tree roots (landscaping, contractors, move)

[scott81nyc]

in my back yard, theres a tree in the middle.
the roots are growing above the ground all around the tree.
what can be done about this?
extra soil built up on top, then sod?

what are my options, any reccomendations are greatly appretiated, thank you.

contractors too thanks

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by scott81nyc

in my back yard, theres a tree in the middle.
the roots are growing above the ground all around the tree.
what can be done about this?
extra soil built up on top, then sod?

what are my options, any reccomendations are greatly appretiated, thank you.

contractors too thanks

Heap mulch around the tree trunk (diameter would depend on the size of the tree) and keep it bare, so when you mow, you don't run over the roots. Or you could plant something like impatiens in the mulch - they look pretty and are easy to remove at the end of the season.

[scott81nyc]

good idea, it just stinks this is center of my yard, and has a very large diameter

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by scott81nyc

good idea, it just stinks this is center of my yard, and has a very large diameter

I get your point - but some nice mounds of impatience should look really nice (water with Miracle Grow). Or you could have some hostas around the trunk, or mix the hostas with impatience.
Depending on where you are, I might even be able to share some of my hostas with you

[rocafeller05]

Might be a little to late but water, water & more water. Roots rise to the ground surface when they are not getting enough water underground.

[scott81nyc]

yea late, just bought the house, very big, old tree, sucks center of yard

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

Might be a little to late but water, water & more water. Roots rise to the ground surface when they are not getting enough water underground.

With some old trees, roots just come to the surface, period. Maybe the soil just wore away over years of landscaping and mowing? I have a huge, very old oak in the middle of my backyard and mowing around it is a pain!

[totallyfrazzled]

If you can get a trowel into the soil where the roots are, underplant the whole area (preferably all the way out to the edge of the tree canopy) with tough groundcovers such as pachysandra, vinca, and liriope. All evergreen perennials and won't need to be replaced every year like annuals such as impatiens would have to be. They all also do well in shade which obviously you have got with a tree that size. Grass/sod would just be a waste of time and money to put down under a 'tree canopy/dripline'; it will never do well.