I'm expanding this bed and can't believe what a nightmare it's turned out to be, there are so many tree roots all over the place. Most have been from trees that have been cut down.

Then I came across this big one that extends quite a bit, it's not really in the middle of the bed, more to the right of it BUT it looks like it belongs to my big maple tree (the only tree left in my back yard that I want to keep) will I damage the tree if I try to cut this root or should I just try to work my way around it? It's probably about 2 feet long or so.

here's part of the root, it's a pretty thick one.

It will quite possibly damage your tree, I wouldn't take any chances. Perhaps you could work around it or make a raised bed over it. Your flowerbed looks very pretty!

I'd work around it, too. It's awfully big. You can plant right up to it & your flowers will hide it.

I agree, don't cut it. Work around it. If you are mulching, the mulch will hid it. Or throw just enough soil on it to hide it.

I wouldn't remove it either. Just work around it. Your flowers are lovely.

thank you guys, that's one less headache I have to deal with then, I'll see what I can do as I wanted to make a border of creeping phlox right behind the rocks. I can't wait to finish this bed!

If the problem is so easily solved by working around it, then there's no reason to further deal with it.
But, if it is going to be just another thing in the way of the garden working well, then you have do decide whether the 'working around it' is still justified.

You haven't proved from where the root is coming...you believe it could be the maple.
How far away is the maple from the bothersome root.
Tree roots are commonly cut where they pose no problem to how the tree survives. You shouldn't put any more than 2" of soil over such root---or suffocation might result.

If you use the proper guide to just how far you can cut roots--measure up 4 1/2', measure the diameter there and multiply that by 3 which then suggests that's the number of feet outwards you can safely cut roots.
Anything in the circle, should be left alone.
Anything outside the circle is defined as whether you wish to cut or leave.

The root is making its presence known at the present time...what about tomorrow--next week--next year. If the garden is there permanently, then you might be facing the same dilemma at this time next year.

Oh good grief...Hayland, the last time you suggested cutting tree roots, your posts were deleted. Remember?

Gelato, there's no way I'd cut that root if I thought it was coming from a tree I wanted to keep...the thing is just too big. I've 'worked around' many roots. As I'm sure we all have. Well, most of us anyway!

ok, i cant resist, i had a chuckle when i read that you had a big ole root right in the middle of your "bed"..
i have a maple that pokes up around my yard and beds too, from what i've read thier roots are very shallow, so i'd be worried about cutting it. i had to put edging AROUND the roots in my beds. what a chore! we had to cut the edging below the ground level and then cover up the cuts. sheees. i just cover the visible ones with mulch.

thank you guys for your replies. Someone asked how far the root was from the tree, Here's a photo of it. I do believe it is coming from the maple and not from the other smaller trees that were cut down.

I would hate for anything to happen to that maple so I will play is safe and just work around it.

Oh good grief, cut that sucker, it aint supposed to be there and cutting it will do no harm to the tree that its nearest.

Gelato, aside from recriminations of one party, the fact that the root made an appearance above ground--it just happened to be your garden possibly because you have added soil over ground that the roots found moisture in and that's exactly what tree roots do, they come up where moisture invites them to do so.

This is why soil should not be put over an area of tree roots more than a couple inches; because doing so can bring the roots up.
More than the 2" and the risk of suffocation of such roots might occur.

Me, I'd dig down at least a couple inches and cut that root. It wont harm the tree and your garden will be free of a nuisance.

No, I'll go further...go back about a foot...or two, dig down and cut that root. And cut any others that might make an appearance in the same place.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hayland,

Hayland. Since we oldtimers on the board know you consistantly give bad advice, plagarize others work, and have had many many posts deleted by admin due to such behavior, no one takes your advice seriously. Now play nice please.

quote:

This is why soil should not be put over an area of tree roots more than a couple inches; because doing so can bring the roots up.

What Rot!!!