How To Begin Treating Damaged Tree Roots

Trees rely on their root systems for a host of reasons. But root damage is a common problem among trees in urban and suburban areas. Since roots are critical for a tree’s survival, promptness is key in treating damaged tree roots. Without accurate care, root damage can make a tree deteriorate and die.

Below are some common causes and symptoms of root damage. There are also a few damaged tree root treatment techniques.

Common Causes of Root Damage
Tree roots can become damaged from many causes, but some of the most common include:

Animals
A host of animals, mainly insects, feed on tree roots. Fortunately, many such issues are somewhat self-limiting and respond excellently to various treatments.

Soil Compaction
Compressing the soil around a tree’s roots can hinder their growth and even create physical damage. Soil compression can result from numerous causes, but lots of foot traffic and the use of heavy machinery are two of the most well-known. Luckily, there are many ways to handle compacted soil.

Trenching or Digging
When you dig in the area around a tree, you jeopardize harming its roots. Unfortunately, this sort of damage can happen while digging the shallowest holes or trenches. Most of a tree’s absorbing roots are around the upper 12 to 18 inches of the soil.


Symptoms of Severed Roots
Depending on the seriousness of the root damage, trees can display numerous symptoms. Some of the most obvious and well-known are:

Crown Dieback
Crown dieback is the gradual death of a tree’s canopy. In some instance, the damage will be just to a single branch, while other instances will be the complete death of the canopy.
 
Poor Growth or Vigor
Trees with damaged roots cannot thrive and grow as they should. This can make them grow slowly, display poor health or not reach their usual size.


Ways to Help Trees with Damaged Roots
Sadly, significant root damage can be the death of a tree. Though, trees can typically overcome minor cases of root damage, especially when supportive measures are used.

Some of the most well-known steps taken to support trees with root damage include:

Mulch – Mulch helps to nourish and protect tree roots, helping them live and make new roots.

Radial Trenching – Radial trenching is the digging of soil in the root space and adding mulch or topsoil, helping to aid the tree’s roots and entice new growth.

If one of your trees has suffered from root damage, contact a local, experienced, certified Syracuse arborist.

---