Oak tree & building a deck

SRQ-FL

We would like to add a deck & a fence to the front of our house; but there are about 6 oak trees in this area. (see pics.) .. what considerations should we have so we don't disturb the trees? ..
footings no closer than "x" feet?.. can we design a large wood deck with some voids where there are trees? i imagine a concrete deck wouldn't be good nor using pavers, right?
We live in Sarasota, Florida
Thanks in advance

SRQ-FL

I forgot the pictures. Here they are

Attached Thumbnails

       

Eric Frei

Online Calculator for TPZs and SRZs as per AS4970-2009

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Brent Ferris

You're right. No concrete deck, no pavers, and preferably no footings anywhere near the trees -- so put the deck somewhere else.

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My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Darrell Mcleod

If a deck; is it to be attached to the house?
You potentially could have voids for trees but would need to see some more pictures and understand the site better
Need to know if the deck is to be attached to the house what clearance underneath could be gained
Better to not use hard surfaces and / or concrete probably
Dependent upon clearance if available you can locate posts within trees roots sytems but you must be careful – in other words to do this you must be certain distances away and not within SRZ – Structural Root Zone in my view
This may mean longer spans for bearers and or joists etc; and you must not cut, interfere with or disturb substantial roots
It is a bit technical but maybe doable dependent on you plans, site, levels etc
I am a landscape designer and arborist

Brent Ferris

I agree that building the deck may be doable, but seldom is enough space left for the growing trunks, the deck almost never allows enough rain to penetrate; most builders would rather cut roots than move a hole and most holes are machine dug not hand dug, unless the deck is well above the ground, deck materials can intensify ground temperatures in the summer, and delay freezeup in the fall, delay thawing in the spring, fertilizing the root systems is virtually impossible, and finally the pictures indicate the room probably doesn't exist for a plain deck that isn't highly fragmented. IMHO

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Darrell Mcleod

To leave enough space for growing trunks is no big deal; provide adequate clearance between deck and trunk to begin with – minimum 75 mm ( 3 inches) – this must be monitored into the future and a minimum 50 mm ( 2 inches) always maintained – better explained methods are available

Decks I am used to have gaps between the boards allowing rain to go straight through

Whoever digs the holes for stumps must be aware (preferably) supervised by an arborist – really depends too on tree laws or regulations in your area – care must be taken during excavation to not damage roots and be outside SRZ – Structural Root Zone – in other words care must be taken and substantial roots not cut – it is not that simple but that is it in a nutshell - find out more

Post back with more piccies

No machine digging allowed!!!!!

At all – Get it

No machine digging allowed!!!!!

Dunno if deck materials intensify ground temperatures in summer; depends too on North South East West aspect, shade in hot afternoon etc

Decks can help as they can take direct sunlight away from roots

I notice you are in Florida – do you have freeze ups?

If fertilising was necessary probably straight through the deck

And pictures showing distance between house and deck and / or where do you wish to put the deck etc etc would help

Living with trees is great too

gooddog

In the late 70's and early80's, I helped my parents build their underground house. The house is built into a hill that had many Bur Oaks on it. We saved all the trees we could when we dug the hole. One of the oaks lost it's root system on two sides(3ft from tree) and was thought to be firewood soon. Surprisenly, none of the trees died. I have seen where heavy machinery even gets close to a oak and it dies, so we were happy and stunned that none died. Just my thoughts here but I would stay 4 ft away with a post and 15 feet away with a slab.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

Brent Ferris

Most decks have boards that are 4 inches wide and 1/4" gap between the boards, so of the water that hits the 4 1/4" width, only 6% can get thru the gap -- not usually enough to sustain tree growth. IMHO

And I agree it is no big deal to allow for tree growth when the deck is built, and extra cutting the first time, possibly the 2nd time and then (if not before) your cut will cut thru a joist -- so people just leave the deck and strangle the tree. I am sorry -- I have seen a lot of strangled trees.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)