Which parts of the project could affect a tree?
More than the patio itself: the machinery route, the spot for excavated soil and wherever materials get unloaded can all reach a tree's roots, so the working area often extends beyond the patio's visible outline. Put those areas on the same sketch as the trees to keep the tree beside the project from becoming convenient storage space. Broadway Tree Care assesses the trees you intend to protect before the work starts.
The International Society of Arboriculture's construction protection guidance describes root damage, soil compaction and grade changes as risks during building work. A fence around the trunk alone does not protect the full area a tree depends on.
What should a tree assessment happen before?
Arrange it early, while the layout can still change, and bring the proposed patio edge or driveway alignment to the visit. Describe any trenches, demolition or change in soil level so the contractor can judge the effect of the planned work.
Broadway's tree health assessment service is a starting point for discussing the tree's condition and the work around it. If the project needs a specialist arborist report or a formally specified protection zone, confirm that requirement and the appropriate professional before work begins.
| Work being planned | Detail to bring to the assessment |
|---|---|
| Patio or driveway | The excavation edge and intended finished soil level |
| New utility trench | The proposed route, depth and any route alternatives |
| Equipment access | The entry gate and where vehicles will travel or turn |
| Lot clearing | Exactly which trees are to remain, marked on a plan |
Where should equipment and materials go?
Keep equipment outside the tree protection boundaries agreed before construction starts; UF/IFAS recommends restricting access around retained trees and setting boundaries ahead of time. Its tree protection publication explains why compacting soil or cutting roots can damage a tree even when the trunk is untouched.
Ask the builder to identify storage, soil-pile and temporary-parking areas outside the agreed protected space. Have one person responsible for keeping the boundary in place throughout the work, including subcontractor visits.
If the only access route conflicts with a tree protection area, resolve it before the crew arrives. A last-minute decision made while a delivery truck waits outside is unlikely to produce a careful assessment.
Can roots be cut for a new walkway?
Do not assume a root is expendable because it is inconvenient: the effect of cutting it depends on the tree and the roots involved. UF/IFAS's guidance on tree misconceptions warns that root damage and changes in soil grade can have lasting effects, with decline sometimes appearing long after construction.
Pause excavation if unexpected substantial roots appear, photograph the exposed area from a safe position and have the tree assessed before cutting continues. Revisit whether a slightly different walkway alignment is possible instead of treating the original drawing as the only route.
How should a lot clearing request be written?
For lot clearing in Citrus County, walk the site with the contractor and identify which trees stay, which material comes out and how the retained trees will be marked. Include the access route in the written scope; our guide to brush clearing versus land clearing explains the scope difference.
Tree protection and permission to remove a tree are separate questions. Our Citrus County tree removal guide explains the permit considerations; check the current requirements for your jurisdiction and property before authorizing removal.
Book the visit before excavation starts
Send us the project address, proposed layout and photographs showing the tree and planned work area. Request an assessment or call (813) 735-2777, and tell us when the construction crew is due to start.