How To Deal With Tree Roots And Concrete

Tree roots will always overpower concrete

Some time ago, a friend of mine asked me, “Why do you walk on the grass? Sidewalks are for people to walk on.” I laughed and replied, “Lawns are for folks to walk on as well.”

The nature vs. concrete argument is not anything new. As much as we all want lush, long greenery, we live in a world filled with concrete building and spaces.

Trees, who have no say in the argument, are usually the primary victims of this battle. Read on to learn how to deal with tree roots and concrete.

Issues with Concrete Over Tree Roots

Concrete workers are not landscapers or arborists. Their knowledge is in setting concrete not maintaining trees. When a paver is at your house giving you a price on a patio, sidewalk, or driveway, this isn’t the person to ask how the concrete will affect your trees around the project.

Preferably, if you have big trees that you want to remain healthy and safe, you should contact an arborist first to let you know the best spot to put a concrete structure without harming the tree roots. Then you reach out to a concrete company. Some advanced planning can save you plenty of money in redoing concrete or tree removal service.

The Problem with Concrete and Root Pruning

Often, tree roots are cut or pruned to make way for concrete projects. This technique can be harmful to trees. Roots are what attach massive, tall trees to the earth. Pruning roots that are securing a tree cause the tree to be damaged by strong weather and high winds.

Also, roots absorb oxygen, nutrients, and water, oxygen, things that are vital to tree development and growth. If a good portion of the roots is pruned, that side of the tree will perish due to no nutrients and water.

Pruning roots lead to diseases and pests getting into the fresh cuts and infecting the tree. Root pruning is particularly bad for mature trees — young roots that are pruned to put in sidewalks, driveways, patios. Young roots can grow back while the roots of mature trees won’t, so be careful when you make these kinds of decisions.

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