What to do About Roots Damaged in Installations

Question here, this comes from Julie. ‘Our neighbor had to install storm gutters near our emerald green arborvitae trees, which we planted at least a decade ago. They are at least 20 feet tall. Upon digging, I observed the roots and became concerned regarding potential tree loss. What steps can be taken to salvage the trees? The pipe installation has been completed and covered.’

Okay. So that’s good. I’m glad to soil back over the roots, protecting those roots, because when they’re exposed to air for any extended period of time, it can kill the root.

So the best thing you can do for those plants right now is to use a slow-release fertilizer and definitely give them some water. Even though they’ve been established for 10 years, we’ve altered that root system. When you dug through that area, it damaged some of the root system. So we need to make sure the rest of the root system that’s there and present has ample moisture to bring up. And the plant will recover most of the time and repair itself.

I had someone call me the other day, said they were putting in a new septic system, and they have trees that are, you know, eight feet from where the lines were being torn up, and they were mature maple trees. So it’s not gonna be good. The best thing you can do is to make sure the rest of the root system in that tree, especially in 95 degree temperatures like this, make sure that the rest of the root system has an ample amount of moisture. That way the tree is not stressing on any other part, and then it should be able to repair the roots on the side that was damaged.

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