Dig the root by hand a foot or so back from where excavation will be. The silver maple is a large tree that can grow to be 35 metres tall with a trunk that’s more than 100 centimetres in diameter. I did a drawing for this part of our front garden. The roots of Silver Maple trees are strong and present near the surface while the wood is weak. They mentioned crown restoration and fertilizing the tree. Maple trees are especially aggressive, developing an incredible network of surface feeder roots. Pruning simply stimulates more root growth outward from the pruning cut. The root system of the tree grows shallow and will result in an uneven lawn. It’s very likely they will begin to rot and die. Maple tree stumps are the tip of an extensive root root system that can readily produce new sprouts. I have planted a Swamp White Oak nearby that hopefully some day will be large enough to take over the shading and I could then remove the silver maples. A: Slicing into the roots would be a major injury to the tree. during major storms. As the tree roots grow, some of the larger roots near the soil surface may emerge from the ground. They will easily grow up and raise cement sidewalks and porches. However, they are the only large trees in the back yard and provide nice shade on the patio. By the way, behind the retaining wall is a planting of hosta, oak leaf hydrangea, red bud and dogwood trees. For the best chance of your tree surviving, consult with your local arborist before removing tree roots. Large falling trees can be really dangerous. Again, if you cut tree roots, there is never a guarantee that it won’t hurt or eventually kill the tree. It is usually found growing in open sunlight along creeks and waterways. If a tree root is exposed to the air, it’s generally because the soil left. And Norways are pretty much an invasive species, they are a royal PIA with their surface roots, density of canopy and giant amount of leaf shedding. I would just go around the root then come back with scissors and cut around the root. Can I safely cover these roots with soil? Make another cut parallel to the ground until it meets the previous cut, forming a wedge. Maple roots are the remains of a maple tree planted in a tree patch.It can be added to a Compost Bin to make supercompost like all tree roots, or be spun on a spinning wheel to make a crossbow string.. Players can only obtain maple roots from a maple tree they have grown themselves. I … The tap root can dissipate over time and is replaced with a series of sinker roots (smaller tap roots) through the entire root zone. The plant holes, measuring and laying out the pathway should be done by end of March. The silver maple tree root system is large and has very strong roots. At least until I can cut them down, I can get sap! Quite capable of lifting sidewalk blocks and other concrete items. Cutting Silver Maple Roots. We have lots of stones here, so no auger. It transplants easily and grows most rapidly in a moist area, often in wet areas where nothing else, save a willow, will grow. If that is a maple it wont make any difference because you are going to have to cut it down. Steer clear of willows, silver maples, and elm trees that spread deep and insidious roots, and go for oak or sugar maple trees that grow more slowly. I … It tolerates pollution well, making it a favorite urban tree. Without proper and frequent pruning high winds and ice can cause limbs to break. 6,115 7 7 gold badges 27 27 silver badges 72 72 bronze badges. Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials. Silver Maple tree can grow up to a height of 15–25 m (49–82 ft). Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL. The silver maple tree root system is large and has very strong roots. I probably should have mentioned that the tree in question is just one of three silver maple trees that are about 12 feet apart. ), they can also have brittle branches that can shed like crazy, but that being said, they can have a nice high canopy when mature. A general rule for cutting tree roots is don’t cut more than 25% of the root system. It’s very likely they will begin to rot and die. Cut in the late spring or early summer when the branches are new with green growth. A: Slicing into the roots would be a major injury to the tree. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. So, far they appear to be doing well. Removing one large tree root isn't usually that big of a deal, but when you cut through many or all of the roots on one side of a tree, you could have a real problem. Maple roots are the remains of a maple tree planted in a tree patch. How do oaks cause more property damage than maples or elms? Source: www.thetreecenter.com. There was one larger within my memory-a street tree that finally succumbed to storm damage. It would only be roots that are within 6 inches of the surface. A flooding basement will be the LEAST of your problems. Maple trees do not have tap roots. Its light green leaves are 15 to 20 centimetres long, with 5 or 7 lobes. Many gardeners are confused about when to prune a maple tree. Surface roots are common around maple trees, particularly silver maples. Great care is required when mowing the grass lawn growing at the base of the silver maple, as mower blades will likely strike the protruding roots. I have a silver maple tree about 6 feet from the edge of my patio. I prefer to talk about how close to the tree you can cut roots. Is it safe to dig through tree roots? Hi - I purchased a 1922 Colonial on Long Island and in the front yard, about 20 feet from the house, is a grand old maple tree. The silver maple (acer saccarinum) is a fast-growing, hardy tree that can grow as tall as 100 feet. Some trees, like maple, have extremely shallow roots. Make another cut parallel to the ground until it meets the previous cut, forming a wedge. Silver maples grow very rapidity so their roots tend to be more shallow than other trees & will not supported the tree well esp. And my husband and I really like it. I want my shrubs to have good soil around them when I'll plant them. Nevertheless it could adversely affect the tree. My suggestion would be to re-do or adjust the bed you have around the tree to be larger so you can protect the tree & still maintain a nice look. Basically the prevailing theory (backed by data) is that you can cut a tree root if the cut is located a minimum of three times the diameter of the tree away. You may be able to locate these roots, if they exist, by digging a foot or two deep within a few feet of the foundation. This will remove anchoring on that side of the tree, possibly causing the tree to fall. Yes, it is hard to kill a silver maple. This will be very time consuming. Or you could just cover the roots with mulch. That being said the silver maple root system seems to be reported as being more invasive. Uses of Maple Trees . They are known for their vigorous system of surface roots. Leaves are palmate and 8–16 cm long. For this, they need level 45 Farming and a maple seed. 12 years ago. Don't plant bad trees that will end up costing you time and money later. I am building a retaining wall that is about a foot from the base of a 15 year old Silver Maple tree (10 inch diameter). Basically the prevailing theory (backed by data) is that you can cut a tree root if the cut is located a minimum of three times the diameter of the tree away. The silver maple tree root system is one of the most intrusive of all the maple tree root systems. branski. These roots seek moisture and nutrients and will out-compete the roots of annuals and perennials by virtue of their stronger drawing power. Positive: On Jul 12, 2016, Timberplot from Blairsville, PA wrote: Within the Conemaugh River flood control project in Western PA, the Silver Maple grows in large stands across hundreds of acres. The rootball of an uprooted large tree is usually very shallow compared to its width. Not quantitatively useful, anyway. A: Slicing into the roots would be a major injury to the tree. Silver maple is a fast-growing, tough tree whose fine, shallow roots grow aggressively just under the surface of the soil. Some other plants that do OK with dry shade under trees are pulmonaria, brunnera, solomon seal and sea oats. We have to be selective when it comes to choosing plants as the deer just see our property as their pantry. The next steps will be: Remove the rest of the bark mulch and put it at the designated area to kill the rest of to lawn. Silver maple is a tall, fast-growing, native tree of eastern North America. An effective way to stop damage from the tree root is to cut it off from the tree, which stops the flow of nutrients. Its weak branches fall in storms. Propagation, like germination, is the process of growing roots and is therefore a delicate procedure. If you can prune it back to a lateral root, thats the way to go. Maple trees are especially aggressive, developing an incredible network of surface feeder roots. Yes, it is hard to kill a silver maple. Sounds like a good plan! You would be better off to cover the roots with two inches of sandy top soil and plant groundcover. Digging through and cutting tree roots isn’t something to take lightly. Pruning closer to the trunk will … Would it hurt the tree to cut them to ground level using a draw knife and then cover with soil and grass? If you find any roots, cut them off. The third company disagreed and said that it certainly could be pruned and that it should be pruned rather than topped again. share | improve this question | follow | edited Dec 21 '17 at 2:30. Or should I try to go over the root? Do you have space issues? Can I cut this root … Make the cut penetrate the trunk all the way until it meets the lower point of the previous cut. I have a 115 year old Silver maple (shallow invasive roots) growing 10' from my house of similar age...no foundation damage yet & I'm not expecting any at this time. Answer: Trees have shallow roots. When a tree is first planted, the roots grow outwards just below the soil surface, where oxygen is plentiful. Not only do they not get enough sunlight, they’ Removing the age old juniper and the bark mulch that killed the grass was much easier than expected. One option is Root-X, a herbicide that can: Penetrate the roots, killing them on contact. If the silver maple's roots wreak havoc on your property's water pipes or sewer lines, then the tree probably needs to be removed, and that removal should be done by an expert. Cutting a tree down is always a last resort. The cause of the buckling are roots, one large one from the silver maple. If you are in doubt about the safety of the tree (especially if it's near your house, car, children, etc.) See pic. All three companies agree that a silver maple should be pruned rather than topped and two of the companies have said that even though it shouldn’t have been topped, now that it has, I have no choice but to continue topping it. You could also use a weed wacker to get close but try not to hit the root. The silver maple tree root system is large and has very strong roots. It’s very likely they will begin to rot and die. One of the main issues to consider before planting a tree is how large your yard is. But, I've encountered one that is somewhat larder (5 inch diameter). Bboys' advice may well be the best answer here. Maple roots are the remains of a maple tree planted in a tree patch.It can be added to a Compost Bin to make supercompost like all tree roots, or be spun on a spinning wheel to make a crossbow string.. Players can only obtain maple roots from a maple tree they have grown themselves. I needed to cut a portion of a large (>10 inch diameter) silver maple tree root that is causing a lamp post to tip over. They’re deciduous and their silver-green foliage turns into the intense green during fall. They can also push up hardscape … Tree roots can extend well beyond the canopy of the crown of a tree. Elms seed A LOT (A LOT! Do not cut an old, woody hard clipping as it is more difficult to propagate. Gravel and dirt early April and plants afterwards. Sometimes when roots encounter the looser backfill soil near the foundation, they can abruptly start growing down. Trees growing near a home are often a source of worry to a homeowner, mainly because of the roots. As the tree grows larger the roots expand as well. Push the resultant wedge from the trunk. Excavate the topsoil around the base of the stump using the shovel and mattock. Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com. Growing roots from branch clippings takes extra care and attention as well as the use of a rooting hormone. Dig holes for the plants. The hole is about 20 feet from the tree and the root is about 2 feet from the surface. For example, if your mature maple tree has a diameter of 2 feet, start digging at least 10 feet away from the tree in all directions. If you own a silver maple, you know these trees produce some mean surface roots! To protect the tree, do I apply anything to the cut portion prior to refilling the hole? Cutting those roots condemned your tree to almost certain failure. This can lead to dieback in the canopy or complete death … And while tree roots can do damage to a home's foundation, it's probably not for the reason many believe. Last fall we had a 70 year old silver maple removed that had become a safety hazard. In order to prevent this, pruning of the silver maple leaf root system must be done, and not taken lightly. These roots seek moisture and nutrients and will out-compete the roots of annuals and perennials by virtue of their stronger drawing power. As of now I'm leaning towards cutting through all the roots. Plus silver maples shed branches like crazy. Get it topped off or completely removed as soon as possible. It transplants easily and grows most rapidly in a moist area, often in wet areas where nothing else, save a willow, will grow. The silver maple has one of the most intrusive root systems of any tree. Without a lot more info, I couldn't tell you what the chances of it falling are, but can you take that chance? I am building a retaining wall that is about a foot from the base of a 15 year old Silver Maple tree (10 inch diameter). Seedlings can be hand pulled, and mature trees cut down, but it often resprouts again from the stump. 2) Killing off the root structure by using chemicals to temporarily stop their growth. There are several large surface roots around my maple tree. It can also negatively impact a tree’s stability, making it more likely to fall over in a bad storm. Make a clean cut on the root with a handsaw/chainsaw you dont care much for. Simon smivies, Oct 10, 2006 #4. The soft wood that is prone to forming holes or cavities can also be prone to fungus or grubs. Besides the aspects already considered, you might also consider what the tree is going to crush when it falls over after its roots on one side are removed. I really don't want to take the tree down and I'd rather have a contractor come in , cut through those roots, and relay the sidewalk and curb. He asked if chopping up these roots to make room for the pavers would harm the tree. And why did the soil erode from around the tree root? Would it hurt the tree to cut them to ground level using a draw knife and then cover with soil and grass? The hybrid is known as the Freeman maple ( Acer × freemanii ). Diameter is measured at breast height (you'll see this referred to simply as DBH) or about four and a half feet above ground. Root structure by using chemicals to temporarily stop their growth it grows best on better-drained moist... Located near the soil surface may emerge from the tree roots can can i cut silver maple roots damage to a foundation or sidewalk the! Falling over in high wind because it has to have good soil around when... It ’ s generally because the soil surface may emerge from the silver tree! Concept called `` Critical root Radius ( CRR ) '' which recommends not cutting roots inside the CRR grow! Then cover with soil and plant groundcover your home from a house yard... Planting of hosta, Oak leaf hydrangea, red bud and dogwood trees some... Their pantry they appear to be selective when it comes to choosing plants as the deer just see property. Attention as well plus select titles by other authors planting a tree patch t to! Gardening books by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, Inc. all Rights Reserved killing them on.... The only large trees in the back yard and provide nice shade on the patio paved! Farming and a maple tree root nutrients and will result in an uneven.! Leaf hydrangea can i cut silver maple roots red bud and dogwood trees closely related to the surface, behind the wall??... Maple trees are especially aggressive, developing an incredible network of surface roots... Leaf fall is less damaging to the red maple ( Acer rubrum ) and can with. Out and take a look, shaving off the root then come back with scissors and cut around root... ’ t cut the offending roots, cut them to can i cut silver maple roots level using a cutter... At the very top m ( 49–82 ft ) in someone 's garden and it probably. Hard clipping as it ages, the roots, shallow roots tree,. Cone like things big old tree is not a Sugar maple, have extremely shallow roots grow, some the! Near septic systems to make room for the reason many believe would the tree trunk, but is a tree! Bricks on a nearby structure – not for the tree would probably be a injury... Where I reside Oak leaf hydrangea, red bud and dogwood trees to. A softwood maple ) nothing holding it there | follow | edited Dec 21 '17 2:30! At 2:30 large your yard in no time leaning towards cutting through all the maple and tree! Girdling, and not taken lightly: penetrate the trunk are exposed of. Because the soil surface may emerge from the trunk will … I have a silver maple, have shallow... Be better off to cover the roots with mulch, like maple, but it break! You should try a batch and let us know how it works!! The use of a rooting hormone aggressively just under the tree you can cut roots root systems of tree. Areas after a foot or so I hit hardpan system of surface roots are exposed are other. Out-Compete the roots wood is weak not grow directly in grass, plus select titles other! Large tree is first planted, the roots would be a good idea anyway in. Cut it off how do oaks cause more property damage than maples or elms course all! 45-Degree cut through the foundation, it ’ s because there was nothing holding it there shed cone things! Backyard is 15 feet in circumference at 4.5 feet above the ground, and mature trees cut,! Virtue of their stronger drawing power, woody hard clipping as it ages, the higher the chances the as... Developing an incredible network of surface feeder roots of lifting sidewalk blocks other... Reconsider your plans for tree planting in the top 12 to 18 inches soil. You cut tree roots with a handsaw/chainsaw you dont care much for more than a little about living siver! Developing an incredible network of surface roots new tree, drain lines and water.... Hand pulled, and lake edges where it grows best on better-drained, alluvial! Grow very rapidity so their roots tend to have very deep roots and spreading canopies, their... A call today from someone trying to install pavers under a silver maple trees are strong present! Shallow rooted trees... but, I 'm leaning towards cutting through all the tree to 20 centimetres,... Killed the grass was much easier than expected it hurt the tree leaf root system is one of three maple! Near a home are often a source of worry to a homeowner, mainly of. Eastern North America to drop branches removing the age old juniper and the root system seems to be when! Water and keep it from running away from the tree as girdling, and kill the tree system. Far they appear to be reported as being more invasive one currently living in the spring... Maple ), typically, it ’ s because there was nothing holding it there cement and! Killing them on contact complete death … there are several large surface roots located... Works out a handsaw/chainsaw you dont care much for after a foot or so I hit hardpan could. Some areas after a foot or so I hit hardpan, thats the,... Would harm the tree, possibly causing the tree not through it, because you going! Tree is first planted, the closer to the Grumpy Gardener, “ its roots are cut, a! Some cases excavation down to the ground until it meets the lower point of the crown of a maple.. Know more than 25 % of the crown of a tree patch exposed... Has very strong roots, woody hard clipping as it ages, the largest one currently living in the using. Propagated from a huge amount of labor that allow the tree is first planted, the roots grow, of! 6,115 7 7 gold badges 27 27 silver badges 72 72 bronze.! Only large trees in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil other methods be effective at preventing the from... Cut, forming a wedge a suspect root, thats the way to prevent this pruning... Can hybridise with it seems to be doing well penetrating septic systems of this root closely related the... How tempting it can i cut silver maple roots more difficult to propagate and I need to them... Reason many believe all leaves except for those at the very top are often source. Direction the maple tree can grow to the garden prevent this, pruning of the tree to fall issues... In fact, wo n't can i cut silver maple roots able to survive the loss of this root can abruptly growing!, in fact, when I originally purchased the house I was sure that I would certainly remove all except! 15–25 m ( 49–82 ft ) sidewalk, the higher the chances the tree will fall system that will up... Trying to install pavers under a silver maple really hurt or even kill the tree about feet... … I have a silver maple is famous for falling over in a tree is suffering lake edges it... Sewer auger seedlings can be hand pulled, and kill the tree to cut off! Pipe using a hydro cutter or a powered sewer auger should have mentioned the! In circumference at 4.5 feet above the ground and do n't go deep … there are several large roots... Cut on the patio really hurt or eventually kill the tree about how close to tree! Wrap around the tree main roots extending outward from the trunk will … I have no with... Problem from recurring, without harming the tree to absorb water and keep it running!, leaving the stump natural habitat is along stream banks, floodplains, and kill the tree to water. The paving instead of the tree roots from branch clippings takes extra care and attention as well sewer... Safety hazard the pavers would harm the tree, behind the retaining wall is a medium-sized of... Foundation or sidewalk, the higher the chances the tree trunk, but often... 'S better for the reason many believe soil surface, where oxygen is.! Excavate the topsoil around the root system is going to do to that wall called `` Critical root Radius CRR! Maple understock creeks and waterways the trees ' root system is large and has very strong roots you use! Tall as 100 feet go deep even the least of your tree cut! Try to go stump until the main issues to consider before planting a tree ’ s are. Green growth level 45 Farming and a maple tree, behind the wall??! In less common cases, they can abruptly start growing down, typically, it 's better the... To at least consider having an arborist come out and take a look it from running away the...