Preserving Trees in Construction Projects: Identifying Incentives and Barriers

Two surveys of individuals from three professions instrumental in preserving trees in construction projects (professions related to tree care, site design, and construction) revealed their level of knowledge and use of tree preservation practices and identified some of the incentives and barriers to preserving trees. Many tree preservation practices have low frequencies of use, despite knowledge that they are inexpensive and effective. A large majority of respondents believed that customers would pay a premium for properties containing healthy, mature trees. Builders made some attempt to preserve trees on only half of their projects; arborists and designers apparently had even fewer opportunities. Many arborists commented that they had been asked for advice too late in the construction process. The Building with Trees seminars, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, apparently increased knowledge and use of tree preservation practices. Awareness of the value of trees to the finished project was the most important reason why tree preservation practices were used. State and local laws were seen as less important, especially by builders. Site constraints were cited as the major barrier to tree preservation, though these constraints were not specifically identified. Arborists scored highest on a scale that measured knowledge of tree preservation practices. For builders and designers, there was a positive but weak correlation between knowledge and use of tree preservation practices. Educational and marketing efforts aimed at property owners, site designers, and construction professionals could increase the number of healthy trees that survive the construction process.