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I don't see this question out here specifically asking about trimming only the top part of a tree root that is protruding higher than the lawn surface.

35 year old silver maple, with one or two lawn roots coming up in lawn.

Can I trim the roots flush with the lawn surface using a reciprocating saw with a nice clean cut? I would not do this in the heat of summer. Will it heal?

If not, how is this any different than nicking it with the mower blade?

Evil Elf
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    Possible duplicate of [Will shaving the top of a Red Maple's roots hurt the tree?](http://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/27490/will-shaving-the-top-of-a-red-maples-roots-hurt-the-tree) – kevinskio Sep 13 '16 at 16:44
  • I don't see the answered question coming with many details; previous results, studies, etc. Possible type of damage, extent would be nice to see. – Evil Elf Sep 13 '16 at 16:54
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    By the way, all trees should have a 'tree ring, circle' at least 1/3 the diameter of the canopy. There should be no grass whatsoever growing beneath and directly around that trunk. No machines to remove, perhaps a shovel if you are brutally careful. Trees without these circles in a lawn look weird, and are very susceptible to damage from mowers and weed wackers. Sounds like an established tree and you should understand how valuable that tree is and that replacing it is impossible without waiting a decade or two! – stormy Sep 13 '16 at 20:10

2 Answers2

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Evil Elf asked in a comment about studies of what does happen to trees when root work is done. A survey of web links shows that root pruning is commonly given as good advice. Academic studies of the results are scarcer.

Here is one city that trims roots down on request but notes that "wounds can create an entry way for harmful insects and diseases".

The Purdue Extension and the Georgia Forestry Commission indicates that root trimming or shaving is not a good idea but doesn't quote sources.

The most detailed study points out that some trees can take drastic root pruning and others cannot leading to the "It depends" answer.

Here are some factors that affect whether a tree can tolerate root work:

  • soil moisture levels: Dry soils do not encourage root regrowth
  • soil temperatures: cool or cold in temperate climates inhibit new root growth
  • age of the tree: younger specimens tolerate change better
  • species: apples, magnolias and many tropicals tolerate root change. Oaks in the fall do not. From personal experience Birches do not tolerate any changes in their roots.

These species do not appear to tolerate root pruning or trimming in California as it can lead to them falling over

  • Acacia melanoxylon (black acacia)
  • Schinus molle (California pepper)
  • Fraxinus velutina "Modesto" (Modesto ash)
  • Ulmus sp
  • Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)

Those safe to root prune include:

  • Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor tree),
  • Ulmus americana (American elm),
  • Ulmus pumila (Siberian elm),
  • Populus sp. (poplars),
  • Liquidambar styriciflua (sweet gum)
  • Platanus acerifolia (London plane).
kevinskio
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This question here is similar - the answer is the same, ergo, no, you cannot shave or cut off any root material without harm to the tree, and nicking the root with a mower or anything else isn't good either.

Will shaving the top of a Red Maple's roots hurt the tree?

Community
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Bamboo
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    Those big roots are the 'arm' of the 'fingers'...or the 'leg' of the 'toes'...lame analogy...but if you ruin that branch you'll kill the roots branching out attached to that 'trunk root'...and disease is available in the soils, nick the outside protective skin and the cambium (vascular system) is right beneath that skin just like the trunk of the tree and its woody branches. – stormy Sep 13 '16 at 20:04