Tree Tagging Along the Meramec Greenway: Protecting Nature During Design

Today was a beautiful December day spent tree tagging along the Meramec Greenway at Unger Park. Tree tagging is a critical step in the design process, typically occurring about halfway through the construction document phase. This stage allows us to walk the proposed alignment, identify key trees to protect, and even adjust the alignment to preserve these natural assets. Additionally, it helps us highlight specimen trees that can be celebrated as focal points in the final design.

When evaluating the potential impact on a tree, we assess from the trunk outward to the dripline. A tree’s dripline represents the farthest reach of its branches and typically mirrors the extent of its root system. If construction activities disturb a significant portion of the dripline, it’s unlikely the tree will survive.

Understanding Tree Health and Construction Impacts
Changes to soil grade—either raising or lowering—pose serious risks to a tree’s roots:

• • • • Raising the grade suffocates roots due to reduced oxygen availability. The deeper the added soil, the greater the damage.
      • Lowering the grade can sever or expose roots, causing them to dry out and die. Even minor soil removal can jeopardize root health.
      • Root cutting, especially of large roots, weakens the tree structurally and biologically. It can result in instability, making the tree prone to falling or causing decline on the affected side.

  How Tree Tagging Supports Design
  Since this alignment runs primarily through woodlands, surveying every tree isn’t feasible. Instead, we tag key trees with tape, and the surveyor later incorporates them into the survey base. From there, we refine the design to better protect these trees as we move toward 100% construction documents and prepare for bidding.

If a design adjustment brings us close to any key trees, we consult with an arborist. Their expertise helps us determine the best strategies for preserving the tree’s health and ensuring its stability, all while maintaining the integrity of the design.

Tree tagging is more than a step in the process—it’s a commitment to balancing thoughtful design with ecological stewardship.