Considering how vital roots are, it’s understandable to think that even the slightest root damage will result in the tree’s death. After all, how else will the tree absorb the water and nutrients it needs to remain healthy?
Fortunately, trees are a lot more resilient than you might think and can survive even after their roots become damaged. The question is, how much root damage can a tree take?
This article takes a closer look at root damage, highlighting the importance of scheduling regular tree risk assessment in Mt. Airy, GA.
How Do Roots Become Damaged?
Since your tree’s roots are beneath the ground, you might think that they are safe from damage. However, this is not the case.
Root damage can occur in various ways. For instance, you could cut or scrape your tree’s roots while digging around the root zone. Sometimes, the damage can occur during construction projects, like grading or placing sidewalks.
You could also damage your roots by:
- Using too much salt
- Watering excessively
- Using too much fertilizer
- Transplanting mature trees
Detecting Root Damage
Learning how to spot root damage will go a long way in helping you answer the question, “How much root damage can a tree take?”
Unfortunately, detecting early signs or root damage might be challenging to do. In fact, it can sometimes take months or years for you to notice that there’s something wrong with your tree.
The good news is that there are some signs you can look for to determine if you have damaged roots. These signs include:
- Branch dieback
- Wilting, sparse, or dying leaves
- Dying buds or twigs
- Out-of-season color changes to your leaves
- An overall lack of vigor
How Much Root Damage Can a Tree Take?
Root damage is concerning, but it isn’t an automatic death sentence. There’s a chance your tree can recover.
The amount of root damage your tree can take depends on the following factors.
Extent of the Injury
One of the key factors that determine whether your tree will survive is the extent of the injury. The more damaged your feeder and structural roots are, the less likely it is that your tree will survive.
The Location of the Damage
The location of the damage is another factor determining whether your tree will recover.
Though your tree can survive damage at the surface level, recovery could take months or years. This is because harming the tree’s feeder roots makes the absorption of water and nutrients more challenging. As a result, your tree could end up looking sickly or wilted.
As your tree heals, it will not produce a lot of new growth, choosing instead to focus on its tree roots growing.
Your Tree’s Health
How healthy your tree is also matters. In most cases, healthy trees will recover if the damage affects less than a quarter of their total roots.
Treatment Plan
Failing to implement an appropriate treatment plan significantly harms your tree’s chances of survival. The good news is that consulting a licensed arborist can help you find the most suitable solution.
They will assess the extent and nature of the damage and recommend the best course of action.
Professional Tree Service in Mt. Airy, GA
Are your tree roots damaged? Are you concerned about your tree’s survival? We can help you find answers to the question, “How much root damage can a tree take?”
From implementing solutions that will aid your tree’s recovery to determining whether the tree is rotten inside, we have got you covered. Call us at Clark Tree Experts today at 706-949-9016 to schedule professional tree service in Mt. Airy, GA.
