Tree Root Problems: Identification and Solutions

What Is Happening Underground Matters

Root problems are invisible until symptoms appear in the canopy — yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or sudden dieback. By the time you see the symptoms, the root issue may have been developing for years.

Girdling Roots

What it is: Roots that circle the trunk instead of growing outward, eventually strangling the tree like a noose. Common in container-grown trees that were not properly root-pruned at planting.

Symptoms: No trunk flare visible at soil line, one-sided canopy dieback, leaning trunk. The tree may look healthy for years before sudden decline.

Fix: Expose the root flare by removing soil 6–12 inches around the trunk. Cut away circling roots with a root saw. Do not remove more than 25% of the root system at once. Best done by a certified arborist.

Root Rot

What it is: Fungal disease (Phytophthora, Armillaria) that kills roots in waterlogged soil. Dead roots cannot absorb water, so the tree shows drought symptoms even in wet soil.

Symptoms: Small, pale leaves, premature fall color, branch dieback starting at the top, mushrooms at the base.

Fix: Improve drainage by regrading or installing French drains. Remove severely infected trees — the fungus persists in soil for years. Plant resistant species in the same location.

Construction Damage

What it is: Soil compaction, root cutting, and grade changes from nearby construction. Trees can lose 40–70% of their root system and still stand — but they will decline over 3–10 years.

Symptoms: Delayed leaf-out, smaller leaves, increased pest susceptibility, dieback in the canopy.

Fix: Preventive is best — fence off the critical root zone (1 foot radius per inch of trunk diameter) before construction begins. After damage: aerate compacted soil, add organic mulch, water deeply during drought, and avoid fertilizing a stressed tree.

Surface Roots

What it is: Roots growing above the soil surface, creating trip hazards and making mowing difficult. Caused by shallow soil, compaction, or planting too deep.

Fix: Do NOT cut surface roots — they are structural and water-absorbing. Instead, cover them with 2–3 inches of soil and seed grass, or create a mulched ring around the tree. For persistent problems, consult an arborist about root pruning and redirection.