How To Deal with Exposed Tree Roots Above The Ground?
Tall, wide, green trees look lushful and enhance the curb appeal of any property they are planted on. But, the same can’t be said about their sprawling roots! Often unsightly, above-ground tree roots are a big obstacle and make lawn care a lot of hassle.
If you decide to call a professional tree roots removal service to remove these grotesque obstacles, then you don’t have to worry about anything. However, homeowners who want to perform DIY tree root removal should remember that doing so without proper knowledge can harm and even kill the tree.
Thus, to help them avoid killing their precious trees, the best tree removal company in New Jersey has taken the liberty to mention a few things to bear in mind while dealing with exposed tree roots.
Things You Should Absolutely Avoid When Roots Grow Above Ground
- Putting more soil over the roots: For growing trees, you should never change the soil level around the roots. Burying the roots might take them out of your view, but it suffocates, kills the roots, and puts pressure on the tree. When you cut off the roots, you cut the lifeline of water and nutrients on which the tree depends.
- Paving over roots: Paving over exposed tree roots is equivalent to covering them with soil and making them worse. This causes the tree roots to die and rot. Doing so will cause the pavement foundation to vibrate, resulting in an uneven and unstable surface. Additionally, it will increase the tripping hazards on paving too.
- Cutting off exposed tree roots: Never cut down the roots of the exposed tree. Do not be fooled by strong tree roots that may appear dead! They are all alive, well and do not sleep. The cut-off roots are like a well-defined branch; he could not recover.
- Cover them under a mulch volcano: Mulch is a great addition to creating a healthy garden, but only if it’s in the right place. Don’t pile mulch around the trunk to hide exposed roots. Always keep mulch away from the root of the tree trunk.
- Disguise them under a new planting bed: Ensure that the new planting areas are always at the tree’s drip line or beyond that. Digging deep into the root canal area near a tree can be devastating and can kill the tree. In addition, adding new plants to existing plants also increases water competition. You will have better trees that will last longer if you plant annuals and perennials in different areas and leave the soil near your tree.
What You Should Do With Exposed Roots?
- Add a Layer of Mulch: Adding a layer of mulch is the most preferred and easiest option by the top tree care services. Carefully remove the remaining grass around the trunk and replace it with a thick layer of mulch. This penetrates and insulates the roots, discourages pedestrian traffic, and eliminates the need for mowing. Use cut or trimmed hardwood bark for mulching, but avoid stains that differ because they contain harmful dyes.
- Take care of Compacted Soil: Compacted soil is one of the main reasons for tree root exposure and poor tree health. If you have compacted soil, repair it professionally. The best (and least damaging) way to improve compacted soil is to use an air path around tree roots to loosen the soil, compost to add nutrients, and then backfill. Ideally, you can spread a layer of wood and then shred the mulch on the drip line to prevent future compaction.
Ring the Experts!
Unsure of how to take the best care of your tree and the overexposed roots? Pick your phone and call the local, professional tree root removal service of Branch Specialists New Jersey. Our expert arborists will inspect your trees and do all the necessary things to restore your tree’s health and take care of the roots.