Why are there wood planks around trees in this North Texas park? Here’s what’s happening
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Q: Driving north on University Drive, it looks as if wooden fence pickets have been placed around trees in Trinity Park. Why?
Multiple trees in Trinity Park along University Drive in Fort Worth have wood planks along the trunks.
On Friday, construction trucks were in the area which was surrounded by a tall chain link fence.
The construction work is for the Fort Worth Water Department’s Clear Fork lift station and force main project, City Forester Craig Fox said in an email. No trees will be removed for the project.
The force main is part of the process to eliminate repeated sanitary sewer overflows near the intersection of University Drive and Rosedale Street.
The sewer improvement is routed through Trinity Park, and other areas, for connection to the lift station located behind the University Park Village shopping center.
Trees in a construction site are at risk of soil compaction, severed roots, trunk and limb injury and limb breakage from construction equipment and activities, according to the National Park Service.
- Soil compaction: Caused by heavy equipment around tree roots which compressed and limits air, water and nutrients to the roots.
- Severed roots: Sometimes roots are severed to make way for paved areas, irrigation lines and drainage systems.
- Trunk and limb injury: Caused by gashes and cuts in tree trunks from construction vehicle and equipment hits.
- Limb breakage: Construction trucks and large equipment can strike tree limbs and cause breakage.
Wrapping trees with 2x4 lumber is a satisfactory way to protect the trunks from mechanical damage during construction, according to the National Park Service. Lumber planks are recommended to be placed vertically along the trunk and secured in place to protect from damage caused by vehicles, equipment, hand tools or debris.
The trees in Trinity Park also have a light-colored mulch spread out in the fenced area.
The National Park Service recommends spreading six inches of organic mulch around trees in an area that requires construction work or access within a tree’s drip line or near the trunk to prevent soil compaction.
This story was originally published July 28, 2023 at 2:23 PM.
