Maples Buried by Construction Fill: Emergency Root Flare Exposure

**2+ feet of fill dumped June–now = critical**. If **root flare is buried**, trees are suffocating.

Immediate Action

1. **Excavate to flare NOW**—hand tools, air spade if possible.
2. **Remove ALL fill** down to original grade at flare.
3. **Cut any girdling roots** cleanly.
4. **Grade away** from trunks.
5. **Mulch 3 in.** (not on trunks) over root zone.

Outcome

• **Flare visible now?** Good chance of recovery.
• **Flare buried since June?** Expect **spring dieback** (top-down). Some limbs may not leaf out.
• **No flare found?** Trees likely dead—remove.

**Reference:** UMN Extension Fill Removal Guide