What defines a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)?

A Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) is specifically defined as a restricted area established to protect designated trees during construction and development activities. This zone is crucial in urban planning and construction projects, as it ensures that the health and stability of the trees are maintained. The TPZ typically encompasses the area around the tree's trunk and extends outward to a distance that corresponds to the tree's drip line or a specified distance determined by a professional arborist.

The purpose of the Tree Protection Zone is to minimize soil compaction, damage to roots, and other disturbances that could arise from construction activities. By designating a TPZ, regulations can be enforced that limit the construction operations within that area, thereby helping to preserve the trees' ecological benefits, aesthetic value, and contribution to the environmental landscape.

In contrast, an area with no vegetation does not provide any protections for trees and does not define a TPZ. Additionally, an area where all tree activities are allowed contradicts the very purpose of a TPZ, which is to restrict activities in favor of tree conservation. Finally, a designated area for planting new trees does not relate to the protective measures surrounding existing trees; rather, it focuses on establishment rather than preservation.