NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE ILLINOIS URBAN MANUAL PRACTICE STANDARD TREE PROTECTION (no.) CODE 990

(Source: IN Drainage Handbook)

DEFINITION identified to be protected shall be removed. The protection of individual trees from damage during construction operations. All required protection measures shall be installed prior to the commencement PURPOSE of any site development activity and shall remain in place and in working, The purpose of this practice is to reduce functional order until all site damage to and loss of individual trees development activities have ceased or during construction by implementing the surrounding area has been pre- to post-construction tree protection stabilized. procedures. No construction activities, including the CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE placement of topsoil, shall be permitted APPLIES within the CRZ. In addition, all roadways, parking areas, and storage This practice applies on development areas shall be located outside any CRZ. sites containing individual trees. Refer to practice standard TREE AND Construction fencing (fluorescent FOREST ECOSYSTEM polyethylene laminar safety netting), PRESERVATION 989 for information on wooden snow fence, or approved preserving stands of trees. equivalent with a minimum height of 40 inches shall be installed around the CRZ CRITERIA of all trees to be protected, prior to pruning. The fencing shall be secured The Critical Root Zone (CRZ) is one foot to ground-mounted metal or wood posts outside the perimeter of the leaf canopy of the tree to be protected. This area spaced a maximum of 6 feet apart and maintained to prevent clearing, grading shall be protected from damage during construction operations. Trees not

990 - 1 and development activities from CONSIDERATIONS encroaching within the CRZ. When working within the boundary of a If a higher degree or more permanent municipality, local authorities such as protection is desired a chain link fence the Urban Forester, City Arborist, following criteria in Construction Municipal Forester or Horticulturist, or Specification 91 CHAIN LINK FENCE, a Public Works officials should be wire fence following criteria in contacted to determine locally enforced Construction Specification 92 FIELD tree protection/preservation standards. FENCE, or a comparable wooden structure may be used. A professional forester or certified arborist should be consulted for any Signs shall be posted that identify the clearing of trees and any actions that fenced areas as CRZ. deviate from criteria within this standard. On-site supervision is recommended. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed Trees to be saved should be evaluated outside the CRZ to prevent sediment using the following criteria in priority from reaching the CRZ. order:

Locate roadways, storage areas, 1. Species and condition (maintain parking pads, etc. at least 25 feet from slower growing trees in good the CRZ of an individual tree. condition), 2. Long-term suitability of the tree for its Follow natural contours, where feasible present location, to maintain the natural drainage patterns 3. Length of time to mitigate losses, of the site so as not to cause the tree to 4. Cost of mitigating tree losses, get reduced moisture. 5. Expected long-term maintenance costs for the tree compared to other Do not trench within the CRZ of the trees of the same age/size, protected tree. For roots impacted 6. Soil erosion prevention and outside the CRZ, the roots shall be reduction of storm water runoff, properly pruned according to the Society 7. The number of other trees growing of American Foresters, National Arborist under the same conditions and the Association and International Society of precedent that would be set by Arboriculture standard of using the removing the tree in question, appropriate pruning tool to make a clean 8. Impact on property value and cut. The use of heavy equipment such aesthetics, as a backhoe for tree root pruning shall 9. Ability to screen noise and visual be prohibited. improprieties or ability to enhance privacy, and In situations where it is not feasible to 10. Ability to moderate temperature avoid impact in the critical root zone, changes, provide shade and reduce follow criteria in practice standard TREE wind forces. PROTECTION - AUGERING 991.

990 - 2 Trees to be removed should be cherry. Exceptions may be made for evaluated using the following criteria in large healthy specimens of these priority order: species. 10. Tree is within five feet of a structure 1. In the opinion of the professional or that when mature will have a forester or certified arborist, there is canopy spread that will overlap the a clear and reasonable risk of failure structure. Consult with an arborist or that could cause injury or property forester. damage including existing utility 11. The tree could be successfully service and corrective measures are transplanted with a tree spade onto not feasible and/or the tree is a another site. safety hazard. 12. Trees that are non-native species or 2. Tree is dead. invasive. 3. The tree is in poor condition with several dead branches or major A mitigation plan for damaged trees crack(s). should be prepared in consultation with 4. Contiguous and fatal disease is a professional forester or certified present as diagnosed by a trained arborist and included with construction entomologist, plant pathologist or plans and contract documents. professional forester. 5. Current tree damage is beyond When site soil resources have been repair or the tree is in extremely poor greatly altered, it is recommended a soil shape due to storm damage or restoration strategy be implemented. previous mechanical injury. The strategy may include: 6. There is a potential of the tree to damage existing or future hardscape 1. Scarifying compacted areas features such as driveways or 2. Adding top soil in areas of extreme sidewalks. erosion 7. There is no feasible way to avoid 3. Adding about 12 inches of well-rotted disturbing the soil around, grading leaf compost over, or placing a hardened surface 4. Adding ground cover using within the critical root zone and the herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, and tree is an oak, hickory, red bud, trees. Use of native species is horse chestnut, Kentucky coffee encouraged. tree, larch, honey locust, or conifer. Consultation with a professional PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS forester is required prior to using this Plans and specifications for tree criteria for tree removal. protection shall be in keeping with this 8. Tree has a greater than 45 degree standard and will describe the lean toward traffic or another target requirements for applying the practice. or it creates an unsafe vision At a minimum include the following clearance for pedestrians or items: vehicular traffic. 9. Tree is a fast growing or a weak 1. All existing trees by species, wooded tree that is invasive such as location, and diameter at 4 ½ feet box elder, silver maple, tree of above the ground and clearly heaven, Russian olive or black

990 - 3 indicate the trees and/or branches to http://willow.ncfes.umn.edu/HT_prune/P be removed. RUN001.HTM 2. Locations of roadways, storage areas, truck clean-out areas, and Publications parking pads, in relationship to the trees to be protected. American Association of Nurserymen, 3. Location and type of fencing to be 1996. American Standards for Nursery used to protect trees, including the Stock. American National Standards distance for placing the fencing Institute, Inc., Washington D.C. around the CRZ. 4. Types and locations of signs. Clark and Metheny, 1998. Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to All plans shall include the installation, Preservation of Trees During Land inspection, and maintenance schedules Development. International Society of with the responsible party identified. Arboriculture, Champaign, IL

Standard drawing IL-690 TREE Fazio, J.R., ed., 1991. How to Save PROTECTION - FENCING may be used Trees During Construction. Tree City as the plan sheet. USA Bulletin #7. The National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Fazio, J.R., ed., 1991. A Systematic The protective signs and fences will be Approach to Building With Trees. Tree removed only after all construction work City USA Bulletin #20. The National has been finished, including final Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, grading and shaping of the site, and the NE site has been inspected by a professional forester for damages to the Fazio, J.R., ed., 1996. How to Manage trees. Community Natural Areas. Tree City USA Bulletin #27. The National Arbor On active construction sites, it is Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE recommended that trees be inspected every 7 days for compliance. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Inspections shall include a listing of Resources, 1999. Urban and trees with: Community Forestry Program Tree Planting Standards, Springfield, IL 1. Damage to trunks 2. Mounding of soil around the trunk Watson, G., ed., 1998. Selecting and 3. Evidence of root damage Planting Trees. The Morton Arboretum, 4. Evidence of improper pruning Lisle, IL

REFERENCES Watson, G. and E.B. Himelick, 1997. Principles and Practices of Planting Websites Trees and Shrubs. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL http://www2.champaign.isa-arbor.com/c atalog/publications.html

990 - 4 Wenger, K, 1996. The Forestry Handbook. Society of American Foresters, Bethesda, MD

Videos

Root Injury and Tree Health. Illinois Arborists, the Morton Arboretum, the USDA Forest Service and the International Society of Arboriculture.

Trenching and Tunneling: A Video Guide for Excavating Around Trees. The Davey Resource Group. The International Society of Arboriculture and the Utility Arborist Association.

NRCS IL April 2000 urbst990.doc

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