Tree Roots

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Anyone else have a bunch of tree roots above the surface in their yard?

I'm wondering if it's just my neighborhood or if it's all Norman. Man, they're horrible here. Is it the clay that causes them to go above ground or the dry weather lately, or both or neither?

And, for most trees, will it hurt them if I just whack off the roots that I can see? They annoy me.

[NormanPride]

Well, I imagine it's not too good for a tree to hack off its roots... But from what I've seen, the roots don't as much grow above ground as much as the ground erodes away from them. Is there grass around these roots, or just dirt?

[Jimminy Crimson]

What kind of tree, Beans?

[BigRedJed]

Heh. Beano said "whack off."

[BigRedJed]

http://www.mytreelessons.com/photogallery/Over%20trimmed%20and%20overwaterd%20give%20shallow %20root%20ball.jpg

[NormanPride]

Eh, kick some dirt on it and it'll go away.

[MamaMia]

How big is the tree trunk?

[Boarder]

Haul in some dirt. Have GHP or PG come spread it. Meaning come spread out the dirt you ordered.

[BigRedJed]

While they're there, feel free to have GHP balance your checkbook, sort and file your credit card statements, clean your wife's jewelry, read over your proprietary business trade secrets or watch your kids. Seriously. The dude is clean.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Whatever you do, don't invite DC over.

He doesn't like trees.

And stuff.

[Newbomb Turk]

Yes.
Crappy Sycamore tree in my front yard - they are top rooters.
I had the damn thing chopped down and had a guy grind the roots away.

Problem solved.

[BigRedJed]

TREE MURDERER!!

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Pretty much every tree in the neighborhood is like this. I think it's a silver maple or sweet gum.

I forget which.

We had one of them taken out. I don't remember which one the tree guy said he took out.

[Sooner_Bob]

Anyone else have a bunch of tree roots above the surface in their yard?

I'm wondering if it's just my neighborhood or if it's all Norman. Man, they're horrible here. Is it the clay that causes them to go above ground or the dry weather lately, or both or neither?

And, for most trees, will it hurt them if I just whack off the roots that I can see? They annoy me.



When the heck did you move to Norman?

[BigRedJed]

Pretty much every tree in the neighborhood is like this. I think it's a silver maple or sweet gum.

I forget which.

We had one of them taken out. I don't remember which one the tree guy said he took out.
TREE MURDERER!!

[MamaMia]

Above ground roots cant be good for the foundation and the plumbing.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

When the heck did you move to Norman?

When I was 4, 18 and 35.

[Norm In Norman]

Way back when, we had a silver maple that had roots above the ground. The tree was awesome except for that. It was really fun to mow.

I say put dirt on it.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

I'm thinking I'm going to chop the roots and see what happens.

I mean, you can trip the heck out of limbs and stuff and it won't kill a tree. I figure, what are roots, but limbs below the ground? AND THESE AREN'T EVEN BELOW THE GROUND.

Therefore, they are limbs and as I've clearly demonstrated, cutting limbs won't kill a tree.

[StoopTroup]

Ummmm....

http://onlineathens.com/images/020905/14803_512.jpg

[Jimminy Crimson]

I'd bring in some dirt to put over the roots.

Chances are the above ground roots are some of the main roots, since they're big enough to poke above ground.

[Norm In Norman]

Dude, don't do that. it's nice having trees. My neighborhood doesn't have a tree over 6 years old and it SUCKS. I want a yard with a big tree in it. You are going to end up killing that tree.

[olevetonahill]

I'm thinking I'm going to chop the roots and see what happens.

I mean, you can trip the heck out of limbs and stuff and it won't kill a tree. I figure, what are roots, but limbs below the ground? AND THESE AREN'T EVEN BELOW THE GROUND.

Therefore, they are limbs and as I've clearly demonstrated, cutting limbs won't kill a tree.
Befor you go all Rambo on the tree . How about Pics of the tree and the roots . You will stll get smartazz answers but we might be able to help to .

[KABOOKIE]

Yeah. That's a good idea. Tree roots at the surface could be an indication of exceesive watering. Starve the tree of water and it'll force it to send it's roots deeper into the dirt to find water.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Ok hangon, I'm gonna go take pictures.

[proud gonzo]

is the grass thin around the base of the tree? if there's not much grass to keep the soil in place I bet it's just due to erosion. have some topsoil hauled in. It's really not THAT much trouble to deal with ;)

hacking at roots would probably not be a good idea though.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Ok, here's the roots. First three are from a tree in the back yard, maybe an elm or something. The one with those ball things that drop off. Sycamore? Who knows.

The rest are from the one in the front yard like a silver something or something.

http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-017.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-018.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-019.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-020.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-021.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-009.jpg
http://www.stuffforwork.com/fun/roots/2006-05-16-010.jpg

Looking at these, I just now realized how badly the lawn in my yard looks.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

is the grass thin around the base of the tree? if there's not much grass to keep the soil in place I bet it's just due to erosion. have some topsoil hauled in. It's really not THAT much trouble to deal with ;)

hacking at roots would probably not be a good idea though.

This is is just a nice way of saying, "I've seen your yard and the lawn sucks."

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Also ants.

[sooneron]

These pics can't be too good. It IS dark in Oklahoma, isn't it?

[sooneron]

Beano's neighbors have to be saying, "What the **** is that Houston butt wad doing out there?"

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

It doesn't help that I'm surrounded by 4 retired couples. the two houses across the street and the two houses next door. They all are obsessed with their lawns. I'm kinda like an inverse oasis. Sort of a mini desert in the middle of the garden of eden.

And you people really aren't giving me the advice I want to hear. I was so looking forward to just hacking away at these bad boys.

[olevetonahill]

It doesn't help that I'm surrounded by 4 retired couples. the two houses across the street and the two houses next door. They all are obsessed with their lawns. I'm kinda like an inverse oasis. Sort of a mini desert in the middle of the garden of eden.

And you people really aren't giving me the advice I want to hear. I was so looking forward to just hacking away at these bad boys.
After seeing the pics
Take those mothers OUT they are killing your grass :eek:

[GottaHavePride]

Aerate lawn, cover roots with dirt and re-seed.

Well, that's what I'd do if I had your yard. And a job, and stuff. ;)

[proud gonzo]

After seeing the pics
Take those mothers OUT they are killing your grass :eek:
NO! lack of grass makes dirt go bye bye! lack of roots makes tree go bye bye!


This is is just a nice way of saying, "I've seen your yard and the lawn sucks."
I don't remember suckage--I remember big tree.

balls fallin off a tree can be a few different kinds including sycamore and sweetgum:
http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sycamo.jpghttp://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sweetg.jpg

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

I don't think there's a lot of grass there. We bought the place from an old lady that was hurt or something. You can tell there wasn't a whole lot of work put into much of anything for a few years.

I guess moving in some dirt is the best option at this point.

[soonerbrat]

Anyone else have a bunch of tree roots above the surface in their yard?

I'm wondering if it's just my neighborhood or if it's all Norman. Man, they're horrible here. Is it the clay that causes them to go above ground or the dry weather lately, or both or neither?

And, for most trees, will it hurt them if I just whack off the roots that I can see? They annoy me.


i did at my old house. they had to re-bury my cable because it ruined my internet connection.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

NO! lack of grass makes dirt go bye bye! lack of roots makes tree go bye bye!


I don't remember suckage--I remember big tree.

balls fallin off a tree can be a few different kinds including sycamore and sweetgum:
http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sycamo.jpghttp://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sweetg.jpg

Sycamore. That big root across the back patio is sycamore.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Bring in some dirt and either seed with fescue (kind of late in the season to do it) or sod around the tree, again, fescue due to the shade factor.

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Thanks for your help.

Especially the two kids.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Impatiens do a lot better if you plant them, rather than leaving them in their container ;)

[olevetonahill]

Top soil and sod . Make sure you have drainage tho .
Hell Hire SAS to come fix it ;)
YWIA

[Shamrock]

Dozer the tree. Disc the ground.

Plant corn.

[VeeJay]

Lady Asshat has been dispatched.

[AMSooner]

Silver maples are the devil. They will ruin your foundation if they are too close to the house.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Silver maples are the devil. They will ruin your foundation if they are too close to the house.

Pretty much any tree can wreak havoc on your house/foundation if planted too close. :mack:

[BigRedJed]

http://f5.putfile.com/5/13613255647.jpg

[BlondeSoonerGirl]

THE PRICK ON SOONER RD!!!!!!!

[NormanPride]

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8935/1tcbeanokidrace4pf.jpg

[Lady Asshat]

Lady Asshat has been dispatched.


At least this nice fellow is trying to SAVE the tree. If he cuts it down, I’ll be sure to send him an anonymous nasty gram!!!

[Beano's Fourth Chin]

Wisenheimers.

[BudSooner]

Silver Maples are worse than the debil, we have one that is about a good 20ft behind the house and those roots are breaking up our backyard walkway(we didn't put it there..it was there when we moved in)and i'm gonna break it up..lay sod..put in some edging around the roots and just put down some mulch. TO HELL WITH WEADEATING AROUND THAT CRAP!
The tree out front is just as bad although i'm not sure of the type that it is, its main problem is destroying our sewer line. I'm about to cut it down and stumpgrind that bastard...it's almost dead anyway.

[Sooner_Bob]

When I was 4, 18 and 35.


Ok, thanks . . . it's all coming back to me now.


I always thought roots surfaced like that because there wasn't enough water down deep . . .

[proud gonzo]

it can be to get more air into the tree

[Sooner_Bob]

I hadn't heard that before pg . . . thanks.

I'd be happy if I could get grass to grow around the base of the big 'ol tree in our front yard.

[Newbomb Turk]

I'd be happy if I could get grass to grow around the base of the big 'ol tree in our front yard.

If you have Bermuda, you'll have trouble getting it to grow under a tree. That's another reason I cut my Sycamore tree down.

[GottaHavePride]

If you have Bermuda, you'll have trouble getting it to grow under a tree. That's another reason I cut my Sycamore tree down.

In that case, I'll be planting some big ol' trees. Anything that means I don't have to mow my lawn is awesome.

[IB4OU2]

In that case, I'll be planting some big ol' trees. Anything that means I don't have to mow my lawn is awesome.

Then you would love my front yard.......we gave up and the wife made it a garden. :D of course Iv'e got another acre or so to keep my mower occupied. :(

[sooneron]

I sucked at Botany. Hated it with a passion.

[TheHumanAlphabet]

Anyone else have a bunch of tree roots above the surface in their yard?

I'm wondering if it's just my neighborhood or if it's all Norman. Man, they're horrible here. Is it the clay that causes them to go above ground or the dry weather lately, or both or neither?

And, for most trees, will it hurt them if I just whack off the roots that I can see? They annoy me.

Too tired from jet lag to read the entire thread...

Roots on the surface are a symptom of watering only surfacely. In order to get the roots to go deep is to deep water. That usually means drilling holes (many) into the soil around the drip line (the edge of the tree limb canopy) filling these holes with rock and sand and watering to ensure that the water penetrates deeply. The holes typically would be an inch or two in diameter.

If you have surface roots, don't cut them off as they are probably the main feeders for the tree. It might be better to place a small layer of mulch around this area and plant it will flowers or ground cover. Use only a couple of inches of mulch, don't put a lot of soil or mulch over the roots or you will smother the roots and the tree could die...

Edit:

If it is a Sycamore - chop it down. Its a trashy tree.
If it is a Silver Maple - chop it down. Its a trashy tree.
If it is a Sweetgum - keep it. It has nice color and shade.

[TheHumanAlphabet]

balls fallin off a tree can be a few different kinds including sycamore and sweetgum:
http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sycamo.jpghttp://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4sweetg.jpg

Ahhh, the sweetgum. Loved the tree and the spiked balls. Used to throw them at each other as kids in Mississippi. We had a colorful name for the seed pods that was spoken without hesitation in the day by us kids, but is extremely offensive. It is amazing how "environment" can shape your perception and language without causing one to pause. I am sure adults heard us use the desciptive words, however, we were never admonished, we grew out of using the phrase...

[MamaMia]

I wish I could have destroyed the roots in my back yard when they were that small, but I wasnt the owner back then. The roots got so big that they started getting into my pipes and was about to ruining my foundation as well.

It cost me $5,000.00 to have my pipes dug up and redone, and I dont have a big house. We had to take down the fence. It was a big mess. I had to hire a company that works in the oil field to take my roots and trees out. A regular back hoe company tried but failed. The equipment was'nt big enough. The police had to block off two blocks in my neighborhood to bring in the machinery. Save yourself a nightmare in the future. Take it out now and plant yourself a nice Oklahoma Red Bud.