Broadway Tree Care ยท Homeowner guide
Protecting tree roots during yard construction in Citrus County
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Before a yard construction project in Citrus County, ask Broadway Tree Care to assess the trees you intend to keep. A tree can remain standing while its roots are damaged by excavation or vehicle traffic. The protection plan needs to be agreed before equipment enters the yard.
Which parts of the project could affect a tree?
A new patio has a visible outline. The working area often extends farther: a route for machinery, a place for excavated soil and somewhere to unload materials. Put those areas on the same sketch as the trees. Otherwise, the tree beside the project can become the most convenient storage space.
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 the assessment while the layout can still change. Bring the proposed patio edge or driveway alignment to the visit. Tell us whether trenches, demolition or a change in soil level are included. A contractor cannot judge the effect of work that has not been described.
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?
UF/IFAS recommends restricting access around retained trees and setting protection boundaries before construction. 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 a storage area outside the agreed protected space. Include soil piles and temporary parking in that conversation. 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 depends on the tree and the roots affected. 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 the excavation if unexpected substantial roots appear. Photograph the exposed area from a safe position and have the tree assessed before cutting continues. This is also the point to revisit a slightly different walkway alignment, rather than treating the original drawing as the only possible route.
How should a lot clearing request be written?
For lot clearing in Citrus County, identify the trees to retain as carefully as the material to remove. Walk the site with the contractor and confirm how those trees will be marked. Include the access route in the written scope.
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
Contact Broadway Tree Care with the project address and your proposed layout. Include photographs showing both the tree and the planned work area. Request an assessment or call (813) 735-2777, and tell us when the construction crew is due to start.