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Pond Near 60-ft Spruce: 25% Root Loss Tolerable

Roots extend 1.5× branch spread (11-ft radius → ~16.5 ft). Digging a pond 5–6 ft from trunk removes ~25% of roots if within that circle. Tree survives but may lose limbs on excavation side.

Minimize Impact

Keep pond edge as far from trunk as possible.
Excavate cleanly—no machinery on root zone.

Closer = more dieback. Design around the tree.

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