The effect of manifest construction activities on survival of deciduous trees in New Castle County, Delaware
Date
1976
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Eight hundred and eighty-six deciduous trees were observed with reference to their response to the effects of adjacent construction activity, including excavation, fill application, paving, and wound damage. Objective observation and documentation methods were devised to measure construction impact, i.e., tree survival, on nine tree species at 13 sites in northern New Castle County, Delaware, during 1972-1975. ☐ Overall tree survival was 35 per cent. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styractiflua) and red maple (Acer rubrum) were generally more tolerant to construction activities. Black oak (Quercus velutina), beech (Fagus grandifola) and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) were particularly vulnerable to construction activities. Thinning, excavation and fill damage were primary causes of tree decline. Lowered water tables also were suspected to be inimical to tree health. ☐ The nature of current construction processes is not predisposed to tree maintenance and protection, hence, there is little practical value to remedial suggestions on a tree-by-tree basis. Residual groups of trees, however, thrive despite the proximity of adjacent construction. Such groups may represent the most effective means of protecting trees from land development.