Will Cutting Tree Roots Kill the Tree?
Nip the problem without cutting ties completely
Cutting tree roots does not always result in the death of a tree.
Whether the trimming affects the tree depends on the severity of the cut, the age and health of the tree, and what season of growth the tree is in.
You can cut roots without causing harm to your tree by trimming less than ⅓ of small roots that are located away from the trunk with the proper tools.
If you’re uncomfortable cutting roots yourself, contact a tree removal expert near you.
A tree’s roots are crucial to its overall health, as the roots act as anchors that secure the tree against harsh conditions. In some cases, cutting tree roots can kill the tree, but not always. Our guide takes you through the factors that affect whether trimming tree roots is harmful to your tree and how to prevent worst-case scenarios.
Can I Cut Tree Roots Without Killing My Tree?
Although it’s a risky move, cutting tree roots doesn’t always lead to a tree’s death. In most cases, you can cut up to 25% of your tree’s roots without causing permanent damage. Whether or not your tree survives depends on a number of variables, including what stage of growth your tree is in and how deep you cut the roots.
Factors That Impact Post-Cut Root Health
Let’s dig into the factors that affect whether snipping tree roots will negatively impact its health.
Severity of Cut
Minor cuts to feeder roots, which are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients, won’t significantly impact your tree. In fact, it can usually grow feeder roots back if needed. However, severe cuts to large, structural tree roots can compromise your tree’s stability and potentially lead to death.
Tree Age and Health
Young, healthy trees are more likely to tolerate cuts to their roots without affecting their growth, as they usually grow back the roots they need and continue to thrive. Older trees that have been weakened by stress or tree disease are less likely to survive cuts to their roots as they are unable to grow new roots as easily.
Timing of Cut
Avoid cutting tree roots during spring or summer, which is when most trees are in active growth season. This period is the most stressful for trees and can limit their ability to recover from injury if you cut too deep into their root system. Consider cutting roots during dormant seasons like fall or winter when it’s less harmful to trees.
How to Prevent Killing Trees When Cutting Roots
Although consulting your local arborist or tree stump removal professional is your best bet, there are other measures you can take when cutting tree roots to prevent damage to the tree. Try these tactics when severing roots:
Avoid cutting large, structural roots and opt for trimming smaller roots
Steer clear of roots located within 3 to 5 times the trunk’s diameter
Make clean cuts with the proper tools for the type of roots you’re cutting
Refrain from cutting more than 25% of the tree’s roots at once
After trimming roots, water the tree and apply mulch around the base without touching the trunk
Call an arborist if you notice wilting leaves, yellowing or leaning in the tree
In extreme cases, cutting a tree’s roots can cause it to eventually fall if the roots that were trimmed affect the tree’s structure and stability. If you make severe cuts to roots that are more than 2 inches in diameter, you run the risk of affecting the tree’s water flow as well as its ability to withstand severe winds or storms that could cause it to fall.
You can use herbicides to prevent roots from growing without killing the tree itself, however they must be used with caution. Systemic herbicides are absorbed by the root and can kill off problematic roots. However, herbicides can sometimes negatively impact nearby plants, so the solution is best used sparingly.
