Tree roots rising?

[Scott K]

I have a big maple tree, and there are some roots raising up in through the grass, and will catch my mower blade.

Can I just cut them off, or will that hurt the tree? If I can cut them off do I need to treat the root with anything? The roots are 2" around or so? Any help would be great! I dont want to harm the tree, but Im sick of hitting it with the mower blade!

[Bobb-o]

your best bet to not hurt the tree would be to put some mulch around the tree. The tree may heal itself if you cut some of the roots but that is very strongly advised against and may actually cause a decline in the tree. put some black edging around the tree in whatever shape you think looks nice and then fill it with some mulch, it will give your yard a more professionally landscaped look and will help the tree alot. Plus you get extra room to plant other plants and less lawn to mow.

[Scott K]

The tree originally had some poor excuse for landscaping around the tree. It had a circle of about 2 ft on the outer part of the tree, And Im in the middle of re-doing that now. But there is one root about 10 feet away from the tree, that emerged about 2 inches out of the ground, thats the one I keep hitting with my mower, and the one I want to cut out. I could make a mound of dirt around it and plant above it, but then ther would be a mound there that is higher then the rest of the yard. What should I do with it? Thabks for your opinions.

[Bobb-o]

you should never add dirt above roots of a tree cuz that can alos kill the tree, as the roots also take in oxygen, which is why they are just under the surface in the first place. Really the only thing to add to it would be mulch, or just leave it.

[Powerstroke]

Most likely this is a silver maple. Their roots are notorious for coming to the surface. That is how they get additional oxygen. If you put2" of dirt over it it will continue to come up through the soil.

DO NOT CUT THE ROOT. You can do it if you want, but it will only weaken the tree. It uses the roots to get food and to hold itself up. Best thing to do is mulch to the diameter of the tree to keep the root out of your mowing zone.

You didn't like mowing that much anyway.

[Scott K]

Yes it is a silver maple. This is a big bushed out tree. I will live with it for a while and see how much it [PoorWordUsage]es me off this summer. I really dont want to hurt the tree, since it is the primary shade for my back deck. Thanks for the info.

[Powerstroke]

I feel your pain. I have 2 in my yard and another one that was removed a few years ago, but the roots remain. Its another downside to a tree that is more weed than tree.