Help from tree experts?

Question

I have a 60-70 foot ash tree in my front yard. Due to the droughts and water restrictions in the last few years one of the roots has risen above ground. It's nearly 8" in diameter near the trunk, and reaches about 10', rising 3 1/2" above the soil. I've heard you can cut roots like this but I'm afraid the tree might topple during the next big wind. And I can't raise the level of my yard. I tried covering the root with soil, hoping the grass would grow over it but it didn't work. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Get land scape wooden ties and build a square around your tree and then fill with soil and water, you can plant some shady plants in the new spot and it will be fine. If you cut the root out it is going to kill a portion of your tree. Not an expert just an old one that has faced what you are up against.

Answer 2

Roots on the surface does not mean the tree is dangerous, damaged, or dying... the surface roots ~ roots sent out horizontally just little beneath or the surface is charcteristic of the Elm tree...

Young Elm trees should be root pruned regularly to prevent this from becoming a problem… The closer to the trunk the roots are pruned, the greater the effect on the tree…. rule-of-thumb is to make all cuts a distance from the outside of the trunk, at least 3 x’s the trunk diameter…

Mature trees are less tolerant of root pruning than young trees… with this in mind - root pruning of a tree with a trunk diameter of 2 feet should not be done within six feet of the trunk. And do it cautiously at that… using a stump grinder, this pruning method causes the least damange..

Trees on sites exposed to high winds and trees existing damage or poor general health are not good candidates for root pruning.

Answer 3

Take some pictures of your tree for posterity because it won't be alive much longer. The Emerald Green Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is sweeping the nation, killing ash in a similar fashion to "Dutch Elm disease". Some trees naturally expose buttress roots as they mature and should be left uncovered. RScott

Answer 4

do me a favor if you can take a pic of the root and the trunk and email it to me so i have a better idea of whats going on with your tree

thank you

Billy
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