AboutJim Hyland Expertise Registered Forester in the Southern US with 30 years experiance in managing pines. Expert in pine forest health from management to control of pests to ID of species.
Question Is it likely that allowing a class (around 30 children) of 4 and 3 year olds to play (not all at once) under a healthy 30 year old Cedrus Atlantica will cause root compaction and stress to the tree? The tree is also adjacent to a public pavement which is around 5m away from the trunk; branches overhang the pavement.
Thank you
Answer No I would not think so. If the soil under the tree get where it is compacted (no grass. and hard and smooth on the surface) then water will not be absorbed and will run off this area. This condition may cause the tree to not receive enough water. But I doubt this is the situation here. The heat from the pavement may cause some of the foliage on that side of the tree to dieback. But the tree should have compensated for this years ago unless the pavement is new.
