Trees have adapted to a wide range of conditions, and their roots spread out to help them find the most nutrients. Above-ground roots are not necessarily indicators of tree health, North says.

Most trees’ roots normally lie a few inches below ground, spreading out horizontally ... the roots of a tree may be forced to grow above the soil surface. That cozy coverage can be disrupted ...

In Fielding Questions, readers also asked about caring for a Wodarz apple tree and what to do about a rhubarb seed stalk.

Though you have decapitated your tree, it is not dead; the roots remain very much alive. What you’ve done is to send your plant into panic or survival mode. Deprived of the above-ground ...

Q: Last summer I got all my evergreen trees removed but the roots still remain, some above ground level so sowing a lawn is not an option. The space is almost inaccessible to machinery to grind ...

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has offered the following tips for spring tree planting. May in ...

Covering a tree's roots above ground can limit the tree's access to oxygen and moisture which helps them grow and stay healthy. Avoid cutting, trimming, or removing tree roots because it can make ...

“Wood mulch is the best way to cover tree roots above the ground.” He suggested 2-3 inches of wood mulch to reduce the need to mow over the roots and increase moisture retention in the root zone. “For ...