Building Near Trees

When beginning construction, it's essential to consider trees early in the design process. Many homeowners and builders aren't aware that the majority of a tree's feeding roots are are in the top few inches of soil. Ideally, new homes and other structures can be designed to coexist with the natural features of the landscape.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Landscape Plants: Installing Utilities Under the Canopy
• Trees – Many Lost or Damaged Due To Misconceptions
• Trees and Construction
• Hillsborough County Extension Urban Forestry for Homeowners

UF/IFAS Publications

• Basic Principles of Landscape Design
• Evaluate Trees Carefully Before Clearing a New Homesite (PDF)
• Dispelling Misperceptions About Trees
• Lightening, Construction Pose Threats to Trees (PDF)
• Protect Your Trees from Construction Damage
• Trees and Construction (PDF)

Other Sites

• Preventing Construction Damage to Trees--University of Missouri Extension
• Protecting Existing Landscape Trees from Construction Damage Due to Grade Changes--Texas Cooperative Extension
• Protecting Trees During Construction--Colorado State University Extension
• Protecting Trees from Construction Damage: A Homeowner's Guide--University of Minnesota Extension