Learning About Tree ServicesLearning About Tree Services


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Learning About Tree Services

Hi there. My name is Preston. Welcome to my website about tree services. When a big windstorm rolls through the area, your trees could suffer damage that puts their wellbeing at risk. Losing large branches often causes damage that the tree struggles to recover from in a timely manner. You can help your tree survive by enlisting the help of a skilled arborist. The right treatments and fertilizers give trees the support they need to repair the damage without inhibiting growth. I encourage you to visit my site often to learn more about these support services. Thank you for coming by.

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What Happens When You Accidentally Cut A Tree's Root?

Having your own yard means yard work, which is either a pleasure or a chore—depending on your point of view. When making any changes to your yard during a landscaping or minor construction project, you don't only need to think about what's in your yard—but also what's under it. If you excavate anything in your yard and accidentally sever the roots of one of your trees, will the tree need to be removed? 

Closer to the Trunk

The location of the severed root can determine the severity of any damage. The closer to the tree's trunk, the more significant any resulting damage will be. The root in question is likely to be a lateral root, which spreads outwards from the trunk, just beneath the surface of the soil. If the damage occurs immediately next to the trunk, the root could alternatively be an oblique root. 

Lateral or Oblique Roots

Oblique roots also spread outwards, but downwards at a diagonal angle. The further from the trunk, the deeper the oblique root will be. Whether the root is lateral or oblique, the tree needs it for stability and to derive nutrients from the soil. Severing a root compromises the tree's ability to sustain itself and even stay upright.

Symptoms of Damage

The trouble with severing a major lateral or oblique root is that the tree will slowly deteriorate. There are a number of ways in which this will gradually become apparent. These symptoms include non-seasonal yellowing of the tree's foliage, twigs and branches becoming brittle and being shed (branch dieback), and regrowth of these damaged sections being stunted—or simply not occurring. The tree also becomes far more vulnerable to parasitic infestation (insects or fungi). Strong winds can also make an unhealthy tree with a compromised root system tilt to one side. If you haven't done so already, you need to consult an arborist.

Preservation or Removal

Early intervention is helpful, and even perhaps essential for saving a tree with a damaged root system. An arborist will provide you with options to preserve the tree, which is likely to involve intensive fertilizing, dedicated watering, and staking the tree—which can be logistically complicated with larger trees. These options will be time and labor-intensive, not to mention potentially expensive. It can be more practical to utilize the tree removal services that will also be an option. 

Losing the tree is undoubtedly disappointing, but can be a more realistic option than attempting to preserve a tree that has minimal chances of survival. Consider it a lesson learned, and you're unlikely to excavate so close to a mature tree ever again.

Reach out to a tree removal service to learn more.