One of the most prominent characteristics of Virginia is the abundance of forestry we have. The sight of them throughout our state is enjoyable, but to the right eye, it can also be informative of issues that may be developing within our environment. For example, exposed roots are a significant sign of trouble for a tree and must be dealt with carefully if you want to maintain its health.
At Timber Works Tree Care, we employ arboreal experts with in-depth knowledge from years of experience in the tree care industry. We provide land clearing, stump grinding, and reliable tree removal services, dedicating ourselves to giving customers the safest, friendliest, and most affordable service in all of Northern Virginia.
Here is what you should know about exposed roots in your landscape:
What are Exposed Roots a Sign of?
As you may know, tree roots grow below the surface of the ground, and appear above it unless they are made under certain conditions. These conditions include:
- Rain, wind, or runoff eroding the soil. Trees that rest on hills or along other sloped surfaces are prone to showing some part of their roots due to severe weather, such as heavy rains and wind, to displace the soil surrounding them.
- Lack of space. Certain structures, such as buildings, sidewalks or streets, impede the growth of tree roots, as they rely on growing beneath the ground in order to get the most nutrients. Roots grow in a much wider area than we perceive. This often leads to them growing toward the structures we’ve built, and without any other direction to grow toward, reach up to the ground’s surface instead.
- The tree’s root zone was placed under stress. You may notice exposed roots on hiking or forest trails, due to them being higher areas of foot traffic than normal. With more people around, the higher the chances of the tree’s surrounding root zone of being trampled on, further packing down or wearing away the soil around it, eventually exposing its roots.
What are the Dangers of Exposed Roots?
Generally speaking, the presence of exposed roots indicates that a tree is vulnerable to damage, as well as becoming less effective at collecting the nutrients and water it needs in order to survive.
What to Do About Exposed Roots
Taking care of this issue is simple but requires some amount of effort and vigilance in order to maintain the health of the tree in your landscape. Firstly, avoid piling on more soil on top of the roots, as that will suffocate the fine feeder roots that seek to intake oxygen from the soil. Instead, spread mulch over the roots, as that will insulate them. The mulch will not be as densely packed either, making it easier for the roots to absorb moisture and oxygen.
A mound of mulch will also show pedestrians a clearer proximity of the root zone and will be less likely to walk all over it. The extra effort and attention comes from the need to replace the mulch, as it tends to decay with time.
Timber Works Tree Care in Northern VA: Get Fast and Safe Tree Removal Services
Exposed tree roots can lead to serious issues with your trees if left unattended, which is why it is important that you know the signs and solutions for their appearance in your landscape. At Timber Works Tree Care, we want to ensure the health of your landscape and the safety of your property by providing our knowledge and experience in tree care that we have built over a decade of service.
We offer land clearing, stump grinding, and efficient tree removal services, performing them as safely and effectively as possible using the latest equipment, all to ensure that our work leaves you satisfied and your landscape improved. Contact us at (540) 692-9606 to learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation.
