Root-ball disruption scale. Prior to backfilling, each tree root ball was rated to assess cracking, distortion, and damage associated with planting and handling.
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | No disruption to root ball. |
| 1 | Minor cracking. |
| 2 | Moderate cracking, but no visible root ball distortion. Tree stability unaffected. |
| 3 | Moderate cracking with at least one side of the root ball flattened or distorted. Noticeable difference in tree stability. |
| 4 | Severe cracking and significant distortion of overall root ball shape. Stability of tree significantly affected. |
| 5 | Complete bare-rooting. |