One of the most common calls we get starts with, "This tree was fine a few years ago." Often, when we look closer, a new driveway, patio, addition, or utility trench went in nearby, and the tree has been slowly declining ever since.
Most of a tree's feeding roots live in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil and spread well past the edge of the canopy. Trenching cuts them, heavy equipment packs our clay so roots can't breathe, and even a few inches of fill dirt over the root zone can smother them. The tree keeps leafing out for a season or two, then the top starts thinning and dead limbs show up.
If you're planning a project near a mature tree, the best time to think about it is before the first shovel goes in. Fencing off the root zone, routing trenches around the tree, and keeping equipment off the ground under the canopy can make all the difference. If the work already happened, watch for dieback from the top down, since that tells you whether the tree is coping or struggling.
Have you had any digging or construction work near a big tree on your property in the last few years?
#TreeCare #WinstonSalem
A real photo of a mature tree near a recent driveway, patio, or utility trench on a local property, ideally showing thinning or dead limbs at the top of the canopy. A simple graphic showing roots spreading wider than the canopy also works for this educational post. Authentic photos strongly preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Most tree roots live in the top 18 inches" or "Protect the roots before you dig"