A. Protection from mechanical injury.
(1) All trees to be retained within 25 feet of a building site and lining ingress or egress roads, parking areas and utility easements shall be protected from equipment damage by wrapping the trunk with a section of snow fence or boards wired together. All exposed roots, trunks and low-hanging branches shall be equally protected. Groups of trees may be protected by fencing the entire area where they are located.
(2) Heavy-equipment operators shall be careful not to damage existing tree trunks and roots. Feeder roots shall not be cut closer than 25 feet to tree trunks.
(3) Tree trunks and exposed roots damaged during construction shall be protected from further damage by being treated immediately by a certified tree expert.
(4) Tree limbs damaged during construction shall be treated pursuant to the instruction of a tree expert.
(5) The operation of heavy equipment over root systems shall be minimized in order to prevent soil compaction.
(6) Deciduous trees shall be given an application of a slow-release, low-nitrogen, all-purpose fertilizer to aid in their recovery from possible damage caused by construction operations. Such application shall be made by a qualified professional, according to appropriate rates.
(7) Trees shall not be used for roping, cables, signs or fencing. Nails and spikes shall not be driven into trees.
(8) The area around the base of existing trees shall be left open to provide access for water and nutrients. Therefore, no impervious cover and no storage of equipment, materials, debris or fill shall be allowed within the drip line of any existing tree, except as may be necessary for a maximum of three months if no other storage space is available.
B. Protection from grade change.
(1) Raising the grade. If the proposed grade of the land located within six feet of a tree is to be raised more than six inches, the developer shall install either:
(a) A system of gravel and drain tiles at the old soil level opening into a dry well built around the trunk and designed for each tree, individually fitting the contour of the land so that it drains water away from the tree trunk; or
(b) A retaining wall between the existing grade and the higher grade.
(2) Lowering the grade. If the proposed grade of the land located within six feet of a tree is to be lowered by more than six inches, the developer shall initiate one of the following methods to protect trees:
(a) Terracing the grade; or
(b) Installing a retaining wall between the existing grade and the lower grade.
(3) If the proposed grade change, in the opinion of the Town Engineer or the Environmental Commission, is too excessive to allow retention of existing trees, the developer shall be required to replace the trees to be removed on a one-to-four-basis (one inch of new tree diameter for every four inches of tree diameter removed).
C. Protection from excavations. When digging trenches for utility lines and other similar uses, the developer shall adhere to the following, listed in the order of their preference:
(1) If possible, trenches should bypass the root area.
(2) If this is impossible, trenches should be tunneled under the trees.
(3) If trenches must be dug past the side of a tree, the following procedure shall be observed:
(a) Trenches shall be no closer to the trunk than half the distance from the dripline.
(b) Cut as few roots as possible.
(c) If roots have to be cut, cut them as cleanly as possible.
(d) Paint the cut ends with an approved tree wound dressing.
(e) Backfill the trench as soon as possible, avoiding soil compaction.