Severed Tree Root Damage
in Palos Verdes, CA

The potential for trees to fall over is increased when tree roots are severed or cut caused by digging and trenching. Tree roots play a critical role in anchoring a tree. Tree roots extend outward much more than down into the soil. If the major support roots are cut on one side of a tree, the tree may fall or blow over. Severing roots, even a couple of feet away from a tree, can severely damage its nutrient uptake as well as its stability system which may create a hazard. Trees with severed roots may lean or show symptoms on the side of the tree with root damage.

Construction may also be deadly to nearby trees. Tree decline may be the result of severed or damaged tree roots. If roots are severed, some buds and twigs may immediately die, weakening the tree. The weakened tree may begin to show decline symptoms such as lack of vigor and reduced growth. Other stress symptoms can include wilt or early fall color. Trees may survive and recover if the damage does not exceed twenty five percent of the total root zone.

Unless the damage is extreme, the trees may not die immediately and may take several years before the tree shows signs of root damage. With the delay in symptoms, one may not associate the loss of the tree with construction work.

The ability to repair construction damage to trees is limited. Therefore, the single most important step action one can take during construction is protecting the root zone around all of the trees. The fences should be placed as far out from the trunks of the trees as possible. As a general guideline, allow foot of space from the trunk for each inch of trunk diameter. The intent is not merely to protect the aboveground portion of the tree but also its root system. It's important to remember that the root systems extend much farther than the canopy of the tree.

Evergreen Arborists Consultants, Inc., provides tree root consulting services to homeowners, contractors and cities. We also provide expert witness and litigation support to attorneys and insurance professionals for tree failures and property damage cases as a result of severed and cut roots.