A ny wound to the roots, stem or main branches of a tree, caused during construction, is considered construction damage. These wounds can occur during any building activities around trees that cover the soil, disturb the soil, or simply driving near the tree with heavy equipment. Construction damage can occur on projects as small as paving a patio. As you can see from the list above, most of the damage due to construction happens to the root system. Developing a site is seldom possible without hurting tree roots to some extent.
Roots are one of the most vital parts of the tree.
They are responsible for nutrient, oxygen and water uptake and anchoring the tree in the soil. In addition, energy rich chemicals are stored in the roots. Trees draw on these energy reserves to get them through emergencies like drought, defoliation, insect attack or construction damage. Because of their location, roots are more easily wounded than you would think. The root system extends well beyond the tree's dripline, often extending a distance equaling two to three times the tree's height.