Tree Roots

[lindy rig]

Putting up a shed in my backyard. One of the corners will be about 3 ft from a fairly mature tree. (looks like elm, but some other type of shade tree)

There is some slight ground raise with a couple roots exposed (or near surface) closer to the tree trunk. My question is: would it be really bad for the tree to remove a couple of the smaller roots near the surface?

Talking 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter or so.

[fish with teeth]

im no expert but i would say it would be ok. that being said if you put a slab under your shed the roots will continue to grow and cause your slab to raise and crack. just like driveways that have trees right next to them. i would add extra rebar, remove the whole tree, or find a new spot for the shed. again im no expert but those are my thoughts

[lindy rig]

I had to take down a perfectly nice Maple tree last year for that reason. It was too close to my concrete driveway.

I'm not doing a slab for the shed, however. It will be sitting on some premade footings and off the ground a few inches.