Tree First Aid: Saving Trees With Damaged Roots
Tree roots are essential for the growth and stability of your trees, so when they become damaged and diseased, you have a huge issue to deal with. Tree root damage can lead to the falling of trees, as well as damage to the entire landscape and any neighbouring properties which is why this is such a major concern for landowners.
While there are various causes for tree root damage, including construction and soil compaction, the effects are often the same. Your landscape may become dangerous or suffer damage if you allow the root issues to get worse.
Understanding the cause of tree root damage and what this can do to your landscape is only the first step in managing the issue. It is possible to save trees that are dealing with damaged roots, as long as you catch the issue early on.
In this post, Kneebone Trees will share the best methods to treat tree root damage and how you can save affected trees.
Be Aware: Signs Of Root Damage
To ensure you can save your tree with damaged roots, you need to be able to catch the issue in its early stages. This means understanding the early signs of root damage and what this will do to your tree.
Pay attention to your trees and perform regular tree inspections so you can recognise signs such as:
- Wilting leaves or leaf drop
- Dead branches
- Leaning trunk or instability
- Slowed growth
- Yellowing or browning leaves
With regular tree surveys, you will notice any changes in your trees and be able to identify root damage or any other tree diseases early on in the process. The quicker you catch issues like this, the better the chances of recovery.
Assessing The Damaged Roots
Once you have recognised the signs of tree root damage, it is time to determine the extent of the damage before you can move on to treatment. Finding out the extent of the damage and where it is located will help you find the right treatment plan for your tree, as well as determine whether a full recovery is possible.
There are three main questions you need to answer in this process:
1) Is The Main Root Damaged?
The main roots of the tree, also known as the structural or anchor roots, are the large roots that grow directly underneath the trunk. These are the roots that hold the tree upright and are the foundation for the tree’s stability.
If one or more of these have been damaged, especially close to the trunk, the tree’s stability will be compromised, and this could lead to an eventual collapse. When assessing the roots, you may notice other signs of tree root damage, such as leaning or looseness in the base of the tree.
Trees with severely damaged roots are more likely to collapse in windy conditions and will need professional attention to ensure they are safe.
2) How Much Of The Root System Is Damaged?
To determine the extent of the root damage, you need to take into consideration all forms of damage within your tree. Even minor damage can be part of the wider picture, as tree roots can spread far.
The likelihood of a complete recovery varies based on the percentage of roots damaged. As a general rule:
- Less Than 25%: The tree has a good chance of survival with the right care
- 25% to 50%: This percentage of damage will cause stress to the tree, but treatment may still be manageable, especially in young or resilient trees
- More Than 50%: Professional support is needed to increase the chances of survival, as it is unlikely to recover without specific and ongoing care at this stage
3) Is The Tree Showing Signs Of Stress?
While root damage occurs underground, trees typically show signs above ground. The extent of these symptoms can determine how severe the root damage is and whether the tree is under stress. Look for an elevation of the symptoms above, such as:
- Sudden leaf wilting or discolouration
- Premature leaf drop, especially out of season
- Sparse canopy and dieback of branches, especially at the top of the tree
- Leaning, cracking and loosening of the soil around the base
Act Fast: Immediate Treatment For Damaged Roots
If you notice any of the above signs or have recognised that your tree is struggling with damaged roots, there are some treatments you can perform immediately to relieve the stress.
These quick interventions can help stabilise the tree and reduce the extent of the root damage:
- Water The Tree: You must water the tree deeply and consistently when it is dealing with damaged roots, especially during dry seasons, as this prevents the soil from cracking more and loose roots
- Mulch Around The Base: Mulch can be a great way to keep soil in prime condition. Avoid touching the base when applying mulch, as this can cause more damage to the tree, but ensure an even coverage of the soil for better retention and moisture
- Avoid Fertilising: When dealing with damaged roots, you need to focus on the recovery of the tree rather than the growth, which is why fertilising needs to take a back seat for now
- Prune Lightly: Light pruning, such as removing some damaged or dead branches, can help reduce stress on the tree so it has more energy to recover. However, ensure you avoid over-pruning or excessive cutting, as this will have adverse effects
Your Long-Term Treatment Plan For Tree Root Damage
Caring for trees with root damage is not a one-time thing, as your care needs to be consistent and ongoing to avoid further damage. To avoid a complete collapse of your tree, ensure you are performing the following regularly:
- Aerating the Soil: This allows for a deeper penetration of moisture and nutrients from mulch and is especially important in cases where compaction is an issue
- Support the Tree: Prevent the tree from leaning or collapsing by using stakes, but avoid using these as a permanent solution. This should just be used while the tree recovers and regains strength
- Avoid Further Disturbance: Ensure there are clear signs around the tree and mark the damaged zone carefully to prevent further disturbance
- Monitor For Pests and Weeds: When your tree is vulnerable, it is more susceptible to damage from pests and weeds, so perform regular inspections and treat these issues as soon as possible
When To Call An Arborist: Kneebone Trees To The Rescue
There are some ways you can care for a tree with damaged roots independently, but in most cases, professional support will be needed to ensure recovery.
Kneebone Trees is a leading arboricultural company, serving South Devon and the surrounding areas. Our experts are professional and fully experienced in a range of tree issues and can provide the treatment needed to care for your trees.
You may be able to provide some initial care to trees with damaged roots, but call us to help with:
- Large trees, especially those near buildings and properties
- Major structural root damage
- Signs of rot or instability in the tree
- Leaning trees or root plate lifting
We can provide the specific care and treatment needed for tree root damage, as well as a range of additional services, including emergency tree care. Our professionals can offer regular tree surveys to assess for signs of damage or disease, highlighting the issues early on for better recovery.
It is a good idea to work with a professional arborist like those on our team when dealing with any extent of tree root damage, because this can be a serious issue. It is for your peace of mind and the safety of the landscape that you work with our team for your damaged roots and related issues.
How To Prevent Future Damaged Roots
The best treatment for damaged roots is prevention. You can save a lot of time and effort by avoiding the issue altogether by providing the proper care to your trees through the following methods:
- Know The Critical Root Zone: Being able to identify where the majority of the root system is located makes it easier for you to assess the condition and recognise early signs of damage. In most trees, the CRZ is roughly 1.5 times the size of the canopy.
- Use Protective Fencing: Install protective fencing or barriers around your tree’s canopy during construction or landscaping projects to avoid disturbance and keep the site clear
- Perform Regular Tree Surveys: Whether you visually assess the trees yourself or hire professionals to perform a more in-depth inspection, make sure you are surveying the trees regularly so you can be aware of their condition and notice the first signs of damage
Conclusion
Damaged roots can be extremely detrimental to the health of your trees and overall landscape. This can be a serious issue for landowners, but it does not mean the complete end of your trees. It is possible to save trees with damaged roots with the right care, as long as you are vigilant and consistent.
It is a good idea to partner with tree surgeons, like our team, during the process to ensure your trees are receiving the specific care they need. With preventative methods, structural support and hydration, you can support your trees in recovery when dealing with damaged roots.
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