Cutting Sycamore roots??

[Old John]

In the strip between the creek and the hill below the house there are a couple really big Sycamores. I try to keep that strip mowed because it adds to the look of the Place, coming up the drive.
There are two big roots sticking through the soil 2 1/2' from each other, and parallel, about 40 feet or so from one of the trees. I can't mow between them. And it'd be a lot easier if I didn't have to carry the string trimmer down there to clean it up.
I have already bent a couple mower blades, getting a little too close to those 2 roots. No way can you just mow over them
My old neighbor say to "just chop them out". "It won't hurt the tree".
This is an old 70/80' beautiful tree.
Will chopping out the roots Kill it? Is it a good chance or bad chance??

[Danaus29]

Are they definately sycamore roots or could they be from another tree? What is the diameter of the roots and how far above the ground do they stick up?

If you have any maple trees in the area they would more likely be maple roots. I know I have trimmed back some of the smaller roots on my sycamore without causing any visible harm. But I've not had any sticking up above the ground. If the area had washed out then yes they would probably be sycamore roots and it would be better to cover them back up.

[Bearfootfarm]

My old neighbor say to "just chop them out". "It won't hurt the tree".

I'd agree with him

[Darren]

Sycamores do not have a tap root. All of their roots run laterally near the top of the ground. Sycamores are useful in stabilizing creek banks. Often a stream will eventually undercut them but the laterals will continue to support the tree. If the trees could be undercut by the creek I'd leave the roots alone.

[Welshmom]

Could you fill the area between the roots with topsoil, then re-seed grass, so that it is level between the roots and you can drive over them easily?

[just_sawing]

Cut them
Water trees will grow from the root cutting.
Trees like a Oak has a limb hooked to each limb cut a root and a limb will die bur maples willows and sycamores are more forgiving

[fantasymaker]

This root is 40 FEET from the nearest trunk?
Go ahead sycamores have a very strong taproot and I cant think of anything that would be hurt much 40 feet from the main trunk.

[Fae]

I also have a sycamore tree that needs to have some roots cut but it is because they are running toward my house. I don't want to kill the tree but I also don't want those roots under my foundation. Darren and fantasymaker, which is it, tap root or no tap root. Serious question. I have no idea.

[Darren]

My source for tree root structures is Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America A Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers by Hightshoe. That's the only book that I know that provides the root structure of trees and shrubs. The book has a table that shows headings of shallow lateral, deep lateral and tap root. The sycamore is shown as having shallow lateral roots. In general any tree that can withstand prolonged flooding (they grow along a creek bank) has lateral roots. Otherwise the tree will "drown."

[fantasymaker]

In my experience digging out their stumps they tend to have 3 -5 LARGE main roots that extend strongly and with little branching for a few feet say 10 before dispersing a lot.
The richer and dryer the soil the fewer and the more vertical they will be.
If they are running towards your foundation Id run a deep trencher (8' deep) as close to the house As I could then lay a sheet of plastic in that trench to turn the roots.

[Fae]

Thanks for the information. I really love this tree and don't want to cut it. It is not only a pretty tree but also wonderful shade, which I don't have nearly enough of.

[Darren]

Fantasymaker brought up an important point. The age of the tree is going to determine how large and thus how deep the lateral roots will be.

Over time the roots will get larger obviously. The sycamores I have growing in an upland area on hillsides all have shallow roots. Taking them out with a tractor isn't hard. Once the tree is pulled or pushed over slightly, cut the roots with a saw, and do the same on the other sides. The water table is deep underground and there's no flooding yet the roots are still close to the surface.

[fantasymaker]

Darren is your soil shallow there? Your experience seems to be exactly opposite of mine. We are talking about the same thing aren't we? A big sorta white sorta spotted camouflage looking thing? Around here they get HUGE!

[oregon woodsmok]

Plant a whole bunch of daffodil bulbs between the roots and stop mowing there. Put in some assorted wildflower seeds that will provide blooms and feed for the bees all summer.