Tree roots above ground - Ask Extension
We have mature ash trees with exposed roots and have been told that you cannot cover with black dirt by one professional and by another that you can't...
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Tree roots above ground #874409
Asked June 24, 2024, 11:16 AM EDT
We have mature ash trees with exposed roots and have been told that you cannot cover with black dirt by one professional and by another that you can't do that because it would kill the tree, we would like clarification because the mowers scrape the roots every time they mow
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Denise,
Your ashes are happy with the roots showing above ground level. They should not be covered except by a very thin layer of soil or by wood mulch. Mulch would be better. It should not be piled near the tree trunk, that can lead to rot and other problems.
Covering the roots with a lot of soil can suffocate the tree. The most important tree roots are in the top foot or so of soil, and those roots need oxygen.
These pages have good advice:
https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/whitley/2023/05/tree-surface-roots-in-the-landscape.html
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/2024/05/28/how-to-deal-with-surface-tree-roots/
Hope this helps.
