Tree Root Damage

Figure 1, Photo by Bruce Hagen
Large roots on one side of this tree have been severed to stop their encroachment on the sidewalk. In doing so the tree is made unstable and the tree will suffer from reduced water and mineral supply, ultimately causing it to fail.

Figure 2, Photo by Bruce Hagen
Excavation around this tree was too aggressive. Many roots were damaged. If 30% or 40% of roots are removed the tree becomes unstable. Decay grows faster into big root cuts even more than into big limb cuts. Damaging or removing large roots is even more destructive than damaging large limbs.