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Seattle is known for its lush greenery and abundant trees that add character and value to neighborhoods. When homeowners plan residential construction projects, even small ones like decks or patios, protecting these trees is crucial. Tree protection zones (TPZs) play a vital role in preserving the health and beauty of trees during construction. This guide explains what TPZs are, why they matter in Seattle, and how homeowners can successfully protect their trees throughout their projects. Tree protection zone fencing around a tree in a Seattle yard. What Are Tree Protection Zones and Why Are They Important? A tree protection zone is a designated area around a tree that workers must avoid disturbing during construction. This zone includes the tree’s root system, trunk, and canopy drip line. The purpose of a TPZ is to prevent damage to the tree’s roots, bark, and branches, which can happen easily during excavation, grading, or material storage. Even small projects like building a deck or patio can harm trees if proper care is not taken. Roots often extend far beyond the visible canopy, and compacting soil or cutting roots can stress or kill a tree. Establishing a clear TPZ helps contractors and homeowners understand where construction activities must be limited or avoided. Seattle’s Local Regulations and Guidelines on Tree Protection Seattle has specific rules to protect trees during residential construction. The city’s Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) enforces these regulations to maintain urban forest health and comply with environmental goals. Key points include: Tree Protection Requirements: Trees over 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) generally require protection during construction. Permits and Plans: Homeowners must submit a tree protection plan when applying for permits on projects near significant trees. Physical Barriers: Erecting sturdy fencing around the TPZ is mandatory before construction begins. Restricted Activities: No grading, trenching, or storage of materials is allowed within the TPZ. Monitoring: Inspections may occur to ensure compliance throughout the project. Following these guidelines helps avoid fines and preserves Seattle’s tree canopy. Benefits of Preserving Trees During Construction Protecting trees during construction offers many advantages beyond aesthetics: Environmental Benefits: Trees improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide habitat for wildlife. Preserving mature trees supports Seattle’s sustainability goals. Energy Savings: Shade from trees lowers cooling costs in summer and acts as a windbreak in winter. Property Value: Homes with healthy, mature trees often sell for more and attract buyers faster. Neighborhood Appeal: Trees contribute to the character and livability of Seattle’s residential areas. Health and Well-being: Access to green spaces and trees improves mental health and encourages outdoor activity. By protecting trees, homeowners contribute to a healthier environment and enhance their property’s long-term value. Common Challenges and How Homeowners Can Overcome Them Homeowners often face obstacles when trying to protect trees during construction: Limited Space: Urban lots may have tight spaces making it hard to avoid tree roots. Lack of Awareness: Some contractors or homeowners underestimate the impact of construction on trees. Budget Constraints: Tree protection may seem costly or time-consuming. Conflicting Priorities: Desire for new structures can clash with tree preservation. Solutions include: Early Planning: Identify trees and their protection needs before design and permit applications. Hiring Experts: Work with certified arborists to assess tree health and create protection plans. Clear Communication: Ensure contractors understand and respect TPZ boundaries. Flexible Design: Adjust project plans to accommodate important trees. Investing Wisely: Consider tree protection as an investment in property value and neighborhood quality. Real-Life Examples of Successful Tree Protection in Seattle Several Seattle homeowners have demonstrated how to protect trees effectively during construction: A family building a new deck around a large Western red cedar installed fencing 10 feet beyond the drip line and used mulch to protect roots. The deck design avoided root zones, and the tree remained healthy years after completion. Another project involved a patio addition near a mature maple. The homeowner hired an arborist who recommended hand-digging near roots and avoiding heavy equipment in the TPZ. The tree showed no signs of stress post-construction. In a renovation near a Douglas fir, contractors used temporary bridges to move materials without compacting soil in the TPZ. This approach preserved root health and allowed the tree to thrive. These examples show that with proper planning and care, trees and construction can coexist. Why You Should Involve a Certified Arborist Certified arborists bring specialized knowledge to tree protection during construction. They can: Assess tree health and identify critical root zones. Develop detailed tree protection plans tailored to the site. Recommend construction methods that minimize tree damage. Monitor tree condition throughout the project. Advise on post-construction care to help trees recover. Their expertise ensures that tree protection measures are effective and compliant with Seattle regulations. Hiring an arborist reduces the risk of costly tree loss and supports sustainable building practices. Protecting trees during residential construction in Seattle requires awareness, planning, and respect for local rules. Tree protection zones are essential tools that help homeowners safeguard valuable trees even during small projects like decks and patios. By understanding regulations, recognizing the benefits of tree preservation, addressing challenges, and involving certified arborists, homeowners can successfully balance construction goals with environmental stewardship.

Scots Pine Removal – West Seattle, WA Dead trees pose a significant hazard as they begin to deteriorate. Limbs become brittle and can break unexpectedly or the entire tree can fail near the base. Depending on the tree’s location, complete tree removal may be the best – or only – option to mitigate risk to people/structures. At this site, a new children’s play structure had been installed directly under this Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). Completing removal of the dead pine over the playset required advanced climbing and rigging to protect property and perform the work safely. The “drop zone” for material was small due to the playset location so we cut and carefully lowered manageable pieces. To manage the tree’s weakened condition, Tree133 utilized multiple rigging points to distribute loads throughout the tree canopy. With the dead tree gone, children can now safely use the play area and the family can once again enjoy their yard. Contact Tree133 to learn more about risk assessment and hazard tree removal. * This project was completed together with Michael Oxman.

On a recent episode of the industry’s only podcast focused on all things tree and landscape - Discovering Forestry Podcast - Craig Bachmann, the Lead Arborist and Company Owner of Tree133, discusses how he got into the field late as an arborist and his transition from “suit guy” to “tree guy.” Click to listen   Joe Aiken & Korey Lofy combine over 60 years of industry knowledge and experience and will discuss some of the trends, concerns, and opportunities in the fields of forestry and arboriculture.

August 2020: TCIA Magazine "In our roles as business leaders, supervisors, gear inspectors and safety trainers, we see tons of climbing gear. An alarming portion of that gear is unmaintained, poorly configured or beyond its reasonable service life. Those observations led us to ask, who is responsible for the condition of a climber’s life-safety equipment? Is it the climber or the company? Who is responsible when climbing gear fails? With a combined 23 years in this profession, we still felt unclear of the answers. So we went on a research journey and spoke with a variety of industry experts, safety professionals, insurers and accident investigators. We reviewed OSHA regulations, ANSI standards and manufacturer documentation for common climbing gear. Here’s what we learned."   Click here to read the full articl e in TCIA Magazine This article is based on a presentation by Craig Bachman & Mike Tilford at TCI EXPO 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Tree133, we strive to help fellow arborists improve safety and skills. Contact Craig  to learn how we can help you and your crew.

Trees are biologically designed to withstand wind and load. However, heavy foliage/fruit or a weather event may cause a split in a small tree. Cabling and bracing in small trees can help them withstand weather events. Tree133 recently completed a small cabling project on a redbud that split in last winter's snow. As the tree is a sentimental favorite of the homeowner, she had tried a variety of DIY solutions with limited results before calling for help. With careful reduction pruning to gently reshape the tree and installation of a cabling system, this tree will remain a focal point in her garden for many years. If you have questions about your trees, contact a professional arborist at Tree133 .

In this March 2021 episode of the Tree Thinking podcast, Craig Bachmann talked with the team about the value of mentorship, the future of arboriculture as a profession and what it means to build a tree service company toward preservation, instead of the temptation of cash grab removals. Craig and Tree133 are committed to sharing our knowledge to help fellow arborists improve skills and safety on the job. Submit a training inquiry to learn how we can help improve skills for you and your crew.

At TCI Expo 2019, Craig was invited into the the TreeStuff Micro Rigging Lab to demonstrate climbing and rigging for professional arborists. Watch as he explains rigging systems to reduce force in the tree and improve climbing safety. Contact Tree133  for specialized technical services and arborist skills training.

Pacific Madrona Removal – Kirkland, WA The Pacific Madrona (Arbutus menziesii)  has one of the largest habitat ranges in North America. Populations of these unique trees are found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia down to Mexico. In Canada, they are referred to as Arbutus. Here in Washington, we call them Madrona. From Oregon south, they are commonly referred to as Madrone. These trees prefer the forest edge with a mixture of sun and shade. They do not tolerate dry sunny hillsides. Sadly, developers will often remove adjacent trees leaving a previously healthy Madrona exposed to the full sun. This leads to rapid decline and ultimately these trees must be removed. This particular project was challenging because the tree was located on a very steep hillside above and behind a newly constructed home. Further, the tree leaned toward and over the house. With limited access to the tree – and multiple steep slopes to negotiate – Tree133 solved the problem creatively with a controlled speed-line system. We used tensioned ropes to carefully maneuver branches over and around the house, and then land them over 150 ft away near the truck and chipper. The result was a challenging job completed safely and efficiently at a reasonable cost. Contact Tree133  to learn how we can provide an expert solution to preserve or remove trees on your property.

Tree133 has worked on this beautiful Japanese laceleaf maple (Acer palmatum) for the past few years. In fall of 2019, we removed dead/decaying foliage and interior deadwood as well as a few damaged interior limbs (abraded by other branches). That first phase greatly improved the tree’s appearance and we noticed better foliage conditions the following spring. This January, we performed light raising and thinning to improve light/airflow throughout the canopy and expose a bit of the interior branch architecture. This pruning phase removed 5-10% of live foliage using cuts up to 1/2-inch diameter. We are fortunate to have this tree in our neighborhood and enjoy watching its response to each stage of pruning.

The June 2022 TCIMagazine, a leading publication for professional arborists, featured an article by Craig Bachmann, the manager and Lead Arborist at Tree133. Learn about how contract climbers can support your business in both a professional training capacity and job profitability. For the complete article, click here . See Craig at a Professional Event in 2022 After a few years of virtual presentations, Craig is excited to be back on the road for a busy season of presentations and tree climbing competitions! Portland Tree Climbing Competition  - Portland, OR Rocky Mountain Regional Tree Climbing Competition  - Denver, OR Treetopia  - Oakland, CA North American Tree Climbing Championship  - St. Paul, MN PNW ISA Annual Training Conference & Climbing Competition - Coeur d'Alene, ID Puget Sound Tree Climbing Competition  - Seattle, WA ISA International Training Conference  - Malmo, Sweden International Tree Climbing Competition  - Copenhagen, Denmark TCIA Expo  - Charlotte, NC

Damage Assessment for a Large Douglas-Fir – Lynnwood, WA An elementary school was in process of building a new science classroom. The excavation and construction occurred within the dripline of two large Douglas-Firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that were each more than 30 inches diameter and over 100 feet tall. The term “dripline” describes the outer limit of branches and foliage. The area inside is the zone of greatest importance for tree health and stability. Root loss or damage within the dripline can have significant consequences for tree stability and long-term health. Several large roots were damaged during excavation, prior to construction. Now, the contractors were preparing to back-fill around the foundation and had a limited timeframe to assess the cut roots. The school administration and contractor were concerned about negative impacts to the trees and risk to new classroom structure. They wondered, should the trees be retained or removed? Tree133 was contacted for a professional risk assessment and inspection of the damage. We promptly conducted a site visit with school administrators, engineers and contractors. It was fortunate the school could provide pictures of the site prior to construction. Beyond direct inspection of the mechanical damage to roots, these pictures helped us to determine the estimated root loss due to construction. Our assessment determined the root loss was minimal due to prior site conditions. Furthermore, we found the damage did not affect structural roots. We concluded these factors did not substantially increase the likelihood of failure and the trees could be reasonably retained on the site. Additionally, Tree133 provided recommendations to help the client modify landscaping and irrigation plans to improve growing conditions and promote root growth. All findings and recommendations were delivered in a comprehensive Arborist Report. If you are concerned about construction impacts for your trees, contact Tree133 for a site visit and professional risk assessment.

A Tree Preservation Company in the Community As a local, family-owned business, Tree133 is deeply connected to our Seattle neighbors. As professional arborists, we are primarily a tree preservation company. We also support our community through volunteering and donations to local organizations. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)   LIHI  provides housing for low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people to help them develop self-sufficiency. Tree133 has specifically contributed to support the construction of tiny homes . Build Lake City Together (BLCT) BLCT , an initiative of the Children’s Home Society of Washington, is a collaborative and inclusive neighborhood planning process to improve quality of life for all residents and give rise to a neighborhood of opportunity. Tree133 regularly volunteers for community clean-up days organized by BLCT. Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) SAS  saves the lives of animals through adoption, foster care, spay and neuter programs and community outreach. We adopted our dog Charlie-girl  from SAS in 2022. PlantAmnesty   PlantAmnesty  provides education, resources, and advocacy to promote quality tree care and preserve urban green spaces. Tree133 participates in volunteer tree pruning events to care for needy and deserving gardens in the Seattle area. Nathan Hale Horticulture & Urban Farm   This program provides high school students with hands-on experience in horticulture, urban farming, environmental science, entrepreneurship and citizenship. As a member of their Friends Organization, Tree133 also supports the Urban Farm by regularly providing wood chip mulch for the farm and other projects throughout the Seattle school district.