Why Surface Roots Develop Frequently on Properties in Lawrenceville and What They Indicate

We get asked and sent photos about surface roots sprouting up on properties in Lawrenceville all the time. In appearance these look like a large root crossing a lawn and breaking through the surface, which is unfortunate because they create a raised ridge which can catch your lawnmower or, worse still, raise your patio flagstones up a half an inch higher than they should be in places if the root is growing underneath.

A lot of the time these surface roots are not a problem and are just a normal part of tree growth. Alternatively they can be an indication that not everything is alright with the tree. The difficulty is that it can be hard to tell if there is a problem or not by just looking at your yard.

In this article we walk you through why surface roots develop so often in Lawrenceville, what tree species this tends to occur with, and what the roots may be telling you about the soil and water they are sitting in if this starts happening.

Surface roots are often normal

Most trees aren’t anchored by one deep “carrot root” that goes straight down into the ground like a giant hair follicle. Instead absorbing roots are generally found in the upper layer of the soil where they have access to the maximum amount of oxygen, water and nutrients. That top zone of the soil is also where the organic matter like leaves and mulch collects.

In Lawrenceville, soils can be dense, and in many neighborhoods the topsoil could have been disturbed during home construction, meaning that the deeper down soil lacks oxygen or is excessively compacted. When that happens, the roots behave much like you or I would; they head off in search of air, meaning they start growing towards the surface.

Surface roots can also be the result of age. As a tree matures and gets older, the root flares and major structural roots tend to expand in diameter. Thus, over time, a lawn that once looked smooth starts to suddenly develop small ridges in it as the trees around it get older and their root structures change. Again, this is not always a problem or a sign of  decline. Sometimes it is just nature changing.

Lawrenceville soil: Compaction and clay

If there is one reason above all others why surface roots appear so often in yards in the Lawrenceville area it is owing to a lack of oxygen below the surface for the roots to avail of. Heavy clay in this kind of soil holds water excessively and is slow to drain. If you add in the sheer weight of foot traffic and cars pressing down on it as well, then it results in the soil being packed downwards. As this takes place, the air space disappears and oxygen can’t circulate.

Roots need oxygen as much as they need water. When they can’t breathe down in the deeper layers of the soil, they start trying to grow upwards. For you as a property owner, the tree will still look fine up top, with a full canopy of healthy leaves and branches, but the roots are basically relocating underground and making their way closer to the surface where they can find more oxygen.

This also explains why we see surface roots near newer construction work. A project might have only been going on for a few days, but the compacting of the surface can last for multiple years. In response, the tree or trees adapt by spreading outward and upward. Surface roots of this specific kind are not the problem. They are the symptom; the compacted soil is the actual problem.

Drainage and water patterns

The way in which your yard drains and how water moves around it impacts on surface roots. Trees learn your yard’s habits over time. For instance, if you have a sprinkler that turns on every morning at 6:00 am, the tree learns this and the roots respond to these patterns by growing towards where they know the water will be.

Many lawns in Lawrenceville will experience alternating extremes of wet periods followed by hot and dry stretches. This tends to lead to the soil at the very top baking and becoming hard in summer, which in turn means that what moisture is available stays at the top and doesn’t penetrate down to the deeper layers, especially if any form of manual watering of the area is limited. All of these conditions, when combined, encourage shallow rooting, which then becomes more visible in the long run as the roots thicken.

There’s also the issue of what’s called “mulch volcano”, which is surprisingly common. When mulch is piled up against the trunk of a tree it holds moisture against the bark and this changes the oxygen levels around the root. Over time this can cause the roots to grow into the mulch layer itself in the belief that it is soil that will offer protection. Then, when the mulch washes away or is removed, those roots are sitting right there exposed at the surface and easy to damage.

Why the species of tree matters

Not every tree behaves the same way when it comes to surface roots, even on the same property, which is a bit counter-intuitive but true nonetheless. Some are much more likely to show surface roots as they age, especially if they are planted in conditions which differ from the ones that they naturally prefer.

Sweetgum is a classic in our area; it grows fast and provides a beautiful mix of yellow, orange and purple leaves in the fall. However, it also tends to build a broad and aggressive  root system that can come easily to the surface, especially in compacted lawns of the kind described above or where the topsoil is thin.

Tulip poplar, sometimes called yellow poplar, is similar; it prefers deep, well-drained soil and a lot of sun. When it gets those conditions, it can be a good tree to have in the landscape, but on properties where the soil is shallow or compacted, the roots often spread out and come to the surface, because (once again) that is where oxygen and moisture are most reliably found.

If you have either of these species growing in your yard or garden the surface roots will increase from year to year.

Ash trees are another species to be aware of. These are a tough species that grow well in urban settings, though they are not always deep-rooted in lawns. Green ash is frequently used as a tree to provide shade in gardens and because it tolerates a range of different conditions. It’s the kind of tree people plant because they know that it will just grow without too many interventions or much maintenance. White ash also shows up as a specimen or street tree and prefers moist, well-drained soil and plentiful sun.

These features aside, even durable trees that don’t need a lot of care will still have to respond to the soil becoming excessively compacted. Ash roots will grow to the surface, particularly when the yard has been filled or the soil is wet. Once those roots expand, they are not going to go back down by themselves.

Also, if you have an ash tree in Georgia, it’s worth keeping a close eye on its overall health, as regional pest pressures have affected ash in many areas. If pest problems are combined with compaction and drought, the health of the trees will start to spiral downwards.

Black walnut is a strong tree with a big footprint, one that changes the garden around it. It is a beautiful tree with an open form and a trunk that often stays free of branches for large stretches. It likes moist and well-drained soils and it can be a great tree for wildlife to proliferate around, although it comes with two specific complications.

Walnut trees in Lawrenceville GA produce heavy fruit, which is a concern if the branches hang over a driveway, as it can damage cars or people people, while it also produces juglone, a natural chemical that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants. When people do not establish ground-cover or shrubs near walnut, these trees often keep disturbing the soil. This then leads to replanting and the repeated disturbance and shallow planting can end up exposing or further encouraging the development of surface roots over time.

The root systems of walnut trees also tend to be extensive. So when we see surface roots near a walnut tree, we think in terms of “zone management.” This means clearly designating what should be turf and mulched bed, or what should just be left alone to its own devices.

Eastern red cedar and American holly

Eastern red cedar and American holly have different roots again and also their own unique clues about surface roots. Eastern red cedar, for instance, is tough. It will tolerate poor soils and wide pH ranges, but it really wants copious sun and it dislikes shade. We tend to see root issues show up with it if it is not getting all the sunlight it wants. In thin soils or rocky spots, cedar roots can appear close to the surface simply because they have nowhere else to go.

American holly is different. This is a broadleaf evergreen, one that is often pyramidal shaped when it is still a young tree, however it evolves to be more open and irregular with age.

Hollies can perform quite well in deep and fertile soils with adequate moisture and can adapt speedily from only having partial shade to being fully in the sun. If surface roots are visible around the base of a holly tree it often points to changes in the shape or slope of the yard or soil erosion.

Surface roots reveal a history of construction

A lot of Lawrenceville neighborhoods have a similar backstory: lots were cleared, small mountains of soil were moved, the topsoil was scraped over, and then it was replaced unevenly. Sometimes the builders might have even left the construction debris buried. Whether they did or not the point is the subsoil still became extensively compacted by all of the heavy equipment driving around on top and pressing the mud down.

Trees planted into that environment can grow fine for a while; that is until they run into denser subsoil and compacted layers, or a place underground where water is sitting after a storm. This is a scenario where roots start to spread sideways instead of growing downwards. Later those same lateral-growing roots will thicken and start lifting turf and mud upwards.

Surface roots and tree stability

When people have sprawling surface roots they become concerned that their tree is about to fall over. Now this is certainly not an entirely negligible risk. Conversely, it doesn’t come hand-in-hand with surface roots either though.

A tree can have surface roots and still be very stable, especially if the structural roots are thick and well developed and the soil around the tree is not saturated all of the time. On the contrary, if the surface roots are wet and the tree is leaning then you need to take a closer look at it.

At TreeTime Tree Service we also pay attention to situations where the root has flared. Let’s explain what this means: if the trunk goes straight into the ground like a telephone pole, this means that the tree may be planted too deep. A buried root flare like this can lead to reduced stability later. Ironically, the yard might actually show surface roots further out in this case, while the more important area near the trunk is actually suffocating.

What not to do when you see surface roots

We want to be clear here; cutting large surface roots in order to simply smooth out the yard is not a good idea. It can destabilize the tree. Covering the roots with a thick layer of soil is also not a solution, as it can suffocate them, especially if the soil is overly compact or there is a significant change in the slope. Also, repeatedly nicking roots with a lawnmower creates chronic damage to them over time that can lead to it rotting as well as problem with insects.

If you are thinking about trying to level the ground near a mature tree, then it is probably worth bringing in a professional at this stage. A few inches of soil over a big portion of the root zone can have a bigger impact than people expect and the decline will not show up for a year or two.

What we recommend at TreeTime

At TreeTime, when we assess a property in Lawrenceville and start looking at surface roots, we’re trying to answer a few simple questions. Is the tree healthy? Is the root environment getting worse over time? Is the tree creating a hazard? Most importantly, what is the homeowner actually trying to accomplish? Sometimes they want to be able to mow the law without large surface roots getting in the wa. In other situations they are intervening to protect a walkway or to keep a favorite tree alive.

If compacted soil is clearly part of the problem, we may discuss soil improvement approaches at this point, ones that will increase the amount of oxygen available to the roots beneath the ground and encourage healthier rooting patterns over time. We also look at drainage to see if excessive water is contributing to the situation. Sometimes correcting where water concentrates during storms or heavy rain can significantly improve the environment for the roots.

When roots are pressing against patio flagstones and trying to lift them we adopt different methods. Sometimes the best fix is to adjust the patio or flagstones rather than cutting down the tree. Other times it will involve selecting a different material to use on the ground, albeit it’s also important to acknowledge that a large tree offering shade and a perfectly flat, paved patio cannot both dominate the same space indefinitely. One will have to go eventually.

A quick note on native habitats

Trees tend to be well behaved when they are matched to the circumstances and environments that they prefer. Thus, one concept which we consistently try to emphasize is that trees should be planted in conditions similar to their native habitats. The macroclimate will determine whether a species can live in Georgia at all, whereas the microclimate is the determinant for whether or not it will thrive in your specific yard.

Returning to our earlier tree type, sweetgum naturally thrives in moist lowlands and flood plains; tulip poplar prefers deep and well-drained soil; white ash likes moist and well-drained forest soils; and American holly flourishes in deep, fertile soils as long as it has moisture. When we plant these trees in compacted soil, or on hot dry slopes without irrigation, we shouldn’t be surprised when surface roots show up as a tangible sign that the trees are struggling.

In situations like these, professional tree services in Lawrenceville GA can provide valuable assistance in managing and improving the health of your trees, while also addressing any concerns you have in relation to surface roots or where your patio is being lifted up by rising roots.

When is it time to call TreeTime Tree Service?

If surface roots are simply showing and the tree is otherwise healthy, we can often guide you towards making a few changes that will protect the roots of the tree and protect the yard at the same time. Alternatively, you should call us if you’re seeing sudden changes or if the tree has started leaning, especially if you’re planning on carrying out construction work near the tree.

Surface roots are common on Lawrenceville properties for a reason: the soil conditions, water patterns, degree of sunlight and the legacy of construction are all factors that can push roots upwards. Sometimes this is normal root architecture. Elsewhere the tree substrate is adapting to real stress underground. Either way, the roots are sending you signals about what’s happening, and if we read those signals early enough we usually have lots of options for remedying the situation and ones that are more affordable too.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why do surface roots appear so often in Lawrenceville yards?

Surface roots are common in Lawrenceville due to the presence of dense and compacted clay soils that limit the supply of oxygen below the surface of the soil. Without large supplies of oxygen, the roots adapt by growing upwards to where more oxygen and nutrients are available. This happens a lot when the soil has been disturbed or if construction or heavy foot traffic has taken place.

Are surface roots always a sign that a tree is unhealthy?

No, surface roots are not automatically a problem. They can be a normal part of a tree’s design or an adaptation to the soil conditions around and below it, but sometimes they indicate that the tree is looking for a better source of oxygen or moisture levels. They don’t necessarily mean the tree is declining.

Which tree species in Lawrenceville are more prone to developing surface roots?

Species like sweetgum, tulip poplar and ash trees tend to develop noticeable surface roots. Sweetgum and tulip poplar, for example, grow quite fast with aggressive, wide-spreading root systems that soon begin to show near the surface in soil that is heavily compacted. The roots of ash trees also try to move closer to the surface if there is a lot of moisture in the soil.

How does soil compaction affect root growth and health?

Soil compaction, where gaps in the soil are reduced, reduces air space and the availability of oxygen underground, which then forces tree roots to grow closer to the surface in search of the oxygen that they are finding difficult to acquire deeper down. This can lead to surface roots becoming visible and may affect the long-term root health of the tree if the conditions do not improve.

What role do water patterns and drainage play in the development of surface roots?

Roots follow the moisture patterns in your yard, such as areas near downspouts or the zone where a sprinkler operates. In Lawrenceville’s alternating wet and dry climate, shallow irrigation encourages roots to stay near the surface where moisture is more consistent, contributing to visible root growth above ground.

Can mulch impact the presence of surface roots around trees?

Yes, piling mulch against the trunk of a tree leads to the retention of moisture and alters oxygen levels at the root flare. Over time, roots may grow into the mulch layer itself. Then they become suddenly exposed when the mulch is refreshed or washed away, leading to vulnerable surface roots, which can be problematic.