Is it bad if tree roots are visible above ground?

It can be quite alarming to see tree roots poking up out of the ground, especially if this happens suddenly. Fortunately, seeing tree roots above the ground isn't always a sign that something is wrong with your tree. Some of the most common tree species in Minnesota, such as oaks and maples, often have roots that naturally appear above the surface of the ground. However, in some circumstances, tree roots may become visible due to an issue afflicting the tree or the landscape.

Oftentimes, tree roots appear out of the ground because of soil erosion or compaction. Soil erosion exposes tree roots by causing the soil around them to fall away; soil compaction exposes tree roots by forcing them to grow out of the ground because it is too difficult for them to stay submerged. If tree roots become exposed due to issues with your landscape soil, you may need to implement a solution, whether that's aerating your lawn to break up soil compaction or installing barriers to keep soil erosion in check.

In other cases, roots begin poking out of the soil because they're not getting enough air, water or nutrients and are desperate for more. If soil compaction isn't the cause, this might happen because your landscape has too many trees and the roots are competing fiercely for resources. It might also be the result of insufficient nutrients in the soil, which can be corrected by applying fertilizer.

If roots have begun appearing above the soil and you're not sure why, it may be best to ask for advice from a professional arborist. Contact Pro Tree today if you want to schedule a consultation with one of our arborists in the greater Twin Cities area!