# Any arborists here? Root damage question~ **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 21, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965 "2011-12-21T17:26:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/1 "2011-12-21T17:26:43Z")
I’m planning on leveling an area of my property, and I have 2 possible spots picked out. But both places border trees and have very large roots at the surface because the trees are mature and a couple are huge. Off the top of my head I think they are oaks and hickories, and range from 2 ft in diameter to almost 4 ft. I don’t want to cut or kill the trees because I want the shade, plus two of the largest are actually on my neighbors property (dense woods so not their ornamental trees or anything, but still not mine and I don’t want to kill lovely old trees anyway). The leveling to be done would affect some (?most) of the roots on one side of the trees only, and would start approximately 6 to 8 feet away from the trunk at minimum. How much will this affect them? Will it kill the trees or make them more susceptible to fungal invasions? Is there a way to mitigate the damage? FWIW, the area to be leveled will be used as a riding ring, so it will be covered in a couple inches of sand, there will still be moisture and air available. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/2 "2011-12-22T19:35:13Z")
125+ views and no answers? Geeze, I thought you people knew EVerything! Ah well, guess I’ll try the local extension office, again, and see if someone there will talk to me. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/3 "2011-12-22T19:36:21Z")
You requested an arborist. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/4 "2011-12-22T19:40:43Z")
My .02 cents: Old trees are resilient. I’ve had in-ground pools built within 4-8 feet of old oaks, where sizable root systems took a hit. Not much in terms of stress damage to report. Generally, if you destroy roots, it’s advisable to have a pro crew cut back the crown of the tree. This eases the total, longer-term stress on the tree (cutting is a quick/short stress) and let’s the remaining roots service a crown that is more in scale with the remaining root system’s abilities. . ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/5 "2011-12-22T20:15:22Z")
True, I did say arborist. But folks here generally aren’t shy about putting in their 2 cents about anything, whether they are part of a particular profession or not. Anyway, thanks for your input, that’s good to know! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/6 "2011-12-22T21:48:41Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > My .02 cents: Old trees are resilient. I’ve had in-ground pools built within 4-8 feet of old oaks, where sizable root systems took a hit. Not much in terms of stress damage to report. > > Generally, if you destroy roots, it’s advisable to have a pro crew cut back the crown of the tree. This eases the total, longer-term stress on the tree (cutting is a quick/short stress) and let’s the remaining roots service a crown that is more in scale with the remaining root system’s abilities. > > . I’m not an arborist, but I have worked with a lot of trees. That is good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Medlo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hi\_Medlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Medlo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-arborists-here-root-damage-question/606965/7 "2011-12-22T21:55:48Z")
The surface roots on those trees are mostly for mechanical support. The tree should adapt well to losing them, especially if you cut back the crown some. You’ll give up a little security in wind storms and such.