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Exposed roots are common as trees mature and can reflect shallow watering, compacted soil or a species’ natural growth pattern. Arborists advise not cutting or repeatedly mowing over them; safer options include a thin soil top-dressing, organic mulch or carefully selected shade plants.
A Country Living gardening report featuring arborists and extension specialists says homeowners should avoid cutting exposed tree roots, which can weaken a tree and leave it more vulnerable to disease and pests. For roots that create a mowing or tripping concern, the report describes lower-impact options including organic mulch, limited soil top-dressing and shade-tolerant plants.
Surface roots are common, particularly as trees mature, and do not automatically indicate that a tree is unhealthy. Barbara Fair, a certified arborist and North Carolina State University associate professor and extension specialist, says roots grow toward available oxygen, water and nutrients. Many trees have roots that spread laterally rather than extending deep underground, forming a broad root plate that helps support the tree.
Site conditions can contribute to roots appearing at the surface. Blake Watkins, a master arborist and plant-health-care director at Monster Tree Service, points to compacted soil—including soil affected by construction—and frequent, shallow lawn irrigation as possible factors. Some trees, including redwoods, camphors, Southern magnolias, maples, sycamores and willows, are also associated with shallow roots. Watkins says this does not necessarily mean the tree has a problem.
The report warns against cutting roots or repeatedly running a mower over them. Mary Carol Sheffield, a certified arborist and University of Georgia extension agent, says root damage can affect a tree’s long-term health and create openings that make it more susceptible to pests and disease. If covering roots with soil, Fair recommends no more than two inches of sandy, loamy soil; a deep layer can suffocate roots. She says this approach may need to be repeated as roots continue to grow.
Protecting Roots and Tree Stability
Exposed roots can make routine yard work harder and create mowing and tripping hazards, but removing them to make a lawn look neater can damage the tree. The advice matters because a solution that seems quick—cutting a root or piling soil over it—may trade a surface problem for harm to the tree’s health or support.
Groundcover is not always a practical fix. Fair says grass and trees compete for water and nutrients, and turf may struggle beneath a large tree. Where roots are near a sidewalk or otherwise creating a structural concern, Watkins recommends consulting a certified arborist rather than attempting root removal. The report does not promise that every site can be corrected without trade-offs; an arborist can assess the specific tree and location.
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Why Roots Reach the Surface
The report describes exposed roots as a common feature of mature trees, not necessarily a sign of disease. Fair says most tree roots grow within the upper three feet of soil, with many extending outward beyond the canopy’s drip line. Large buttress roots can help anchor the tree while spreading laterally.
Growing conditions may also shape where roots develop. Compaction can restrict downward growth, while lawn irrigation several times a week may keep moisture near the surface. Watkins says deeper, less frequent watering during drought may encourage roots to seek moisture farther down. He suggests running a hose slowly for a few hours about once a month; homeowners with irrigation systems may consider bubbler-style emitters. The report does not give a universal watering schedule for every tree or soil type, so local conditions matter.
“It often says more about the soil and growing site than about the tree itself.”
— Blake Watkins, master arborist and director of plant health care at Monster Tree Service
The Right Fix Depends on the Site
The report does not identify a single remedy that suits every tree. The cause of exposed roots, the tree species, soil conditions and proximity to sidewalks or other structures can all affect what is safe. It also does not establish that exposed roots themselves mean a tree is unhealthy. Homeowners should seek an on-site assessment if roots are lifting pavement or causing another structural concern; a qualified arborist can evaluate the tree and available options.
Choose a Low-Impact Approach
For roots that are not damaging structures, homeowners can leave them exposed and avoid mowing over them, or use a two- to three-inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or pine straw. Spread it over the roots toward the drip line, but leave a few inches around the trunk clear so the root flare—the junction of trunk and roots—remains visible. The report advises against rock mulch.
Shade-tolerant groundcovers or perennials, including ferns, hostas and small hydrangeas, are another option, but planting can damage roots if it requires digging large holes. The report suggests planting while a tree is young or using bare-root perennials. If the tree is in drought conditions, consider deeper, less frequent watering rather than repeated shallow watering, adjusting for local conditions. For roots affecting pavement or stability, the next step is to contact a certified arborist before cutting or covering them.
Key Questions
Should I cut exposed tree roots?
No. The arborists quoted in the report warn that cutting roots can harm a tree’s long-term health and may increase its susceptibility to pests and disease. Ask a certified arborist to assess roots creating a structural problem.
Can I cover surface roots with soil?
The report says a light top-dressing of sandy, loamy soil may be used, but Fair recommends adding no more than two inches. A deeper layer can suffocate roots; the treatment may also need repeating as roots grow.
What is the safest way to cover exposed roots?
Use two to three inches of organic mulch, such as wood chips or pine straw, and keep it a few inches away from the trunk to leave the root flare visible. The report advises against rock mulch.
Why are roots growing above ground?
Roots may grow near the surface because of a tree’s species or maturity, compacted soil, or frequent shallow watering. Exposed roots do not by themselves establish that the tree is unhealthy.
Can grass grow over exposed roots?
It may be difficult. Fair says turf and tree roots compete for water and nutrients, so grass under a large tree may not grow as well as hoped. Shade-tolerant plants or mulch may be more suitable, provided planting does not damage roots.
Source: countryliving.com
