Can I cut a few of the roots of a tree without killing it?
Question:Maple tree roots are starting to buckle the sidewalk in front of my house. I want to know if I can just cut the roots that go under the sidewalk to stop this without killing the tree. I will go ahead and take the tree down if this is going to kill it anyway. The tree is about 20 years old.
Answers:
Yes...
If you trim a couple of roots back, you'll only harm a few branches. Essentially, for every branch you see in the crown, there is a root in the ground. The only thing the trimming of some surface roots will do is (other than cause a branch or two to loose some leaves), is (slightly) increase the likelihood of the tree toppling in the opposite direction in a really serious windstorm (ie: hurricane level winds)...It's not a radical increase, but it is there.
I have no specific knowledge of big maples, but I have studied bonsai - there is a principle that if you remove some of the root, always be sure to remove some of the tops as well.
The idea is that the roots take in water, and the leaves release water. If you remove a significant portion of the root, and do not remove some of the tops, then the plant has no choice but to release more water than it can take in.
just something to keep in mind, hope this is helpful. Perhaps you could consult your local arborist...
It depends on what kind of tree it is -if it has a long tap root you probably won't hurt it -but if it is a tree that depends on runner roots yes you could kill it or weaken it's ability to stay up in heavy winds
It depends on the roots you cut. We've done a lot of dirt work around our house and some of the roots were disturbed on a few trees within the last year they have died. More often than not the tree will not live. But I would try it first just because maple trees are beautiful and very disease resistant. There are many tree diseases going around right now killing ash and elm trees especially. If it doesn't live at least you tried to keep it.
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