spuce uprooting and root rot

[joezilla11]

hey guys I went out to a property im working on with the intent to drop 3 spruce today. they are about 14-16" and about 50ft. they are on the edge of a wooded lot with a slight lean toward power in striking distance. I examined the base in overgrown grass and found exposed roots on the side opposite the lean, one had decayed thru a root. I don't see any mounding so im thinking the uprooting has occurred over sometime? and there is a 4th that had blown over, same size, very shallow root system. theres a lot of dead branches on them up to about halfway up. I can take pics but I don't have them right now im just wondering if the decline of the trees could be caused by the uprooting, or possibly root rot or both? i was looking forward to putting some time in on spurs but red flags so i didn't climb them.

 

[sgreanbeans]

Need pics, could be one or the other, both or something not related to either one. Need to see the sight aswell.

 

[old_soul]

I think all the spruce i have seen around here are shallow rooted. Not necessarily indicating a problem with the tree........

But you are right, once they start leaning it's not too long before the whole thing goes over, roots and all!