Question
I live in a community with about 1,000 oak trees. There are city ordinances that prevent cutting these trees. Some of the tree roots are starting to lift the asphalt in our streets. When street repair is done, what can be done with the roots causing the problems?

Answer
Tree roots can be cut. In general cutting roots will show up in the foliage with die back of limbs. As a general rule you can cut up to 25% of the roots without seriously damaging the health of the tree. Root may grow back to some extent but not to the original root number.

The roots of a tree spread out about 1 1/2 times the with of the branches and the closer you cut roots to the trunk the more damage to the tree. When the street repair is done I would suggest that the roots be cut back to the curb--you may get die back of the foliage but the trees should live. If they do not I am sure the ordinance will allow dead trees to be removed.