Avoiding Exposed Roots

Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture

November 19, 1997

Cracked and raised pavement or bumps in the lawn caused by roots can be an annoying and sometimes hazardous elements in the urban landscape. Surface roots from trees can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most frequent cause is the selection and planting of shallow-rooted trees. To avoid problems with surface roots, avoid the following common, fast-growing species:

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Mulberry (Morus sp.)
Sycamore (Plantanus sp. )
Poplar (Populus sp.)
Sumac (Rhus sp.)
Siberian Elm (Ulmus sp.)

Other suggestions to help reduce surface root problems include:

• Plant only shrubs or ground covers in the planting strip between the sidewalk and the street. Plant large trees in the lawn where there will be sufficient room for root development. Before planting (especially in compacted soil), loosen the soil in an area at least five times the diameter of the root ball and about 12 inches deeper than the root ball.

• Make sure drainage is adequate before planting new trees. Water-logged soil encourages the development of shallow roots as roots require oxygen to live and grow.

• Use proper watering techniques. Overwatering can cause water-logged soil, especially in a heavy clay. Frequent, light watering provides moisture only in the top few inches of soil, encouraging root development at the surface. So water deeply and only when needed.

More gardening information is available in the Virginia Gardener Newsletter.

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