[fitzg2md]

hey everyone. Im working with a guy who would like to have his ~20 year old brick walkway redone. I would just rip it out and put in a new paver or stone walk but there is this very large tree that is causing me trouble. The tree must stay...very old. The existing walk runs maybe 10 feet from the trunk. A large root has grown under the walk and heaved it badly. Most of the area around the tree (about 15 foot radius) has alot of exposed roots due to the topsoil disappearing.

Ideally I would like to keep the walk in the same place as it is. Really, the only problem is that 1 big root. How do you guys deal with large roots like this? Im no expert, but I would imagine that cutting it will kill the tree (or maybe make it fall over!). Can the area be built up (not near the trunk)?

I really dont know how to tackle this without repositioning the walk about 30 feet away! Not to mention...that would make the walk look silly. Help! -MF

[cutntrim]

You could snap a pic, then ask a local horticulturalist about it, but I would put the ball in his court and explain it to him as you did to us. Let him decide. Then you've CYA.

[Lanelle]

Put the explanation in writing, then you are covered.

[Stonehenge]

Yup. Because he wants a walk and wants to leave his tree undistrurbed does not mean he can have both of those things. Sometimes the client has to make some hard choices.

But you're on the right track.

Good luck.

[PaverDrew]

Most tree companies in our area will send an arborist out to consult you for free, since it exposes them to new customers as well. You may find that the tree will do fine losing that root if cared for properly afterwards.... we commonly raise walks here to keep both walk and roots in place. I don't know if they would comply with the ADA, but the owners were happy with the outcome.

[Mark Oomkes]

I'll second the arborist opinion. Have them give you some advice on how the tree will do without that root.

In all actuality, you'll probably be stressing the tree more from all the activity of redoing the walk than by cutting one root.

[neversatisfiedj]

Maybe you can curve the walk far enough around the tree. ?

[fitzg2md]

I will have an aborist come and take a look. Seems like the best choice.

Since the yard needs to be topdressed badly (after correcting the issue of washout first), would building up the grade be a suitable option for the walk? How far above any established roots would you install the walk/base and feel ok about it? Or would you never do that. I just know that this tree will be choosen over a new walk and want to be prepared and give other (while not my first choice) options.

Curving the walk...maybe. Cutting the root...maybe. But if neither of these is possible, is there anything that can be done or is the customer kinda SOL? BTW...thanks for the advice everyone! -MF

[Dot Pecson]

What is the tree species? Is it otherwise health?

If a maple, for example, you very likely (although an on-site arborist inspection is a great idea) can prune the root. Use a saw or ax; do not say yank it out via backhoe. Then follow-up with deep-root fertilizing to encourage any root growth to go down.

If an oak, for another example, these trees (usually deeper-rooted) tolerate heavy pruning (root or branches) far worse. Then I would do as suggested and have a cya talk with the owner, preferably with an arborist's inspection in tow.

Dot
(retired County Arborist)