Laserfiche WebLink
around the tree trunk. The system should then be covered with small stones to allow air to cir- <br />culate over the root area. <br />Lowering the natural ground level can seriously damage trees and shrubs. The highest per- <br />centage of the plant roots are in the upper 12 inches of the soil and cuts of only 2-3 inches can <br />cause serious injury. To protect the roots it may be necessary to terrace the immediate area <br />around the plants to be saved. If roots are exposed, construction of retaining walls may be <br />needed to keep the soil in place. Plants can also be preserved by leaving them on an undis- <br />turbed, gently sloping mound. To increase the chances for survival, it is best to limit grade <br />changes and other soil disturbances to areas outside the dripline of the plant. <br />Excavations - Protect trees and other plants when excavating for drainfields, power, water, <br />and sewer lines. Where possible, the trenches should be routed around trees and large <br />shrubs. When this is not possible, it is best to tunnel under them. This can be done with hand <br />tools or with power augers. If it is not possible to route the trench around plants to be saved, <br />then the following should be observed: <br />Cut as few roots as possible. When you have to cut, cut dean. Paint cut root ends with a <br />wood dressing like asphalt base paint if roots will be exposed for more than 24-hours. <br />o Backfill the trench as soon as possible. <br />Tunnel beneath root systems as dose to the center of the main trunk to preserve most <br />of the important feeder roots. <br />Some problems that can be encountered with a few specific trees are: <br />. Maple, Dogwood, Red alder, Western hemlock, Western red cedar, and Douglas fir do not <br />readily adjust to changes in environment and special care should be taken to protect these <br />trees. <br />. The windthrow hazard of Pacific silver fir and madrona is high, while that of Western hemlock <br />is moderate. The danger of windthrow increases where dense stands have been thinned. <br />Other species (unless they are on shallow, wet soils less than 20 inches deep) have a low <br />windthrow hazard. <br />. Cottonwoods, maples, and willows have water -seeking roots. These can cause trouble in <br />sewer lines and infiltration fields. On the other hand, they thrive in high moisture conditions <br />that other trees would not. <br />. Thinning operations in pure or mixed stands of Grand fir, Pacific silver fir, Noble fir, Sitka <br />spruce, Western red cedar, Western hemlock, Pacific dogwood, and Red alder can cause ser- <br />ious disease problems. Disease can become established through damaged limbs, trunks, <br />roots, and freshly cut stumps. Diseased and weakened trees are also susceptible to insect <br />attack. <br />Maintenance Standards <br />Inspect flagged and/or fenced areas regularly to make sure flagging or fencing has not been <br />removed or damaged. If the flagging or fencing has been damaged or visibility reduced, it shall be <br />repaired or replaced immediately and visibility restored. <br />2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington <br />Volume I/ - Chapter 3 - Page 272 <br />