TREE PRESERVATION PLANNING (TPP)

Here in the Lowcountry, we love our trees! And for good reason. Tree canopies assist to shade buildings from the hot Southern heat and to act as shields to tropical storm force winds. In Charleston, where land is low and water is high, a single grand tree is vitally responsible for thousands of gallons of water absorption per day. We’re drawn to trees’ sprawling green canopies and they’re a natural screening from a nosy neighbor or two. It’s no wonder trees add significant amenity value to your landscape! As living organisms, the viability of trees is highly dependent on their conditions. Construction and human interference being the leading causes of tree failure and mortality among new communities. For these reasons, we provide Tree Preservation Plans (TPP) to mitigate risk and protect your property’s most valuable assets.

Construction generally has a stressful impact on trees. While building and zoning ordinances set forth tree mitigation requirements, follow through and enforcement is often overlooked throughout the building process. Without a TPP in place, trees suffer from substantial root loss when the area is excavated, compaction from the use of heavy machinery and improper grading within critical root zones, nutrient deficiency associated with excessive fill dirt installation, as well as significant branch loss from over-pruning, improper pruning and the pruning of large leaders. Trees are communal, meaning they share nutrients through their fused root system, and are stronger in groupings. Improper property development often results in the removal of too many trees, leaving those retained at an extreme disadvantage. While some of these actions are necessary for the home to be constructed, it does not negate the substantial and irreparable negative impact experienced by trees that are not properly planned for and protected.