Oak Decline After Paving: Root Damage and Recovery Plan

Asphalt Over Roots = One-Sided Scorch

Paving the driveway next to your oaks severed roots on that side. The brown leaf edges on the pavement side confirm it: root loss causes canopy dieback on the same side. Up to one-third of the root system can be lost without killing the tree.

The Good News

The damage is done; it won’t get worse. The tree should recover next spring if you support it now.

Fall and Spring Fertilization

• This fall: 10-10-10 at 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter, scattered and watered in (or apply before rain).
• Next spring: Repeat after full leaf-out.

This fuels root regeneration and restores canopy balance.