I've been scanning UA-cam for helpful information to help me in deciding how to handle my aggressive banyan tree roots. This was by far the most accurate and informative. Thank you.
I have surface roots growing along my fence line. Very noticeable. And when I mow the blade goes over the roots. Have had to replace them once but not doing it again. I've been using my trimmer ever since, and have called diggers hotline. Once they're done so are those roots.
This makes sense in theory, but realistically it isn't that simple. Because you can have surface roots 25' out from the trunk. The best advice they should be giving as part of the solution is to not plant maples especially Silver maples to begin with.
I have a gigantic silver maple. Yeah, it's got surface roots, but the tree has been really great. It's healthy and looks good. A lot of people here sound like clearcutters.
Well done. Thank you. I have a large Japanese maple whose roots extend at least 15 feet away from the trunk. I want to plant Arrowwood Viburnum and Forsythia over the root system, starting about 8 feet away from the trunk. There are already some of these about 12 feet away doing quite well, but I want to add some a little closer. Is this worth trying?
I really hate maple tree in my front yard and the two aspen trees in the back yard. It's extremely difficult to dig around the maple tree because of the roots everywhere. The aspen trees are like a monster. The suckers are everywhere that even my neighbor finds suckers from my yard in her basement. They are so aggressive! Never plant aspen around your house!
This video FAILS to recognize the extreme over-spreading of the tree roots causing so much damage to the property. INSTEAD, it simply suggest COVERUP techniques-like enabling alcoholics! It doesn’t propose ideas such “containment” strategy, where expanded tree roots get demolished and cut, without the tree notice anything is missing. Very disappointing.
Thank you for mentioning how bad retaining walls are around trees. I do not like them. I am removing the wall that the previous homeowner installed. I'm sure the roots wil be happier.
Aesthetically that’s an answer to the problem, but the problem still exists. The tree’s gigantic, it has a huge root system too. So depending the trees location...does it pose a threat to property or unsuspecting humans should it be hit by lightening, or uprooted by high winds? If so, it’s time to start dismembering what could be a lot of future heartache
The tree should have a deeper hole to grow the roots. Those massive trees need like a 5ft hole, plus a 2ftx2ftx2ftD drain hole on the low side filled with rocks. Then the roots won’t come top soil for water and air. Plus when planted the roots need a 25lb+ rock for the roots to anchor to. Those big trees fall over because their roots are not deep enough.
Would you ever cut surface roots? I have a maple in my yard with surface roots all the way to my house. I feel like I at least need to cut the roots that are trying to get under my house. I had an arborist come out and tell me that I can aggressively cut nearly all of the surface roots in my yard but I haven't seen that advice anywhere else.
Ha ha that’s funny I was doing the same thing, I know I’ve done it before with no problem (nothing over 2 inches). just consulting UA-cam before I started cutting roots now I’m not sure what to think, my neighbors will think I’m a tree murderer.
The surface roots of my oaks are very bad with grass growing around it. I am thinking of leveling it by either cutting the root of the tree down or by trying to kill the grass around my tree, adding soil to level the yard and then turning it into a gravel bed. What did you end up doing?
Maples? Should all be cut down..espeically Silver Maples.. 1st Ck the Age of the Tree and then Ck their Lifespan, if more than 70% old? Time to cut it down and Plant a New Tree, for you and your family to grow old with,not someone elses Grandmother and grandkids..
My lawn is very sparce and needs reseeding, but the maple tree there has many surface roots. Thus, I cant level the soil. Also, it would be hard to mow over surface roots in a lawn. I'm afraid of killing the tree if I cut out the roots. What should I do? Can I cut out the roots?
I have 2 live oaks trees 19 Ft away from my home. I’m debating to bring the trees down or putting a root barrier. I’m in Dallas Tx. Would a root barrier stop the roots from going under my home ? Will I deal with roots years later ? Will it weaken the tree by doing so ? Will the tree die in the summer. The root barrier will be 10 ft from the tree, 25 ft each tree will be cut facing the home.. If you could help me make my decision. Before January 10, 23. It’s affecting my foundation of my home. What would you do?
Could you please turn on closed captioning for this video for accessibility compliance? I would like to use it as an educational material but cannot unless I have closed captions or a transcript.
I don't know why cc isn't on this video. Usually UA-cam can self generate them as are most of our videos. For some reason as a creator, I can't seem to turn them on.
I have a lot of old trees in my yard and live in a town that does not let you remove a tree unless it is sick or dying. My problem is I have roots coming up along a pathway leading into my backyard and misplacing my stepping blocks. This has become very dangerous for me being disabled to walk over. I don’t want to kill anything and I am not sure if these roots are from a tree or a bush. I have had garden people level them off but before long they are misplacing my steppingstones again. Help with any ideas. Thank you
kathy Turner I have the same problem :/ I’m afraid to cut the root underneath the concrete slab in my backyard. Idk if the redwood tree will die and fall on the back of my house :(
Find something else to do. You're never going to mow that. I've got two very mature Maples with surface roots to put those in the video to shame. But I've just gotten the thought that I have a bunch of Hosta I'd like somewhere else and this is where they'll go.
You can take out surface roots if you don't cut more than 25% of the diameter of the trunk at breast height. Try to err on the side of caution and not take out too much. Don't use a stump grinder; that will tear things up. Dig around the root and get it clear of soil, then cut it with a pruning saw.
Unfortunately, these surface roots serve as trip hazards and tear up the blades of mowers. Short of removing the trees, ground covers may be the best option.
My tree has one thick root that extended and is exposed growing leaves on the root from the actual tree. I will cut out that annoying root and place soil and sod over it.
I have too many roots. they are way, way out from the tree.. I'm gonna skim cut the top of the roots.. Roots are not much different than branches, You can cut a few with out harming the tree... A skim job, will not remove much..
The homeowner did not renovate the area below the tree at that time. Kim did her best to explain what to do beginning at 3:05 in the video. The point was to not make a retaining wall around the trunk of the tree.
No, please don't cover those roots! I love surface roots. It is my dream to be able to walk on tree roots barefoot once more as I used to do as a child in the forest! 😭
As a professional arborist I've had property owners practically jump in front of my truck crying. Why are roots of everything I plant growing on top of the ground? Help me. So first allow me to supply all you viewers with the only viable option possible. It's best to proceed over long-term broken down to four stages over 15 years. Or 10 years by applying a growth regulator which stunts above-ground tree growth while a new deeper root system regrows itself. Begin by measuring 10 ft away from Main trunk then cleanly sever all roots along that outer border one quarter of the area surrounding your tree. Then have that outer portion of your yard Roto tilled and or deeply vertically fertilized using a high-pressure compressed air wand following a grid system of holes. A whole new major root system will begin regrowing from the cleanly cut root ends. But this time much deeper. Only that whole new area of recovering aerated soil will be much more susceptible to re compaction over at least first year. Especially and I mean especially when ground is wet. Installing a boardwalk or deck using sunken Pier foundations over that portion of yard with a cushioning layer of wood chips will permanently prevent compaction. A successful method we've been using around grammar schools. Now the reasons surface Roots lift sidewalks and trip your ass, because they're supposed to. Just like roots take advantage of already leaking pipes, cutting down the tree doesn't fix the leak. The developer that built your subdivision or single property 50 years or less ago screwed everyone after hauling acres and Acres of black soil away all way down to the clay level. Or you had an above ground swimming pool or you keep blazing a walking path over same parts of your yard. Also by cheap asses installing Loosely fitting clay sewer pipes when House was built that inevitably leak. Well you know how people brag about trees producing oxygen for US Air breathers? Well trees root systems actually need atmospheric oxygen to function. Certain species are just more sensitive to lack of oxygen, and every time we see tree Roots on top of the ground the soil is so f***** below roots are on their way to find better growing conditions elsewhere Nextdoor maybe even half a block down the street.
I've been scanning UA-cam for helpful information to help me in deciding how to handle my aggressive banyan tree roots. This was by far the most accurate and informative. Thank you.
masterjefftkd %
I have surface roots growing along my fence line. Very noticeable. And when I mow the blade goes over the roots. Have had to replace them once but not doing it again. I've been using my trimmer ever since, and have called diggers hotline. Once they're done so are those roots.
what about adding top soil to the lawn to cover the old-age maple surface roots?
This makes sense in theory, but realistically it isn't that simple. Because you can have surface roots 25' out from the trunk. The best advice they should be giving as part of the solution is to not plant maples especially Silver maples to begin with.
I hate my silver maple roots!! That's why I'm here
I have a gigantic silver maple. Yeah, it's got surface roots, but the tree has been really great. It's healthy and looks good. A lot of people here sound like clearcutters.
Well done. Thank you. I have a large Japanese maple whose roots extend at least 15 feet away from the trunk. I want to plant Arrowwood Viburnum and Forsythia over the root system, starting about 8 feet away from the trunk. There are already some of these about 12 feet away doing quite well, but I want to add some a little closer. Is this worth trying?
I really hate maple tree in my front yard and the two aspen trees in the back yard. It's extremely difficult to dig around the maple tree because of the roots everywhere. The aspen trees are like a monster. The suckers are everywhere that even my neighbor finds suckers from my yard in her basement. They are so aggressive! Never plant aspen around your house!
Bonide makes a product called Sucker Punch you might want to consider. I haven't used it, but I know of it. May be worth a shot.
This video FAILS to recognize the extreme over-spreading of the tree roots causing so much damage to the property. INSTEAD, it simply suggest COVERUP techniques-like enabling alcoholics! It doesn’t propose ideas such “containment” strategy, where expanded tree roots get demolished and cut, without the tree notice anything is missing. Very disappointing.
Thank you for mentioning how bad retaining walls are around trees. I do not like them. I am removing the wall that the previous homeowner installed. I'm sure the roots wil be happier.
Aesthetically that’s an answer to the problem, but the problem still exists. The tree’s gigantic, it has a huge root system too. So depending the trees location...does it pose a threat to property or unsuspecting humans should it be hit by lightening, or uprooted by high winds? If so, it’s time to start dismembering what could be a lot of future heartache
The tree should have a deeper hole to grow the roots. Those massive trees need like a 5ft hole, plus a 2ftx2ftx2ftD drain hole on the low side filled with rocks. Then the roots won’t come top soil for water and air. Plus when planted the roots need a 25lb+ rock for the roots to anchor to. Those big trees fall over because their roots are not deep enough.
Would you ever cut surface roots? I have a maple in my yard with surface roots all the way to my house. I feel like I at least need to cut the roots that are trying to get under my house. I had an arborist come out and tell me that I can aggressively cut nearly all of the surface roots in my yard but I haven't seen that advice anywhere else.
Ha ha that’s funny I was doing the same thing, I know I’ve done it before with no problem (nothing over 2 inches). just consulting UA-cam before I started cutting roots now I’m not sure what to think, my neighbors will think I’m a tree murderer.
The surface roots of my oaks are very bad with grass growing around it. I am thinking of leveling it by either cutting the root of the tree down or by trying to kill the grass around my tree, adding soil to level the yard and then turning it into a gravel bed. What did you end up doing?
Maples? Should all be cut down..espeically Silver Maples.. 1st Ck the Age of the Tree and then Ck their Lifespan, if more than 70% old? Time to cut it down and Plant a New Tree, for you and your family to grow old with,not someone elses Grandmother and grandkids..
Cutting those roots would be a bad thing.
Cutting them can hurt stunt and even kill the trees.
My lawn is very sparce and needs reseeding, but the maple tree there has many surface roots. Thus, I cant level the soil. Also, it would be hard to mow over surface roots in a lawn. I'm afraid of killing the tree if I cut out the roots. What should I do? Can I cut out the roots?
I have 2 live oaks trees 19 Ft away from my home. I’m debating to bring the trees down or putting a root barrier. I’m in Dallas Tx.
Would a root barrier stop the roots from going under my home ? Will I deal with roots years later ? Will it weaken the tree by doing so ? Will the tree die in the summer.
The root barrier will be 10 ft from the tree, 25 ft each tree will be cut facing the home..
If you could help me make my decision. Before January 10, 23. It’s affecting my foundation of my home. What would you do?
Could you please turn on closed captioning for this video for accessibility compliance? I would like to use it as an educational material but cannot unless I have closed captions or a transcript.
I don't know why cc isn't on this video. Usually UA-cam can self generate them as are most of our videos. For some reason as a creator, I can't seem to turn them on.
No answers in this video
I have a lot of old trees in my yard and live in a town that does not let you remove a tree unless it is sick or dying. My problem is I have roots coming up along a pathway leading into my backyard and misplacing my stepping blocks. This has become very dangerous for me being disabled to walk over. I don’t want to kill anything and I am not sure if these roots are from a tree or a bush. I have had garden people level them off but before long they are misplacing my steppingstones again. Help with any ideas. Thank you
kathy Turner
I have the same problem :/
I’m afraid to cut the root underneath the concrete slab in my backyard. Idk if the redwood tree will die and fall on the back of my house :(
the question arises. which company or g8vernemt do you work for?
This isn't helping. I want to be able to mow, what can I do.
Find something else to do.
You're never going to mow that. I've got two very mature Maples with surface roots to put those in the video to shame. But I've just gotten the thought that I have a bunch of Hosta I'd like somewhere else and this is where they'll go.
Fence in rooted area , and then throw in a couple of ......Beavers!
Leve the tree alone. Buy a weed Wacker.
Did anyone else see the human face on the root of tree on minute 2:14 it’s the root on the center of screen creepy but cool
Oh that's just uncle Bob Tree 😅😯😥🏃♂️
Try using A B'ROOT BAR ROOT CUTTING TOOL. IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE BUT IT'S OUR GO TO TOOL IN THE FENCE INDUSTRY.
"What can you do about tree root trouble? Nothing."
So you’re not going to show the feathering and removal of wall? Do you put the wall back in further? No I have more questions and no answers.
Can I take a stump grinder and remove all of those exposed roots and then plant grass over the top?
Yes U can.....
Only if you want the tree to die
You can take out surface roots if you don't cut more than 25% of the diameter of the trunk at breast height. Try to err on the side of caution and not take out too much. Don't use a stump grinder; that will tear things up. Dig around the root and get it clear of soil, then cut it with a pruning saw.
Unfortunately, these surface roots serve as trip hazards and tear up the blades of mowers. Short of removing the trees, ground covers may be the best option.
My tree has one thick root that extended and is exposed growing leaves on the root from the actual tree. I will cut out that annoying root and place soil and sod over it.
My tree & roots are near driveway. I want grass, not mud or mulch to walk on. So , I can’t start hacking at the tops to level with ground???
So can you cut those roots off
Yes cut away .....Hacksaw Jim !
What kind of perrenials do you recommend for under trees...oak, poplar & pine?
I have seen people plan Hostas as they are perennials but they are not ground covers...
HASTA'S--THEY LOVE THE SHADE, AND PLANT 2-4 VARIATIES..GET THEM FROM A NURSURY NOT AT HOME DEPOT OR WALMART EITHER..
I have too many roots. they are way, way out from the tree.. I'm gonna skim cut the top of the roots.. Roots are not much different than branches, You can cut a few with out harming the tree... A skim job, will not remove much..
Less than $30, use a carbide circular saw blade and a gas trimmer can cut and grind these roots much faster, easier, and fun.
Very informative, thankyou
Ya let me mulch my whole yard
Cut the tree....and sell 4 lumber🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
YOU DID NOT SHOW HOW TO FIX IT. IT IS A VIDEO. YOU SHOULD HAVE SHOWED THE AFTER PART OF REMOVING THE BRICKS AND SHOWED WHAT TO DO..... RIDICULOUS
The homeowner did not renovate the area below the tree at that time. Kim did her best to explain what to do beginning at 3:05 in the video. The point was to not make a retaining wall around the trunk of the tree.
Use your imagination, Brock. She told you what to do.
How useless is this information! WOW! Can I have 3 minutes and 41 seconds of my life back?
Cut these tree down.
Pro-clearcutting, are ya?
No, please don't cover those roots! I love surface roots. It is my dream to be able to walk on tree roots barefoot once more as I used to do as a child in the forest! 😭
As a professional arborist I've had property owners practically jump in front of my truck crying. Why are roots of everything I plant growing on top of the ground? Help me.
So first allow me to supply all you viewers with the only viable option possible.
It's best to proceed over long-term broken down to four stages over 15 years. Or 10 years by applying a growth regulator which stunts above-ground tree growth while a new deeper root system regrows itself.
Begin by measuring 10 ft away from Main trunk then cleanly sever all roots along that outer border one quarter of the area surrounding your tree.
Then have that outer portion of your yard Roto tilled and or deeply vertically fertilized using a high-pressure compressed air wand following a grid system of holes.
A whole new major root system will begin regrowing from the cleanly cut root ends. But this time much deeper.
Only that whole new area of recovering aerated soil will be much more susceptible to re compaction over at least first year. Especially and I mean especially when ground is wet.
Installing a boardwalk or deck using sunken Pier foundations over that portion of yard with a cushioning layer of wood chips will permanently prevent compaction. A successful method we've been using around grammar schools.
Now the reasons surface Roots lift sidewalks and trip your ass, because they're supposed to. Just like roots take advantage of already leaking pipes, cutting down the tree doesn't fix the leak.
The developer that built your subdivision or single property 50 years or less ago screwed everyone after hauling acres and Acres of black soil away all way down to the clay level. Or you had an above ground swimming pool or you keep blazing a walking path over same parts of your yard.
Also by cheap asses installing Loosely fitting clay sewer pipes when House was built that inevitably leak.
Well you know how people brag about trees producing oxygen for US Air breathers? Well trees root systems actually need atmospheric oxygen to function.
Certain species are just more sensitive to lack of oxygen, and every time we see tree Roots on top of the ground the soil is so f***** below roots are on their way to find better growing conditions elsewhere Nextdoor maybe even half a block down the street.
Root = Raiz