They Might Be Monkeys! Texas Tree & Land Co.

Root Crown Excavation

For trees, the transition zone between the trunk and the roots system is critical.  When soil or other materials are added to the base of a tree, it can lead to excessive decay and susceptibility to disease and/or insect problems.  It also limits the access of roots to air and water.  The tree often responds by sending roots upward into the new soil; these roots sometimes cross over the primary trunk flares to choke off large portions of the root system.  Removal of this excess soil can allow the tree to recover from the damage and gives us the opportunity to locate and remove any of these girdling roots.

• To locate and restore the natural soil grade
  
• To assess damage and evaluate hazard levels
• To locate and remove girdling roots
• To investigate the possibility of root loss or decay
• To correct damage from poor planting techniques or construction fill
  
• To allow trunk tissues to dry out, lessening the decay and disease problems mentioned above
  

Excavation of the root crown is performed to determine conditions in the soil and with the tree itself.  The procedure is one method to diagnose causes of problems and determine actions necessary to promote tree health.  Proper diagnosis is necessary to avoid incorrect recommendations for treatment, which could result in loss of the tree, damage to adjacent structures, or personal injury to people living and working around the tree.