I'm digging a trench about 1 foot deep for a fence. The trench at one
point is about 10 feet from a large sugar maple. The trunk is about 3
feet in diameter.

I'm seeing some large roots that are very close to the surface - maybe
only a few inches below the soil surface. These roots are 3 or 4
inches in diameter.

A year or two ago when I started the trench I had to cut one or two
large roots and I didn't see any branches die or leafs wilt and fall
off. The trench is now at the closest point to the tree (10 feet) and
I'm wondering if I can cut 3 more of these large roots. The soil they
are in is clay (hard as concrete) if it matters.

I can't believe that the roots for this tree are so close to the
surface. Do sugar maples have deeper roots as well as these shallow
ones?

(please post responses - this e-mail is bogus)