Fruitless Mulberry Surface Roots: Grinding Risks and Better Alternatives

An Albuquerque homeowner with a 12-year-old, 25-foot fruitless mulberry wants to grind surface roots interfering with mowing (under-watered due to restrictions).

Expert Verdict: Don't Grind

• Shallow roots are vital to tree health
• Grinding creates pathogen entry points
• No guarantee of survival—compromises tree's future
• Under-watering didn't cause the surface roots—species characteristic

Better Solution: Replace the Tree

Wrong tree for the location. Consider:

• NMSU Low-Water Large Deciduous Trees
• Ash, Chinese Pistache, Chinese Elm—better behaved root systems

Expert's Personal Experience

They have a 20-year-old mulberry—only "grow kids under it" (bare dirt, sandbox, swing). Accept the tree's nature or replace it.