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S,vmptoms of
<br />Construction
<br />
<br />Damage
<br />
<br /> Conspicuous symploms of con-
<br />strucli(m damage may take years to
<br />appear. Tree dec]me from still cmn-
<br />paction, for instance, may take three to
<br />seven years to appear as obvious
<br />symptoms of distress. Because of this
<br />delay, landowners often attribute tree
<br />losses to other causes. Carefully
<br />monitor affected plants and keep
<br />written records to help you recognize
<br />the less visible signs of tree stress.
<br />Remember, thc most serious damage
<br />remains hidden in the root system.
<br />
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<br />
<br />~" 't ' ' ' t ' :.(J, '.,."'.i~/ ; .,'V..;,i
<br />
<br />~tgure 13. Suckering is one symptom of
<br /> cons truction damage.
<br />
<br /> Wilted or s~orched leaves and
<br />drooping branches usually are the first
<br />signs of construction damage. In
<br />deciduous plants these symptoms
<br />may be followed by early fall coloring
<br />and premature leaf drop.' Damaged
<br />conifers will drop excessive amounts
<br />of inner needles. In subsequent years
<br />you ma)' notice yellowed or, dwarfed
<br />leaves, sparse leaf cover, or dead
<br />branches.
<br /> · Other indicators might include
<br />'flowering out of season, excessive
<br />sucker formation on the trunk (Figure
<br />~13), or abnormally large amounts of
<br />s'eed. These responses are defense
<br />mechanisms for ensuring species
<br />
<br />one year's
<br />
<br />£1gure 74. Annual growth is the distance
<br /> between bud scale scars on twigs. Tile
<br /> twigs of healthy trees usually grow two
<br /> to six inches longer each year.
<br />
<br />survival and commonly indicate that
<br />the plant is experiencing extreme
<br />stress.
<br /> In addition to observing a tree's
<br />appearance, monitor its annual
<br />growth. A slightly damaged plant
<br />will grow more slowly and be tess
<br />resistant to insects, diseases, and
<br />
<br />weather-related stress. Exannm' thc
<br />annual shoot and branch growth
<br />(Figure 14). t tealthv trees generally
<br />will grow at least two t{~ six inches al
<br />~he ends of the branches each veal
<br />Phott~graphs and records of the tree
<br />prior Io constructi(m also can hc, lp
<br />identify growth problems.
<br /> If you purchased your home
<br />following construction, you can
<br />identify deep fills around large trees
<br />by looking lot buttress flares at the
<br />base of the trunk (Figure 15). Most
<br />common shade trees in Minnesota
<br />have buttress flares, and ti~eir absence
<br />usually indicates tlxat the tree's base
<br />has been covered. It may be helpful to
<br />examine the condition of trees on
<br />other sites where your builder has
<br />worked.
<br /> in many cases you would be wise
<br />to have a tree-care specialist look for
<br />early symptoms of tree stress. Dollars
<br />invested in consultations with profes-
<br />sionals before damage becomes
<br />obvious may be repaid in considerable
<br />savings later on.
<br />
<br /> " ' ;' I
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<br /> · ' 'buttress !.,' .::'~:'" "*"'~':;' ;' ',' :" ." '.' '~'(' '~ ':.' ';4"." --'l': :- "'~ .'?--::'. :k:-,-~5'::-, :-" :"
<br /> · ,flares' ? '~.'~:' "'~:~..';, ':. ': "' ':' :'"' ':' i ' '"' '"~'~' '"'"' :':' ':
<br /> ;;' ~.:~,:~.w'.' ,,~.:.,~",-:.:: ~ ;. ,,'..:;.,....- . ,
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<br />Figure '15 To determine whether the ~..'...; ,~,.~ ,..,.~: .:..: ...~ ,,..- :~ .x_.". '..
<br />orode has been changed or°und trees I' '"'~" '-":'; '-'~ "-'~.'.;-',' Z'":"-:'* :",..,~'~'~' >'" ';"'
<br /> on a newly built $~t e, check for the [ ..... ' :- .' ". ~ ':.' .....'- · ) ~ .... .
<br /> pre~ence of louttre~ flr~re$ at the
<br /> bo~e of the trunk.
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