Hi. Recently moved to Bradenton, Florida, into a 20-year-old home with several large, mature live oak trees in the front and back. I'm concerned...

[user 189547]

I'm concerned about one live oak in the front yard, with a large root that has grown against the side of the driveway (see pictures). I've read some other posts here indicating cutting a root like this could make the tree unstable, which I do not want to happen because it is close to mine and my neighbor's home. The root has not caused any damage, yet, but a portion of the root has come up slightly above ground level. It appears the driveway has caused the root to do a 180-degree turn and either drop below the driveway or is continuing to grow alongside. Would it hurt to cut away this section of exposed root? Would it make the tree unstable? What is the likelihood that leaving it be will result in damage later? FYI, the width of the trunk of the tree at chest level is about 19-inches, and the root encroaching on my driveway is about 10-feet from the tree trunk. Thanks in advance for your expert opinions.

 

[stihlaficionado]

May want to post this in the "Homeowner Help" Forum

You'll get more views & more help

Welcome to AS

 

[user 189547]

May want to post this in the "Homeowner Help" Forum

You'll get more views & more help

Welcome to AS

Thanks.

 

[lohan808]

Do not cut the offending root. The advice is correct about live oak becoming unstable. Florida has wind issues for sure. Best advice would be monitor the creep of that root and if the driveway starts to suffer, you might want to move it over a few feet. Oaks in Florida are beautiful with the spanish moss, it would be a shame to lose it to poor management.

 

[flatsfisher]

I've had several homes where live oak roots have lifted sections of my driveways, including my current home. We just live with it here. beautiful 100 plus year-old tree trumps bump in the driveway.

 

[user 189547]

Do not cut the offending root. The advice is correct about live oak becoming unstable. Florida has wind issues for sure. Best advice would be monitor the creep of that root and if the driveway starts to suffer, you might want to move it over a few feet. Oaks in Florida are beautiful with the spanish moss, it would be a shame to lose it to poor management.

I left the root, but you can't be serious about suggesting that I move the driveway.

 

[Del_]

I don't think your live oak would suffer any damage if that root were to be cleanly cut about 4 feet from your driveway.

 

[user 189547]

I don't think your live oak would suffer any damage if that root were to be cleanly cut about 4 feet from your driveway.

Would there be any risk of it growing back toward the driveway and instead of turning, actually doing some damage? It's another question.

 

[Del_]

Would there be any risk of it growing back toward the driveway and instead of turning, actually doing some damage? It's another question.

The root will likely 'branch out' and form a mass of roots at the cut and they will grow towards the driveway. The root pruning process can be repeated years down the road. There are fabric root barriers that can be buried along the driveway that stop roots.

 

[user 189547]

The root will likely 'branch out' and form a mass of roots at the cut and they will grow towards the driveway. The root pruning process can be repeated years down the road. There are fabric root barriers that can be buried along the driveway that stop roots.

Thanks, Del. Very helpful. I think I'll leave it alone. At the first sign of any upward movement of the driveway, if it happens in my lifetime or as long as I own this home, I'll cut it out and lay landscape fabric along the driveway edge.

 

[Del_]

Thanks, Del. Very helpful. I think I'll leave it alone. At the first sign of any upward movement of the driveway, if it happens in my lifetime or as long as I own this home, I'll cut it out and lay landscape fabric along the driveway edge.

What you are looking for is 'root barrier' fabric.

It's not landscape fabric.

 

[user 189547]

Okay, thanks for the clarification.

 

[lohan808]

I left the root, but you can't be serious about suggesting that I move the driveway.

You asked for advice. You don't have to take it. If you find the tree is cracking and lifting the concrete that is what an arborist would suggest, but you do what you want.

 

[user 189547]

You asked for advice. You don't have to take it. If you find the tree is cracking and lifting the concrete that is what an arborist would suggest, but you do what you want.

Not trying to create negativity, because I appreciate reasonable opinions offered by professional arborists. But there has to be some common sense, as well. I don't feel a suggestion to move a driveway in order to avoid a root qualifies.

 

[lohan808]

Not trying to create negativity, because I appreciate reasonable opinions offered by professional arborists. But there has to be some common sense, as well. I don't feel a suggestion to move a driveway in order to avoid a root qualifies.

No negativity received here. Some will go with plan A and some go with plan B. It really would depend on who you employ to deal with the situation.