Another protective measure is an aeration system consisting of a geotextile sandwich with four to six inches of rock with PVC on 2' to 3' centers between the two layers of fabric. Valuable topsoil is continually being totally destroyed or converted on construction sites every day. Where it is not possible to protect the valuable topsoil, it is removed and stored for later use. Excess topsoil on our projects is often sold. It takes generations to build topsoil, and we can destroy it by simply pulling a lever.
Root pruning procedures are imperative.
In other cases, we have successfully used a rock saw to cut in rock as well as in soil. It frequently becomes necessary to transplant trees in order to save them. We have moved thousands of trees ranging from four to 10 inches in diameter, and a few that have weighed over 80 thousand pounds. During the past 16 years, we have saved trees in 23 states with a survival rate of 95 percent or better. Some trees are left on site, utilizing a variety of techniques to protect them from construction.