Digging up tree roots

Video: How to Remove Tree Stumps | Ask This Old House

Content

To step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the right roots
Part 2 of 3: Digging up the roots
Part 3 of 3: Cutting and removing the roots
Necessities
Tips
Warnings

Tree roots can sometimes look ugly in a garden, which makes us want to dig them up. They can also become dangerous at times, such as when a tree grows too close to a home's foundation or damages underground pipes. Digging up tree roots, however, is not as simple as just grabbing a shovel and digging a hole. Digging up too many roots, or the wrong ones, can kill the tree, which may require you to remove the entire tree. Fortunately, you can safely dig up the roots of a tree without damaging the tree if you follow the right procedures, take the right precautions, and use the right techniques.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Choosing the right roots

Trace the root you want to remove back to the tree. Cutting the root too close to the tree can create structural instability, which can cause the tree to fall. Measure the diameter of the tree trunk and multiply that number by 8. This number is the minimum distance from the tree at which you can cut the root.
- For example, if your tree is 60 cm in diameter, you should not cut the root closer than 4.8 meters from the tree.
Avoid the largest roots. Larger roots are structural roots and are important to keep the tree in place. These roots start at the base of the tree and spread out. Do not cut larger roots closer than 6-8 inches from the trunk for every inch of diameter the tree is. You can measure the diameter of the tree by wrapping a tape measure around the trunk at chest height.
- For example, a tree that is 40 cm in diameter should not be cut closer than 2.5-4.8 meters from the trunk.
Do not remove more than 20% of the tree roots. If you remove a lot of roots, you have to wait up to 3 years before removing more roots. Removing more than 20% of the tree's roots seriously harms the tree and could kill it. If you plan to remove a large portion of a tree's roots, consider removing the tree completely.
Consult with an arborist if you are unsure of your case. If you are not confident enough to remove the roots from a tree yourself, you should seek professional advice before getting started. Tree surgeons who are affiliated with a company sometimes offer a tree pruning service for a fee. If you prefer to do it yourself, ask if a tree surgeon can come by for a consultation.
- Tree surgeons have the necessary equipment and knowledge to safely remove tree roots for you.

Part 2 of 3: Digging up the roots

Dig a hole in the area where you want to remove the roots. Measure a safe distance from your tree before you start digging. If the roots you want to remove are underground, expose them with a shovel. Using a shovel or spade, dig a hole around the tree where you want to remove the roots. Do your best not to agitate or damage the tree's roots while doing this.
Draw a line where you want to remove the root. Once you find the root you want to remove, use a spray can, colored lime, or a thick marker to mark where you want to cut the root. Marking the root will help you cut in the right spot and prevent cutting the root too close to the tree. Just mark the spot with a line that indicates where you will cut.
Dig around the root with a spade. Dig around the root with a smaller spade, making sure to dig under the root as well. Leave space around the root to make it easier to cut. Fully expose the area where you will be cutting with your shovel and give yourself plenty of room to cut.

Part 3 of 3: Cutting and removing the roots

Cut the root through the marking. For smaller roots, such as those less than an inch in diameter, you can use regular garden shears or hand shears to cut the root. If you need to cut a larger root, you will need special tools - a carrot saw or a mechanical jigsaw. You can buy these saws at DIY stores and garden centers, or on the Internet.
- In some stores you can rent a jigsaw per day.
Grab the end and pull the root towards you. Grab the loose end of the root and pull it towards you until it comes out of the ground. If the root is deep in the ground, you may need to dig out more soil around the root. Once you are done, discard the root and move on to the other roots you will be removing.
Install a barrier. To prevent the root from growing back, create a barrier in the soil before filling the hole again. Use a strong plastic root barrier and place it 75cm below the surface of the earth.
- You can purchase a plastic root barrier at most garden centers.
Fill the hole. Fill the hole you dug with store-bought mulch or fertilizer. You can also fill the hole with grass seeds or sod if you want grass in that area. Take the cut roots and throw them away.
Keep an eye on the tree for the next few days. View the tree daily and evaluate its health. If branches start to die and fall off, it could indicate that there is too much damage to the roots and that your tree is dying. This is dangerous as it can cause your tree to fall. If this is the case, you will have to remove the entire tree.
- If you notice that the tree is dying, it is best to call a tree surgeon or gardening company as soon as possible. They can better evaluate whether your tree should be removed and what steps you can take.