DocumentsAppendixJul 20, 2026Pages 23–24
Appendix C - Hard Surfaces Above Tree Roots Specification
Specification describing construction of hard surfaces above tree roots to reduce impacts on retained trees.
Key facts
- Referenced as a mitigation measure for hardscaping within critical root zones
HARD SURFACE ABOVE TREE ROOTS DETAIL
- Maintain as large a setback between the fill encroachment and the root collar of the tree as possible.
- Review any canopy clearance pruning requirements to accommodate vehicle or pedestrian clearances (Pruning to be performed to ANSI A300 standards).
- Excavate the new footprint of the driveway or sidewalk under the supervision of the project arborist. Excavation will be limited to the removal of the existing sod layer. Excavation around root structures must be performed by hand, airspade, or hydroexcavation.
- Install a two-dimensional (such as Combigrid 30 30) or Three-dimensional geogrid reinforcement.
- Install a 150mm depth layer of clear crushed gravel (no fines) using 20mm and/or 75mm diameter material or approved equivalent. *Note - the depth may be less than 150mm in some situations (dependant on grading constraints).
- Install meduim weight geotextile fabric (such as Nilex 4535 or similar) over the clear crushed gravel layer to prevent fine particles of sand from infiltrating this layer.
- The bedding or base layer and new driveway or sidewalk surface can be installed directly on top of the felted filter fabric.
- Fill slopes - where possible install loose stacked boulders to reduce the footprint of the fill slopes that encroach within the critical root zone. Fill slope materials must be permeable to air and water. Do not pile fill material directly against the trunk of a tree.

CROSS SECTION VIEW
NTS
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HARD SURFACE ABOVE TREE ROOTS NOTES
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APPENDIX D – EXPLORATORY EXCAVATION MEMO
Page 23–24
Extracted from: Arborist Report - Massie 20250710