In Logan, Utah one of the major causes of tree failure is root damage. When a tree’s root system has been extensively damaged, the tree can become an unwanted safety hazard. Not only can it fall to the ground, it can fall onto your car, house or even a loved one. While it’s common to look up at a tree to assess its health, a significant amount of information about its structural integrity lies unseen beneath the ground.
Trees often fall over because its roots are no longer able to anchor its weight. In an urban landscape, roots can become damaged due to a large variety of reasons. Excavation, soil compaction, trenching, paving, environmental stress and fungal decay all play pivotal roles when it comes to root damage. While some homeowners can spot the signs of root problems, it often takes a certified arborist to diagnose a problem using specialized examination methods.
When it comes to preventative tree care, homeowners should watch for the following signs and symptoms that could indicate root problems. Common symptoms include:
- Visible dead roots
- Visible broken roots
- A decline in the tree canopy
- A tree with an increased lean
- Soil heaving around it’s base
- Mushrooms at the base of the tree
Healthy roots sustain live branches and leaves above the ground. When roots become damaged by disease, decay or loss, leaves and branches will begin to die as a tree’s energy reserves begin to dwindle.
Preventative Tree Care
Sometimes the signs of root damage are obvious due to utility trenches, repaving, grading or soil compaction within a tree’s root zone. To determine how much damage the root system has sustained, a certified arborist at Mountain West Arbor Care needs to access how much of the rooting area was affected.
It’s important to think of a tree as both a living organism and a structure. As a living organism, significant health problems can occur if up to 40% of it’s root system is damaged causing its structure to be seriously impaired. Conversely, a tree can be biologically healthy when it’s main roots are deteriorated.
Assessing a damaged root system can be difficult. A tree may have a restricted root system due to limited growth space due to sidewalks and buildings or because of impervious soils. When new sidewalks or curbs are installed or trenches are dug for utilities, essential roots can become damaged or even removed during construction. If main roots are damaged or missing, the risk of tree failure is greatly increased.
What Can You Do?
It’s important to pay attention to any signs or symptoms of root damage. Symptoms are often subtle or even undetectable to the untrained eye. If you suspect your tree may be suffering from root damaged, contact the certified arborists at Mountain West Arbor care. We can help diagnose root problems and answer any questions you may have. We will also provide you with a no cost, no obligation quote for any of our preventative tree care services.
