Homebuilder Activities and Knowledge of Tree Preservation during Construction: Comparison of Practitioners in Rural and Urban Locations

Keith O’Herrin,Richard Hauer,Kaitlyn Pike,Jess Vogt

doi:10.3390/su14052753

Abstract

Preservation of existing trees is one of the few tools available to communities seeking to maintain or increase tree canopy coverage. This study compared the knowledge and activities of builders in an urban locale with a strict tree preservation ordinance and rigorous enforcement against a rural locale with no tree preservation ordinance. Overall, there were more similarities than differences between the two groups though some of those differences are very important. Urban builders and rural builders scored a very similar average of correct responses on questions testing their knowledge: 63% and 65%, respectively. The major difference between urban and rural appears to be in activities as dictated by ordinance. Urban builders were more likely to consult tree preservation experts and use tree fence to create tree protection zones. The successful tree preservation outcomes in the urban community are likely a direct result of ordinance requirements and enforcement by the City Forester, not builders’ knowledge or their conscious decisions.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Builders in Highland Park (HP) had a mean of 27 years of experience building homes
Less than 20% of HP and Portage County (PC) builders said they cut flush to the trunk—the incorrect approach

Summary

Introduction

Humans’ desire to live in a wooded environment is deeply rooted as a place attachment [1–4]. Developing a home in a wooded environment often involves a suite of individuals and groups making decisions about tree preservation: homeowners or residents (especially in the case of demolishing and redeveloping existing homes on properties [5]); municipal governments who pass ordinances regulating trees on private properties and/or construction and building activities [6]; and, the home builders or developers making design decisions and engaging in physical construction activities on the property [7]. In the U.S, builders are the only party engaging in the actual construction of a home and making physical alterations to the landscape, understanding the strengths, limitations, and gaps in tree preservation knowledge of builders has a direct impact on post-construction tree health and survival outcomes [9]

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