Surface Roots on Red Maple: To Cover or Cut?

Managing Exposed Roots on a 10-Year-Old Red Maple

A red maple has fine roots emerging above a 6-inch "dirt collar" (planting mound). Owner asks whether to add soil or cut roots.

Why Roots Surface

• Tree roots grow in top 12–24 inches; some species (maple) naturally surface.
• Mounding at planting can exacerbate this as soil settles.

Do NOT Cut Roots

Cutting causes canopy dieback proportional to roots lost. Roots = water/nutrient uptake.

Do NOT Add Heavy Soil

Clay/topsoil compacts, suffocating roots. >4 inches kills roots.

Best Fix: Add Sand

• Spread 2–3 inches of coarse sand over exposed roots.
• Sand drains well, doesn’t compact, allows gas exchange.
• Grass grows through it easily.

Collar Not the Problem

The mound didn’t cause this; maple genetics did. Sand cover is a permanent, safe solution.