We don’t often think about the roots of trees until there is a problem. A forester friend of mine called it a “fencepost mentality.” Being underground, they are often out of sight out of mind. However ...

I’ve had some recent interactions with people frustrated by tree roots that surface, causing mowing difficulties and potential ankle-twisting opportunities. What can be done with surface roots?

Tree roots growing at or slightly above the soil surface are called surface roots. Homeowners having trees with these surface roots are frustrated with the additional challenges posed by mowing and ...

Q: As you can see from the attached photo, tree roots are surfacing in the lawn, which makes mowing difficult to impossible. Do you have any suggestions? I’m not sure if we should cover them and build ...

Q: We moved to a property where there are many shallow, large roots spreading out from a mature tree in the lawn, and the roots have holes in a few places. Should we fill them in to prevent rot? A: ...

Large trees often develop surface roots that can damage sidewalks, mower blades, and tree health. Mulch 2–3 inches deep to cover roots safely and reduce maintenance without harming the tree. Never cut ...

Q. I’ve cut down a crape myrtle tree and now I now have them sprouting up all over the place. Do you have any ideas on how can I get rid of these? — Josephine Hargrave, Portsmouth Many trees and ...

Question: Can tree roots cause damage to a home’s foundation? I have a 3’ in diameter pin oak tree that is within 10 feet of my house. A certified arborist took a look at it and said that he would ...

An aerial view of a fossil of Archaeopteris, a 385-million-year-old tree with surprisingly modern-looking roots. William Stein and Christopher Berry At three trillion strong, Earth’s trees are ...