Unfortunately, when the above question is asked its probably too late to halt the death of the plant in question. What about prolonging the inevitable? Probably by creating optimum growing conditions and a precise plan for meticulous care, the destroyed tree?EUR??,,????'???s demise can be delayed. The time to have saved the tree was before construction began, not after the project is finished and the tree?EUR??,,????'???s health and vigor is obviously demonstrating signs of decline; the tree is suffering from what we in the Green Industry refer to ?EUR??,,????'??bulldozeritus?EUR??,,????'??. The shame is construction damage to trees is easy to avoid. If the first person to arrive and begin work at a construction zone were an Arborist or a certified Plantsman or a landscaper, someone with intensive tree care knowledge, countless thousands of valuable trees would be saved each year. The same above-mentioned plant professional should be perpetually consulted during all phases of construction to insure continual plant protection. In actuality, usually the last person scheduled to arrive at a new structure?EUR??,,????'???s site is the Green Industry professional. By this time most of the destruction of desirable existing vegetation has already occurred. With luck the irrigation installer, usually the next to last contractor to be on site, was cognizant of plant root zones and avoided compounding existing plant destruction by not creating even more sub terrain damage while digging pipe trenches. Note the above statement was prefaced by ?EUR??,,????'??with luck.?EUR??,,????'?? Don?EUR??,,????'???t assume that just because the irrigation contractor knows about gallon-per-minute water flow and head-to-head coverage he also has knowledge of plant physiology. Aggressively protecting existing wanted species of vegetation, during all phases of new construction or renovation projects, is simply a side effect of having all contractors and Green Industry professionals on a job site communicating and smoothly working together as an integrated team. A recently observed example of a breakdown in the chain of communication on a construction site will forever leave its effects on a beautiful pin oak tree. This is also an example of passive action, as opposed to a proactive type of action taken to protect and save trees: The Landscape Contractor asked the general building contractor to stay away from the tree?EUR??,,????'???s drip line. The city?EUR??,,????'???s landscape zoning inspector informed the general building contractor that everyone should keep away from the tree. The general building contractor told all of the subcontractors, including the paving contractor, to stay back from the tree?EUR??,,????'???s space. The owner of the project informed all of the contractors and sub contractors of his personal desire to preserve the tree. Everyone involved in the project knew about the esthetic value and importance of the tree, except for one person, the substitute equipment man running the paving crews backhoe for one day. Half of the trees root system was ripped out so quickly no one could stop the uninformed operator before it was too late. In the above example of senseless tree destruction the blame does not fall on the heavy equipment operator. Sure, he should have understood the consequences of his activities around the tree, but the man is a grading expert not a horticulturist. In this case a certified Arborist was hired after the fact to try and repair the extensive root damage. That was an expensive effort in an attempt to salvage the tee from the inevitable. If the same certified Arborist had been consulted at the beginning of the project the tree would have simply had a protective fence installed outside of its drip line. Maybe even a warning sign or two would have been attached to the fence for added protection. The most basic tree safety procedure would not only have been made cost effective, but more importantly, it would have at least saved the tree?EUR??,,????'???s natural shape and probably its life. ?EUR??,,????'??Any plant, completely irrelevant of specie or size, not located exactly where its owner wants it, is a weed,?EUR??,,????'?? said James R. McGraw, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Urban Forestry Specialist, University of North Carolina. ?EUR??,,????'??On the other side of the coin, no matter what kind of plant it may be, if the owner likes it, it is considered desirable vegetation and should not be disturbed.?EUR??,,????'?? The above quote was stated in plain and simple language. If everyone on a construction site could just truly understand those few well-spoken words, tree damage and mortality due to construction-induced stress could be eliminated. Another factor to address in avoidable construction damage to trees occurs during installation of underground utilities. During the spring of 2001, the city replaced the main sewage line running down a typical, urban, old neighborhood street. The plumbing contractor hired by the city to run the hook-up pipes to the homes was working as fast and as hard as he could. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In this case, from the plan specified location of the connection in the new main sewage line directly to the existing hook up at the home. The city?EUR??,,????'???s plot plan did not show existing vegetation. Mr. Plumbing Contractor dug his trench within 10 feet of the trunk of a massive, sprawling, five-foot caliber oak tree. During the spring of 2002, this beautiful tree completely leafed out. However, almost as soon as all of the leaves had hardened off after reaching their full size, all of the lower limbs on the side of the tree where Mr. Plumber had done his thoughtless deed had died. If Mr. Plumber would have simply dug his sewage drain line in on the opposite property line he would not have damaged anything but a few square yards of sod. As it remains, he deformed a majestic tree at best and may eventually have even caused its total demise. Because of the stored energy in their massive trunks, old, mature trees can take years to completely reveal all of their construction related root damage. Remember, when in doubt, call a plant professional before a costly situation even arises in the landscape. It is much easier to prevent plant damage than it is to repair or remove and replace valuable vegetation. Consult a tree and plant professional while the new construction plan is still on the drawing board. Protect all desirable vegetation areas with fencing and include specific statements regarding the protection of specified vegetation in each contractors written contract. Verbally and with warning signage, make sure each person on the job site is aware of the ramifications and consequences involved in damaging desirable vegetation. Professional knowledge and communication are the keys to enjoying the complete esthetic value of healthy trees for many years after the new construction has been completed. Always remember, you, the Landscape Contractor, are the steward and protector of the landscape. Paul Pearce is an Internationally Certified Arborist and a State Board Certified Plantsman for Basnight Land & Lawn, located in Chesapeake, Va.