Flowering Pear Surface Roots & Pavers: Root Pruning Limits & Barriers

8-yr-old flowering pear (25 ft) has surface roots 3 ft out where pavers are planned. Owner cut 9″ deep on two sides—likely >25% root loss.

Root Loss Consequences

• Expect foliage dieback on cut sides next spring.
• Tree may survive but with asymmetric crown.
• Water weekly until freeze to reduce stress.

Better Approach for Pavers

1. Add 2–3″ sand over roots (drains well).
2. Lay pavers on sand—no root cutting.
3. Or install root barrier (trifluralin fabric) along paver edge.

Root barriers divert roots downward; one-time install, years of protection.