Tree Roots Cause Problems With Mowing
Marianne C. Ophardt
Washington State University Cooperative Extension
Area Extension Agent
Roots of large shade trees such as silver
maple, sycamore and others often create problems when mowing the lawn.
Does it hurt the tree to cut the big roots off?
Would it be better put some soil over the top of the roots to make the
surface nice and smooth?
Neither of these is a good solution to the
mowing problem. Severing of large,
major roots of the tree will significantly impair the tree's ability to absorb
water and nutrients from the soil. Removal
of large roots also weakens the tree structurally... remember roots help to
anchor the tree.
Raising the grade around the tree more than
one or two inches can smother the fine feeder roots on a tree.
Roots can't live without oxygen and even several inches of soil can hurt
the roots of certain trees. Deeper
soil piled around the trunk of the tree can lead to rot at the base of the
trunk... leading to tree decline and death.
Unfortunately, there is no good or easy solution to your problem. You might try killing the grass and mulching the area with bark mulch, being sure to keep the mulch several inches away from the tree trunk.