The roots of trees serve many functions, there are specific ones used for stabilizing while others are used for absorbing water and nutrients. While we tend to pay attention to what is easily visible like the canopy of the tree, roots need to be cared for just as much, if not more.

The best way to care for roots is by leaving them undisturbed. In a perfect urban setting that would look like a tree’s entire drip line (canopy) covered with mulch with minimal foot traffic. While this is not possible for many homeowners, reducing root disturbance is the next best thing.

Common Root Disturbances in Urban Areas:

Chemical disturbance:

• Weed and feed
• Interior/ Exterior paint brushes and tools rinsed outdoors
• Pool water, both saltwater and chlorine
• Gas leaks

Mechanical disturbance:

• Compression
• Trenching – plumbing, irrigation, cement work
• Install of new sod or fake turf
• Grading or changing the soil
• Landscaping rocks

Often when we think of roots we imagine large support roots in the ground, when it is the fine absorbing roots in the top few inches of soil that keep the tree alive. When these roots are cut, or the soil around them is compressed the roots die.

A healthy tree can sustain some root damage, but a tree under stress, like one living in a city and not in forest, can not sustain this type of stress for long because this is most likely not the only stressor the tree is enduring. Often we see trees die years later from root disturbance after they have used up all of its stored nutrients.

Some species respond more drastically than others to root stress. Species that do very poorly are; post oaks, magnolias, red oaks, dogwoods, and sweet gums.

There are times that roots will be disturbed by an arborist or tree health care technician to improve tree health. 

• Air spading is done to decompact soil so the tree is able to better absorb air, water and nutrients
• Root pruning in a younger tree will be done to correct girdling roots

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! If you are planning to remodel, do new landscape, or installation of sod we would love to help safeguard your trees. We are rooting for trees. Contact us today!