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Jeromesville's trees don't seem to be hurt by sewer construction

Martin Michel, local forester Published: February 2, 2008 4:00 AM

In my opinion, Jeromesville has some of the nicest street trees around. You don't grow those beautiful, old sugar maples overnight. A walk through town is cool in summer and colorful in October.

So far, the construction of Jeromesville's new sewer system has had a minimal effect on the trees. They are installing the main sewer lines beneath the streets. A local excavator told me he rarely cuts tree roots while digging up paved streets. The damage to the tree roots would be far worse if the sewer ditches were dug next to the trees.

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A tree's root system is vulnerable to damage during construction. The roots extend further from the trunk than the branches do. The tree has large anchor roots, as well as shallow feeder roots. Cutting roots, compacting soil or burying roots can damage a tree's root system.

What? Burying a root can damage it? A root needs soil, water and air to grow. If you bury a root under too much clay, you can suffocate the root.

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Root systems are a dynamic contest between root growth and root disease. A healthy tree regenerates roots fast enough to replace those constantly killed by diseases.

It is fortunate for the trees in Jeromesville that construction isn't taking place during summer. While trees are in full leaf and using hundreds of gallons of water, severed roots are a more serious injury. It may be inconvenient for school buses and parents (like me), but winter construction is better for the trees.

Jeromesville's trees are beautiful. Let's hope they stay that way long after the sewer construction is just a memory.

n Martin Michel is a local consulting forester.

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