management
• Tree species and age

The arborist provides professional recommendations. The owner, developer, project manager, and contractors remain responsible for project authorization and implementation within their respective roles.

Professional Qualifications

Construction tree-protection consulting is led by Brad Davis, whose qualifications include:

• ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® MW-6328B
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
• ISA Florida Chapter Prescription Pruning Qualified
• Member, International Society of Arboriculture
• Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists

Recommendations are informed by:

• Tree biology
• Root biology
• Soil conditions
• Tree architecture
• Species characteristics
• Site-specific observations
• ISA Best Management Practices
• Applicable ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment methodology
• Current arboricultural research
• Construction documents
• Advanced diagnostic information when appropriate
• Professional field experience

Fees, Scheduling, and Deliverables

Construction tree protection is a fee-based professional consulting service.

Fees depend on:

• Property size
• Tree count
• Project complexity
• Plan-review requirements
• Tree inventory
• Mapping
• Root investigation
• ArboRadix® testing
• AirSpade work
• Tree risk assessment
• Meetings
• Monitoring frequency
• Reporting
• Travel
• Municipal requirements
• Construction schedule
• Deadlines

A written proposal may identify:

• Included trees
• Plan-review scope
• Site visits
• Tree inventory
• TPZ design
• Root investigation
• Written specifications
• Meetings
• Monitoring
• Reporting
• Fees
• Payment terms
• Anticipated schedule
• Optional services
• Assumptions and limitations

Construction-phase monitoring, emergency visits, project changes, additional meetings, root pruning, and post-construction evaluations may be billed separately unless included in the agreement.

Service Area

Davis Family Arbor Services provides construction tree-protection consulting throughout:

• Tulsa
• South Tulsa
• Broken Arrow
• Jenks
• Bixby
• Sapulpa
• Glenpool
• Sand Springs
• Tulsa County
• Wagoner County
• Surrounding northeastern Oklahoma communities

Statewide assignments may be considered for:

• Municipalities
• Public agencies
• Developers
• Architects
• Engineers
• Commercial properties
• Campuses
• Institutions
• Historic properties
• Significant or technically complex projects