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Trees & Construction

Prior to Construction

You are responsible to:

Notify the City of Edmonton, Parks Branch, of any construction work planned within 5 meters of City-owned trees.

This regulation applies:

• to all development, regardless of magnitude, where trees are situated within 5 metres of the project site, or where, in the opinion of the Parks Branch, trees are being adversely affected by development.
• regardless of whether activity is initiated by the public or private sector.

Provide a site map outlining the construction area, the location of City trees, the material storage area, the designated wash-out zone (on private property) and the location of the temporary site access(es).

To contact an Urban Forester, call 311.

During and After Construction

You are responsible to:

Protect all City trees based on the specifications of the Corporate Tree Policy and the Urban Forester.

The Corporate Tree Management Policy (C456A) protects the City of Edmonton trees from unnecessary destruction or damage and allows for the collection of equitable compensation for tree damages and losses.

Hoarding Requirements

Trees require protection. Hoarding is a form of physical protection for the tree.

• Trees within 3-5 metres of construction: a standard ‘safety orange’ snow fence must be erected as per the City of Edmonton Urban Forester’s specifications. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Trees within 1-3 metres: plywood 1 cm (½") thick and 125 cm (48") in height must be erected as per the City of Edmonton Urban Forester’s specifications. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Trees within 1 metre: 4"x4" wooden posts at 30 cm(12") intervals secured vertically around the tree trunk with strapping or an equivalent.

Examples are shown in the photo gallery.

All equipment, soil, building material, and debris must be kept outside the hoarding area. An Urban Forester must be immediately notified ifdamage occurs to any City tree as a result of the construction.

Excavation Near Trees

In all excavations, if a tree root larger than 5 cm or (2") is severed, an Urban Forester must be notified immediately to assess the damages.

• Excavation within 200 cm (72") of City trees: An Urban Forester will consider the feasibility of transplanting. The project is responsible for all expenses.
• Excavation beyond 200 cm (72") of City trees:prior to digging, root pruning may be required to a depth of 40cm. This decision will be made by a City of Edmonton Urban Forester.

An Example is shown in the photo gallery.

Dumping chemicals, wash equipment, or disposing of waste in or around the work site is a violation of the City of Edmonton’s Environmental Policy (C512)

Many of these chemicals and materials are toxic to plant life.

• A wash-out zone will be designated for contaminants that must be dealt with on site.
• Once construction is complete, the wash-out zone must be excavated to a depth of 45 cm(18") and brought back to grade using clean fill.
• All other chemicals must be disposed of according to the Chemical Hazards Manual.
• Dispose of all other debris as recommended by the City of Edmonton Waste Management Facility.

Only use the approved temporary site access for equipment.

Compaction is caused by the weight of something condensing the soil (photo), which reduces pore space. Pore spaces in soil contain water and air that are essential for the health of a tree.

An Example is shown in the photo gallery.

• Restricting equipment access to one or two locations helps centralize the potential damage.
• A layer of mulch may be recommended to help reduce soil compaction from equipment.

Provide compensation for all assessed tree damage and after care.

The outlined protection guidelines work to minimize damage to a tree but may not always prevent it. The construction process causes numerous related stress factors on a tree:

Crown

• Booms and cranes can cause breakage to the crown of a tree.
• Road scarifiers can cause heat and burn damage to leaves and stems.
• Prolonged exposure to equipment exhaust damages tree leaves.

Trunk

• Construction equipment can cause bark tears and wood tissue damage, which hampers the tree’s ability to distribute water and nutrients.
• Bark wounds provide openings for disease.

Roots

• Soil compaction by grade changes, stock piling or other coverings that prevent moisture and oxygen getting to the trees roots will impact tree survival.
• Severing or exposing tree roots reduces their ability to absorb water and nutrients, and their ability to anchor the tree.
• Chemical spills and other contaminants, specifically concrete, impair function and consequently root development.

The City of Edmonton will seek compensation for the treatment of trees damaged during construction projects and this damage may or may not be visible immediately.

The Urban Forester working on the project will determine the measures necessary to take care of the trees after construction.

Photo Gallery:

Hoarding with a snow fence (103.40KB)

Hoarding with plywood (102.12KB)

Excavating near a tree (112.94KB)

Compaction near a tree (95.69KB)

For more information:

River Valley, Forestry and Environmental Services