Advice on what to do with tree near driveway

[BuddyJ530]

My name is Buddy and I don't know anything about yards, shrubs, trees, etc. I am a total beginner. My wife and I just moved into a home that was last owned by a hoarder, so it has 30+ yrs of overgrowth. I've slowly been cutting things and we need help with a tree near our driveway. We think its a dogwood (please feel free to correct us, again we are clueless), but a few roots have grown out of the ground. It looks like they grew that way because it's so close to the driveway. We really like the tree and it looks beautiful when it blooms, but we wanted to do something about the roots, if we could. A couple of my questions are:

1. Are these roots or are they crazy big branches?
2. Can mulch or dirt be put around it to help cover them and look better?
3. Can these roots be cut?
4. Does anyone have general advice on what to do with the tree?
5. Should I just leave it alone? (We do plan on trying to grow grass around it).
6. Does the tree look healthy?

Thank you very much. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. I've attached pictures, please let me know if there is anything I can take pictures of to help. I don't really use forums that often, so if I miss a question or am delayed in replying please be patient with me, lol. Again, thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[BuddyJ530]

Just grabbed some pics of the tree and driveway hope this helps.

 

[Bango Skank]

Does anyone think this tree may have had too much mulch piled around the base at an earlier time?
Excessive mulch, or soil, can sometimes encourage roots to grow about the surface.
Just wondering.

 

[Dudders]

I'd leave it, myself. It's unusual, so make a feature of it.

 

[Raintree]

Looks like a flowing cherry. Cut out the small girdling root on the back side, don't cut any of the larger roots. Cover as much of the larger odd surface roots with mulch without piling the mulch onto the tree trunk.
Enjoy your tree.

 

[old CB]

Your tree has an unusual growth but appears to be thriving. Leave it alone and enjoy it. It needs nothing.

 

[BuddyJ530]

I'd leave it, myself. It's unusual, so make a feature of it.

I like that idea of making a feature of it. My wife is pretty creative. I think she can come up with something nice. Thanks!

 

[BuddyJ530]

Your tree has an unusual growth but appears to be thriving. Leave it alone and enjoy it. It needs nothing.

We like it a lot, glad it looks healthy. So we'll leave it as is. Thanks for help

 

[BuddyJ530]

Looks like a flowing cherry. Cut out the small girdling root on the back side, don't cut any of the larger roots. Cover as much of the larger odd surface roots with mulch without piling the mulch onto the tree trunk.
Enjoy your tree.

Will do. Which one is the small girdling root? Again I'm so new to all of this, just want to make sure I'm getting the right one.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Number 4

 

[ArtB]

#4 for sure .......... and please wear BOOTS even to cut that small root

 

[Seachaser]

Sidewalks and tree roots don’t go together. it will keep cracking your concrete.

 

[pdqdl]

#4 for sure .......... and please wear BOOTS even to cut that small root

Eh. Just use a set of loppers or perhaps a hatchet. There is no need to get a chain dull cutting that little thing.

 

[psc1947]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

 

[asburyparktreeman]

My name is Buddy and I don't know anything about yards, shrubs, trees, etc. I am a total beginner. My wife and I just moved into a home that was last owned by a hoarder, so it has 30+ yrs of overgrowth. I've slowly been cutting things and we need help with a tree near our driveway. We think its a dogwood (please feel free to correct us, again we are clueless), but a few roots have grown out of the ground. It looks like they grew that way because it's so close to the driveway. We really like the tree and it looks beautiful when it blooms, but we wanted to do something about the roots, if we could. A couple of my questions are:

1. Are these roots or are they crazy big branches?
2. Can mulch or dirt be put around it to help cover them and look better?
3. Can these roots be cut?
4. Does anyone have general advice on what to do with the tree?
5. Should I just leave it alone? (We do plan on trying to grow grass around it).
6. Does the tree look healthy?

Thank you very much. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. I've attached pictures, please let me know if there is anything I can take pictures of to help. I don't really use forums that often, so if I miss a question or am delayed in replying please be patient with me, lol. Again, thank you for any help you can offer.View attachment 983484View attachment 983485View attachment 983483View attachment 983482

Hi Buddy, congratulations on your new home! Based on the pictures you provided and as Raintree mentioned, it looks like you have a flowing cherry tree, not a dogwood. If you're concerned about any further potential damage to your driveway, you may want to consider consulting a professional tree service company for advice on how to manage them. However, the tree looks healthy and doesn't need anything specific to thrive. It's great that you're taking an interest in your yard, and I hope you enjoy your beautiful tree!