Question about grinding surface roots of Silver Maple

[outdoorfan]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum. Please move it if it is.

My question is this. There's a fella that has a Silver Maple with some pretty long surface roots that he is sick of mowing over, tripping on, etc. He'd like me to grind them out or just do a surface grind to get them down to ground level (maybe 2 inches taken off the top at the most), but he doesn't want to kill the tree. In my experience, those Silvers are pretty resilient, but I wanted to ask the tree pros what you think. Thanks!

 

[no tree to big]

That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard.... the roots are like a trees feet and esophagus cut them its either gonna fall over or starve to death

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[outdoorfan]

I hear ya. To specify better, it's not all the roots of the tree that are in the way, only a couple on one side. I don't know if the tree can still get its nutrients after those two have been damaged, or if it is likely that one aspect of the tree will starve, thereby killing the tree.

 

[JeffGu]

Experiences vary a lot, so my answer isn't going to match anyone elses... but, I've never been able to kill a Silver Maple or an Elm tree by cutting a dozen or so large roots. Not even a partial die back.

Of course, if you cut two of them the tree will probably die, fall over and crush the house... just to spite me.

 

[outdoorfan]

Made me chuckle. LOL!