The roots have been pruned and the root barrier is now installed. Tomorrow, we’ll continue the project with air excavation to carefully expose and assess the remaining root system. Another important step in managing the roots while protecting the surrounding property and tree.
The root pruning on this project ended up being more extensive than expected. We discussed several alternatives, including bridging over the roots, but ultimately determined that the roots needed to be removed to protect the house.
We’ll finish installing the root barrier tomorrow and then schedule reduction pruning to help manage the tree moving forward. We can’t say for certain where the roots originated, but the theory is that they extended from the side of the house toward the air conditioner condensate drain, which provides a reliable source of water during the hottest periods.
Most of the time, tree roots do not grow under foundations or cause structural issues, but in some cases, it can happen. For this project, our approach was to carefully cut the roots growing beneath the foundation, install a root barrier to help prevent future root intrusion, and treat the area with a growth regulator. This solution addresses the root issue while helping protect the surrounding tree and foundation.
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.
Performed air excavation under the tree roots in Point Clear, Alabama, to safely install a drain line while minimizing damage to the existing root system. Using air excavation allows us to carefully expose roots and work around them rather than cutting through them, helping protect the health and stability of the tree during the installation.
Installed canopy lighting in Point Clear, Alabama, adding carefully positioned lighting throughout the tree canopy to enhance the surrounding landscape and create a beautiful nighttime atmosphere. A well-designed canopy lighting system can highlight the natural structure of mature trees while providing functional and inviting outdoor illumination.
We conquered the beast! This challenging tree preservation project required the installation of 22 support rods across three co-dominant stems with severe bark inclusion. The tree had already split by the time we arrived, but we were able to stabilize it and significantly extend its life. Outstanding work by Nick and Jeramie, who put in the effort to make this successful preservation possible.
Day 3 of this supplemental tree support installation in Silverhill, Alabama. We’ve made great progress strengthening the tree, with just one more day of work remaining to complete the support system. Preserving mature trees takes careful planning, precision, and the right structural support for long-term stability.
Day 2 of this supplemental tree support installation in Silverhill, Alabama. We reinforced the main union with 11 support rods to improve the tree’s structural stability. There’s still more work to do—we’ll be dressing the rod ends and installing additional bracing across the secondary unions to complete the project. Another step toward preserving a valuable tree for years to come.
We got to this tree just in time. It had already split and likely wouldn’t have lasted much longer without intervention. We’ve installed the first set of support rods to help stabilize the tree, but the work isn’t finished yet. We’ll be returning to dress the rod ends and install additional support hardware to give this tree the best chance of long-term stability. Another important tree preservation project underway in Silverhill, Alabama.