Treedweller wrote:
On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 16:05:05 GMT, figaro wrote:



Always remember that trees are living things. Their roots are very
important to them. Use caution and common sense when removing
roots. If you remove 30% of the roots, you will need to remove
30% of the branches or you risk killing the tree. Good luck.
Once again, this is a myth. The tree needs those branches to
produce energy to recover from the root damage. Never remove a
live tree branch without a good reason.

Meanwhile, removing 30% of roots or branches is stretching the
limits of what the tree can tolerate. Especially if the roots are
very large (say, 2" diam or larger, depending on trunk diam) or
very close to the trunk.

I reiterate, the solution is to add mulch on top of the roots.

Keith Babberney
ISA Certified Arborist

......but only a couple of inches or you risk smothering the roots.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8b
Sunset Zone 5
Not a certified anything