286 O'Herrin et al.: Homebuilder Practices and Perceptions on Wooded Lots et al. 2015). This practice of high grading the site before subdivision into lots can result in trees with poor structure or health remaining as part of the future landscape because the same defects that can preclude trees from being harvested can make them unfit to be preserved for the built environ- ment (Harris et al. 2004; Fite and Smiley 2008a). These trees may have insect, disease, or structural problems, which when combined with the stress induced by nearby construction activities, result in a negative tree preservation outcome (Matheny and Clark 1998; Johnson 1999; Harris et al. 2004; Fite and Smiley 2008b). Homeowners and builders who lack skills to properly develop and implement plans, and to supervise the preservation of trees, oſten leave behind trees that should not be saved, or unknowingly injure trees in the construction process (Johnson 1999; Fite and Smiley 2008b). Builders’ land development practices are typically motivated by profit and market demand (Vigmos- tad 2003; Tinker et al. 2006). When building homes on speculation, a builder oſten selects conventional land development models even if an unconventional practice (e.g., tree preservation) may be more prof- itable. This is known as satisficing (Bowman and Thompson 2009; Westbrook 2010). However, if homebuyers educate themselves on alternatives to conventional land development models and request a given feature, builders would probably respond if the market demanded it (Vigmostad 2003; Ryan 2006). Reputation and public image are very impor- tant to developers. They take large financial risks when developing large subdivisions, and so they frequently respond to market demand (Sevelka 2004; Ryan 2006; Bowman and Thompson 2009; Westbrook 2010). This can be seen with the improvement of energy efficiency of new homes over the last 20 to 30 years, from windows and walls to appliances. As requests from educated consumers for energy efficiency have increased, builders have acquired the necessary training, and these features have become conventional. In central Wisconsin, U.S., prospective home- owners have historically relied exclusively on a building contractor to plan and create their new home, rather than including professionals trained in tree preservation on construction sites (Vander Weit and Miller 1986). During the past quar- ter century, many important practices have been ©2016 International Society of Arboriculture developed that minimize damage to trees during construction (Matheny and Clark 1998; Johnson 1999; Harris et al. 2004; Fite and Smiley 2008a; Fite and Smiley 2008b; Fite and Smiley 2009; Wat- son et al. 2014b). Professional arborists and urban foresters trained in these methods can provide tree preservation plans that are effective if followed from the outset of development to completion. In the past, builders in central Wisconsin did not routinely consult with tree preservation professionals (Vander Weit and Miller 1986). Therefore, the success of tree preservation dur- ing construction depended on builder knowledge and activities. In 1980, builder knowledge of the negative impacts on trees incurred during con- struction was generally poor (Vander Weit 1984; Vander Weit and Miller 1986). As with tree pres- ervation plans developed by professional arborists and urban foresters, the use of proper best man- agement practices by builders during home construction can be critical to the successful pres- ervation of trees and are most effective when fol- lowed from start to finish (Fite and Smiley 2008a). The objective of this study was to determine the perceptions and knowledge of central Wiscon- sin builders and developers regarding trees and construction activity, and how those percep- tions and knowledge have changed since 1980. METHODS The study of builder perceptions, activities, and knowledge of construction in wooded lots was conducted in Portage County, Wisconsin, U.S. This central Wisconsin location covers 2,074 km2 with a population of 70,019 people (U.S. Census Bureau 2010). Population growth was 0.73% annually over the past 30 years. Builders selected for the study were members of the Golden Sands Home Builders Association (GSHBA); researchers targeted 100% of this builder group (n = 49). Tree preservation regu- lations and ordinances are non-existent in the study area (Ernster 2015). An exception would be any cov- enants that a subdivision may have placed upon itself through this regulatory approach that may stipulate tree preservation and/or construction near trees. A questionnaire, approved by the UWSP Human Subjects committee, consisted of 42 ques- tions, 28 of which were adapted from a previous study administered in 1980 by Vander Weit (1984)
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