Preventing Construction Damage to Trees Dennis S. Schrock Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri-Columbia Trees are a valuable asset in home landscapes. Their shade makes summer living more pleasant and can significantly reduce air conditioning costs. In winter, they shield against wind and snow, reducing heating costs. Leaves act as air cleaners, filtering dust and removing airborne pollutants.
Trees shelter wildlife, slow rainfall runoff, muffle noise and provide privacy.
But perhaps the main reason people value trees highly is simply the beauty and grace they add to a community. Because it takes many years for a tree to grow to maturity, wooded building sites command premium prices. All too frequently, however, the trees that make the site attractive are damaged during construction. Trees may decline and die soon after construction work is finished. The homeowner then faces the cost of tree removal in addition to the expense and time needed to grow replacement trees.