Footings for garden walls, pools, etc. Curbing for streets and driveways also presents problems. Chemical Changes Affecting the Condition of Oaks Certain herbicides seem to be taken up by the fine root system, causing curling and disfiguration of the foliage. Fertilizers of lawns or trees on warm days in summer may dehydrate oak roots and foliage, sometimes causing wilting, browning, or loss of foliage and even loss of trees. Watering with hard water and user of lime-based fertilizers both may raise the pH of soils, i.e., lessen their soil acidity.
Oaks thrive best in acid soils.
Limestone gravel mulches also may raise the pH of soils around oak trees. Place buildings adjacent to the forest rather than within the forest. Prevents disturbance of the natural woodland soil surface within the areas circumscribed by the outer branches of oak trees, since their vital but fragile root system extend at least this far. It is imperative that these areas be considered especially sacrosanct during construction if the oaks' chances of survival following construction are to be enhanced. Retain natural conditions of the forest floor wherever possible.