Be kind to the roots of trees
Changing the grade around a tree can injure or kill it.
Tree roots can suffocate if they're buried under too much soil, and construction equipment can easily kill a tree by cutting its rooms. Avoid changing the grade if at all possible when important trees are involved. This could even mean changing the planned location for the house or an outbuilding, or modifying the design in some way. Trees provide important wildlife habitats; help reduce cooling loads by providing shade; and they can significantly increase the value of a property.
Green points
LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
-H: 1 point for using trees to reduce the "heat island" effect (SS 3); 1 point for developing a tree or plant preservation plan (SS 1).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: 5 points for conserving on-site native or regionally appropriate trees; 5 points for using trees to increase summer shade; 3 points for protecting trees with retaining walls or tree wells (403.6); and another 12 points for otherwise protecting trees during construction (404.2).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
