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?

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: ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...