Surfaced Tree Roots

Question: The roots of our five-year-old maple tree are on the surface of our lawn. Is it advisable to add more loam over these roots? Will the roots continue to come through or will the tree suffocate?

Answer: It is never advisable to cover exposed roots of an established tree. Complete burial of tree roots with soil piled around and up against the trunk base may result in suffocation. However, sufficient loam may be added between the roots to bring the soil level even with the upper root surface. As roots grow they increase with girth. This, plus soil erosion, results in root exposure from time to time.