This is the most common way we INJURE trees...

Mower root damage is very common in the landscape, and it can be detrimental to tree health! It can open up large wounds close to the ground, where pathogenic fungi can enter and begin decaying roots, weakening the tree, hollowing its base, or causing diseases.
Instead of mowing around trees, consider one of these options:
1. install a mulch circle around your tree's critical root zone. This is also a great place to plant shade-tolerant native plants that will form what's sometimes referred to as a "soft landing". There's no point to growing turf up to the trunk of your tree!
2. simply cease mowing around your tree's base and around its surface roots or structural roots.
3. If you need to mow in this area, increase the deck height of your mower's blade so that it doesn't scalp the surface roots. Alternatively, use other equipment and be more careful around the tree's roots.
#trees #arborist #arboriculture #tree #roots #rootdamage #mower #turf #mowerdamage #lawnmower #turfgrass #grass #urbanforestry #damage
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[@benjaminbrewer2569]

For bonus points, research companion plants for your tree and plant them under the canopy.

[@dingo4530]

"Mower blight"

[@NicholasFadow-o4q]

even worse than chestnut blight

[@waffle8364]

pro tip if you have a lot of cinnamon you can use it as a bandaid for any open wound for plants. Since cinnamon is basically bark it helps to close the wound and its got anti fungal properties.

[@westrim]

Those fungi aren't fun guys.

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

They're the bad guys (at least the pathogenic ones)

[@supremetaco2399]

@@Andrew_the_Arboristdo short about the good tree fungi😂

[@randangbalado]

​@@supremetaco2399 truffle

[@dubsbarry9963]

Yeah Andrew, tell us about mycorrhizae. Armillaria, on the other hand - tasty to humans, not so much for trees

[@AFMR0420]

@@Andrew_the_Arboristthat’s a pretty broad stereotyping. Even the pathogens have their place in an ecosystem.

[@dubsbarry9963]

Spot-On Advice. Remember, you're not only damaging that large woody root, but you're also destroying a vast, hairy root system at the terminal end of these scaffold roots. And those hairy root tips are doing all the work. Destroy enough of those and you destroy the tree.

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Great point and well said! Thanks for that

[@Croove55]

Not exactly the same situation, but i notice a lot of roots on nature trails with similar injuries from foot traffic. Is there anything that can be done to mitigate this? Best thing i can think of is "pile of mulch" if the damage isn't fresh, but I'm curious if there are better strategies

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Yes, great point! It's sad to see big roots die off from foot traffic, but it definitely happens. I'd have to think about this one a bit more, but I think you're right with the mulch. It would probably take a lot of effort, but 3-4" of woodchip mulch overtop would reduce the compaction and damage.

[@RedXiongmao]

I... thought this was just how tree roots look when they are at the surface

[@julianhaug]

But...but how Do I manicure my lawn!!!??? 😱

[@drinmer1]

You do know, that some places you will get fined for not trimming the lawn right?

[@KraziEyevin]

​@@drinmer1and some of these places claim to be in the "free world," no less

[@murphy4trees]

Another good tip. Have you done one about volcano mulching and burying the trunk flare...

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Yep I did a while ago, probably 1.5 years ago at this point. I should revisit that topic! Always a good one.

[@noahgreene7282]

My first words to my current lawn man were if you girdle or fuck up my trees you're fired

[@kepler180]

you have to say it in Spanish. 90% of landscapers don’t even speak english. they hail from el Mexico

[@ericolens3]

idk, we got alotta white ones around these parts. also some black ones. but very few latinos do landscaping they dont do basic stuff, the latinos I see do construction work, roofing, painting, and other handyman/carpentry jobs.

[@kepler180]

@@ericolens3 thats weird, every landscaper ive seen has been mexican

[@evangeloevoxi]

Casual racism in the comments I see. Sad.

[@kepler180]

@@evangeloevoxi thats not racist. you wanna see racist? go to a counter strike 2 lobby

[@swiss_arborist_barmetbaump3817]

You can avoid it when you plant a tree and make suhre there are no competition layers below. So the tree can grow down. Roots on the surface are a cine of havy soil competition. But yes i agree 100%

[@kalvincochran9505]

I had no idea thanks for sharing I hope my trees are aight

[@JonathonPorter-cc5ry]

Some damaged wood caused by these fungi are extremely interesting looking.

[@k.a.u.4599]

I wonder if the stuff bonsai people use to promote bark growth and healing after a cut would help something like this? Also how do you properly trim or remove a root if it's growing someplace it's a tripping or accessibility hazard like across a path?

[@IAMHIM69304]

Cut paste is expensive though a small tube costs about 20 dollars in some place I don't think it's a good idea. But the cheap ones might be good for small wounds I doubt it will work on large wounds.

[@Tac495]

How do you become an arborist?

[@CWorgen5732]

Lots of colleges have pathways to it. My sister is an arborist, and she started by getting into horticulture and landscape classes at her college.

[@09Dragonite]

I know most people here dont really care about this part, but if you're cutting into tree roots, then you're damaging your blades when you cut. You can blunt, knick, and even break blades under the right conditions. So it is far wiser to intentionally avoid cutting too closely to your trees if for no other reason than to save yourself additional work and money and possibly to avoid an absolutely freak accident with a broken blade. The chances are very low, but they're not zero, and that's all that matters.

[@NJGardengirl1961]

I have customers that always want to plant under trees. I ask them: "Is there anything growing under them now?" No? There's a reason why. The tree wins. It doesn't want anything to compete with. Why would you want to disturb the roots of a healthy tree? Leave it alone!🙄

[@planecrashcorner7283]

Need more content please lol

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Trying my best! Hopefully I can get back on track with at least 2 videos per week. Glad you enjoy, and thanks for watching!

[@muramasa870]

​@@Andrew_the_Arboristyou,sir, have the most unique content out there and very educational for average person!

[@Ray-ix2ws]

Not to mention the damage it does to mower. Bent main shaft is about half the cost of a new mower to repair. $1000.00cad

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Sheesh! Didn't think of that. A lose-lose situation!

[@kirliyapag1641]

Would lime sulphur help?

[@gardensuk96]

I tend to strim around trees 🌳 saves the mower doing damage

[@jacobcloyd8486]

Why not use a sealant like lac balsam to protect against insects and fungi?

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Apparently, according to research in the last few decades, sealants don't work and can sometimes inhibit the tree's natural compartmentalization and sealing process. I think the sealants can sometimes create a dark, moist spot in which fungi can proliferate more than if the wound were left open and allowed to dry out in the sun.

[@ofrecentvintage]

I thought those were "natural knots." 😮😢🤯

[@veroniqueverstichelen7371]

💚🌳💚

[@AFMR0420]

Walking through the woods I see similar damage to roots all the time. What causes this? Don’t tell me it’s cause we are raking america great again.

[@forest_green]

It's probably from people walking on them.

[@KeithKoch10]

How about that mulch volcano on the tree in the background at 30 seconds. I hate seeing those 😢

[@CWorgen5732]

To me that looked like a pile of mulch that hadn't been spread yet, but you might be right.

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

They're everywhere around here lol. The worst!

[@Unfortunately_Mickey]

That's pretty metal

[@Lakehousebuild]

can you cut those roots and encourage deeper roots to grow?

[@miles_quartz]

or just don't mow your lawn>>

[@forest_green]

Or get rid of your lawn and grow native plants! 💚

[@frederickheard2022]

Ask your landscapers not to injure your trees 😂

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Say you'll fire them and watch how quickly they avoid your tree's roots, lol

[@israelSamuel-ur4vq]

That because humans

[@oldspicey6001]

Oh trust theres plenty more ways to harm trees. You have no idea the emotional games i play with my Maple out front. Last year it didnt change color...

[@scrapman502]

had an annoying 12 foot root sticking out of a tree in my front yard, for years I was lifting the mower to avoid hitting it, enough was enough. out came the 4 foot axe. Problem solved.

[@Andrew_the_Arborist]

Uh oh, lol. Did your tree have any health issues after that?

[@scrapman502]

I'll let you know a year from now. It's just the beginning of spring and the leaves are not even growing yet.@@Andrew_the_Arborist

[@LEDs]

LMAO

[@llllldrijcsujhddghjkclllllllll]

😢 that made me sad