Cutting roots of mature maple

[Lincoln Straight]

Hello.

 

Our maple is lifting our concrete driveway and we will need to cut some of the roots in order to put down the new driveway. The tree is approximately 35 years old, 8-feet in circumference at its base and is probably 25-35 ft. tall. The edge of the tree's trunk is only 32-inches from the driveway.

 

Will cutting some of the roots kill the tree?

 

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[Steve Bullman]

How big are the roots you are wanting to cut?

 

In general, cutting a few roots isn't likely to directly kill a tree, but you do run the risk of destabilising the tree leaving it open to wind throw.

[Mark J]

Cutting the roots might kill and/or destabilise the tree depending on the size of the roots.

What kind of driveway are you going to put down?

[Lincoln Straight]

Destabilising is one of my concerns. As you can see from the pictures, the tree leans a little in one direction. The tree has spread most of it's large branches in the opposite way of the lean, as to offset the balance. I have no idea what type of root structures these trees have. Unfortunately, the root that we will need to cut looks like a pretty large one.

 

We are thinking about putting down clay brick pavers. 

Edited July 10, 2021 by Lincoln Straight
spelling

[daltontrees]

Cutting roots rarely has an immediately destabilising effect, studies have shown that you need to get quite close before the destabilisation is measurable. But the more and bigger you cut the more likely decay will take hold and progress into the rest of the rootplate or buttresses.

 

I woudl have thought from looking at the photos that if you lift the concrete carefully you could put down a 50-75mm layer of Cellweb then pavoirs on top that and possibly not have to cut any roots at all. I am finding that Cellweb + no-fines granular fill as a sub-base is quicker, cheaper and just as good as (in some ways better than) compacted Type 1.