We recently moved into a new house on an acre and a half of land in
Bastrop TX (near Austin). Several people in the neighborhood told us
trees in their front yard died about three or four years after their
house was built. I presume that was caused by damage to the root
system during construction. The foundation, sidewalks and driveway
have undoubtedly caused damage to nearby tress. Is there anything I
can do now that will prevent our trees from dying three to four years
from now as trees in others yards have? Or is it too late and just a
matter of time? The trees we're most concerned about are oak,
although I don't know what variety they are.
Thanks,
David Seppala

There really isn't much you can do, I'm sorry to say. Oaks are
notoriously intolerant of having their roots disturbed. You may be
able to help by:

making sure the trees don't experience water stress, but *don't*
overwater, which is fatal to native oaks

not changing the grade around the plants--i.e., don't add or remove
soil

avoiding digging a lot of planting holes for other plants under the
trees

removing dead wood to discourage disease

not fertilizing this year. The roots are damaged and you do not want
to promote top growth. You may want to buy and apply some root
stimulating solution (a hormone) to encourage new roots, if possible.

Start thinking ahead to what you would like in place of your trees
when/if they die. Natives are a good choice.

If in doubt, consult a licensed/registered/certified arborist--not Joe
With a Pickup Landscaper.

Monique Reed
Texas A&M

wrote:

We recently moved into a new house on an acre and a half of land in
Bastrop TX (near Austin). Several people in the neighborhood told us
trees in their front yard died about three or four years after their
house was built. I presume that was caused by damage to the root
system during construction. The foundation, sidewalks and driveway
have undoubtedly caused damage to nearby tress. Is there anything I
can do now that will prevent our trees from dying three to four years
from now as trees in others yards have? Or is it too late and just a
matter of time? The trees we're most concerned about are oak,
although I don't know what variety they are.
Thanks,
David Seppala

There really isn't much you can do, I'm sorry to say. Oaks are
notoriously intolerant of having their roots disturbed. You may be
able to help by:

making sure the trees don't experience water stress, but *don't*
overwater, which is fatal to native oaks

not changing the grade around the plants--i.e., don't add or remove
soil

avoiding digging a lot of planting holes for other plants under the
trees

removing dead wood to discourage disease

not fertilizing this year. The roots are damaged and you do not want
to promote top growth. You may want to buy and apply some root
stimulating solution (a hormone) to encourage new roots, if possible.

Start thinking ahead to what you would like in place of your trees
when/if they die. Natives are a good choice.

If in doubt, consult a licensed/registered/certified arborist--not Joe
With a Pickup Landscaper.

Monique Reed
Texas A&M

wrote:

We recently moved into a new house on an acre and a half of land in
Bastrop TX (near Austin). Several people in the neighborhood told us
trees in their front yard died about three or four years after their
house was built. I presume that was caused by damage to the root
system during construction. The foundation, sidewalks and driveway
have undoubtedly caused damage to nearby tress. Is there anything I
can do now that will prevent our trees from dying three to four years
from now as trees in others yards have? Or is it too late and just a
matter of time? The trees we're most concerned about are oak,
although I don't know what variety they are.
Thanks,
David Seppala