Question
Hi,
I have an approximately 10-12 year old jacaranda tree (about 7" diameter trunk, drip line spreads about 15'in dia) growing in my yard. I am in the process of putting down brick pavers for a patio. The pavers will leave an approximately 5' dia. circle of bare ground around the tree, the rest of the area will be brick. As I am excavating soil around the tree, I have exposed some shallow roots. These roots are about 2-3" in dia about 3' from the trunk. My question: Is it injurious to the tree to cut these roots as they are too close to the surface to allow the placement of the brick pavers? Any advice you can offer is appreciated. Thanks!
Answer
Yes cutting these roots will damage the tree and possible cause it to die. IF they pavers are solid (water can not seep through them (you might as well remove the tree) since the tree will not be able to get enough water to survive. At the least the tree will suffer major dieback of the limbs and more then likely will die. You can add not mope then 3 inches deep of sand over the roots and put the pavers on the sand as long as you do not cement between the pavers allowing water to seep through. This would be ok and the tree should be fine.
