How do I know a landscaping company won’t kill my existing trees?

Mature trees are valuable, and careless work can damage or kill them quickly. Heavy equipment compacting soil around roots, cutting into root zones during trenching, or changing drainage patterns can all stress or kill trees. A professional landscaping company in Salt Lake or Davis County should conduct a site walk to locate critical root zones before starting work. Typically, roots extend 1.5 times the canopy width, so equipment should be kept outside that zone whenever possible. If trenching is unavoidable, contractors can use air spades to minimize root damage. Reputable companies should also evaluate irrigation design to avoid overwatering or starving existing trees. Ask your landscaper how they plan to protect trees during installation — their answer should include fencing off root zones, using ground mats for equipment, and consulting an arborist if necessary. If they dismiss these concerns, it’s a red flag. A good landscaper treats existing trees as assets to protect, not obstacles to work around.