Guides

Tree roots sprouting in the lawn can be frustrating. Small shoots may appear around an old stump, along surface roots, near a recently removed tree, or even several feet away from the trunk. You cut them down, mow over them, and they come right back.

Tree roots usually grow most when soil conditions are favorable: not too dry, not too wet, not too cold, and not too compacted. In many regions, roots can grow actively in spring and fall when soil moisture and temperature are moderate. In warmer climates, roots may continue growing during much of the year if soil conditions support them.

Tree roots can sometimes grow back after being cut, but the answer depends on the tree, the root, and the situation. Small roots may regrow more easily than large structural roots. Roots from a living tree may continue growing if the tree is healthy. Roots from a removed tree may eventually decline, but some species can send up sprouts from remaining roots or stumps.

Sometimes you can cut a small tree root without killing the tree. But cutting large roots, roots close to the trunk, or several roots at once can seriously harm the tree. It can also affect stability, especially during wind, heavy rain, or saturated soil.

Tree roots lifting patio pavers can create uneven surfaces, trip hazards, drainage problems, and frustrating repair decisions. The patio may look messy, chairs may wobble, water may collect in low spots, and individual pavers may rise or separate.

Tree roots lifting a driveway can create cracks, raised edges, uneven pavers, drainage problems, and daily frustration. It can also create a difficult decision: should you repair the driveway, cut the roots, remove the tree, or work around the root system?

Tree roots lifting a sidewalk can create an uneven surface, a trip hazard, drainage problems, and a difficult decision for homeowners. The sidewalk may need repair, but cutting the roots that lifted it can harm or destabilize the tree.

Exposed tree roots are common in many yards. Sometimes they are a normal part of a mature tree’s root system. Other times, they point to erosion, compacted soil, shallow rooting, drainage problems, mower damage, or a tree that no longer fits its location.