Why Trees Die in New Subdivisions

Soil grading is one of the chief reasons for tree loss.

Many homeowners who move into a new subdivision and live there for six months or a year are distressed to find that some of the established trees on their lot die for no apparent reason.

There are reasons for these trees dying. One of the most common reasons is the change in the soil grade around the tree. Three or more inches of soil added over tree root systems often cuts off oxygen to the roots which eventually kills the roots and this eventually kills the tree.

Also, grading two or three inches or more under the spread of a tree often disturbs the feeder roots and causes them to die.

New conditions…

If the subdivision was developed in an area where the trees were growing in thick groves and many of the trees had to be removed to make room for the houses, the trees which are left are exposed to more light and wind than they can handle and may die in two or three years.

Packed soil…

Generally, heavy construction equipment is used in preparing home sites and in the actual building of the house. Because this equipment is so heavy, it tends to pack the soil which may kill tree roots.

Water tables…

When new subdivisions are developed, there's a change in the water table because of the addition of such things as streets, storm sewers, and deep ditches which remove water from the lots, water that ordinarily would have soaked into the soil for use by the trees.

For more information on why trees die in new subdivisions, contact your local County Extension Office.