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machinery often accidentally collide with branches,damaging and breaking limbs. Dozer <br /> blades may scrape against tree trunks opening large wounds. Construction workers may <br /> prune or break branches which pose threats to human safety. These cuts often fall short of <br /> professional arborist's standards. Below ground problems are more numerous, less <br /> obvious, and potentially more damaging than those that occur above the ground. Soil <br /> compaction and changes in grade and drainage such as cuts and fills increase the likelihood <br /> of water logging and root suffocation. The removal of native vegetation, leaf litter and <br /> fallen branches from beneath the tree disrupts nutrient cycling. Trenching can damage and <br /> reduce the root system. Accidental spills or intentional dumping of gasoline and oil, <br /> concrete or other construction-related chemicals may poison the tree. Construction of <br /> foundations, decking and roads, and installation of paving within the TPZ alter the tree <br /> i <br /> environment. Young,vigorously growing trees are more adaptable to some of these <br /> changes however mature trees are less flexible and changes can weaken or even kill them. <br /> Avoidance and Miti ag tion <br /> The basic idea is to protect trees by avoiding changes in the tree environment- the TPZ- <br /> both above and below ground. In the majority of cases of tree-human encounters, <br /> disturbance can be successfully avoided or substantially minimized. Exceptions will occur <br /> and in these cases the least damaging actions will be determined by an arborist or <br /> consultant, and in some cases mitigation measures will be triggered when disturbance is <br /> likely to compromise tree health. Mitigation is the term applied to actions taken to lessen the <br /> effects of disturbance or development. An example of mitigation would be the plantings of <br /> trees to replace those cut or injured. Replacement trees will be planted nearby to maintain <br /> the existing pattern of savanna or forest. A schematic diagram of the steps involved in tree <br /> preservation is presented in figure 7. <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 107 <br />