TREE ROOTS

Tree roots are the tree’s hidden support system — you don’t see them, but the whole tree depends on them. Most of a tree’s active roots sit fairly close to the surface and often spread out much further than the branches. This means that digging, driving over the ground, or even piling materials around a tree can quietly damage its roots without any obvious immediate signs above ground.

The problem is that once roots are compacted or cut, the tree can struggle to take up enough water and nutrients to stay healthy. It might look fine for a while, but over time it can start to decline, become more vulnerable to drought, disease, or storm damage, and in some cases eventually die. Protecting the soil around a tree is therefore one of the simplest ways to keep it healthy — think of it as giving the tree its “breathing space” underground so it can keep doing its job for years to come.