Tree roots don't literally "come up for air." Instead, they grow where oxygen is available in the soil. When young roots encounter impenetrable heavy clay, they spread horizontally near the surface. As the tree matures, these roots increase in diameter, gradually pushing upward. Soil erosion around roots accelerates the process.
Feeder roots at the tips remain underground where moisture and nutrients exist. The visible surface roots are structural, not absorptive.
Prevention: when planting a tree, thoroughly loosen soil in a 10-foot diameter circle around the planting hole. This encourages deep root development from the start, reducing future surface root problems.
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