07/23/2026
Most people imagine a tree’s roots growing straight down into the ground. That picture is one of the reasons healthy trees can be damaged without anyone realizing it.
For many landscape trees, much of the active root system grows outward and remains surprisingly close to the surface, often within the top 6 to 18 inches of soil. These shallow roots absorb water, nutrients, and oxygen while helping support the tree above them.
That means an area that looks like ordinary lawn may actually be an essential part of the tree’s structure.
Digging a trench, installing a patio, changing the grade, parking heavy equipment, or repeatedly driving across the soil can cut roots or compact the ground around them. Compacted soil contains less space for air and water, making it harder for the roots to function normally.
The difficult part is that root damage does not always become visible immediately.
A tree may continue looking healthy for months or even years before the canopy begins to thin, branches start dying back, leaves become smaller, or the tree struggles during heat, drought, heavy rain, or strong winds. By the time the symptoms appear above ground, the original damage may already be difficult to reverse.
A few ways to protect the root system include:
• Keeping vehicles and heavy equipment away from the area beneath the canopy
• Avoiding trenches or deep digging near mature trees
• Planning patios, driveways, and construction with the root zone in mind
• Not piling excessive soil or mulch around the trunk
• Watching for changes in the canopy after nearby construction or landscaping
The tree does not end where the trunk meets the ground. Some of its most important structures may be only inches below your feet.
Before starting a project near a mature tree, take a moment to consider what you cannot see. Protecting the roots today may protect the entire tree for years to come.
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