A tree consulting project in Mobile, Alabama, involving large tree roots growing through a parking lot. After discussing several options, the decision was made to sacrifice six parking spaces to provide the live oaks with more room for their root systems, while removing the sycamore.
There is still some work to be done to raise the grade over the roots in the driveway, but this approach will provide a much better outcome for the live oaks than grinding or removing their roots. Tree roots are often very shallow, and damaging or removing exposed roots can lead to serious health issues, including drought stress. More importantly, roots provide critical anchorage, so disturbing them can increase the risk of tree failure.