This lawn maintenance habit can expose tree roots to harmful pathogens.
It’s not uncommon for your lawn or backyard to also feature trees. Generally speaking, those trees are likely out of the way and not in your direct mowing path, but sometimes you may have a tree with exposed roots and grass that needs to be trimmed.
But before you take your lawn mower and go right over the roots, take this advice from the experts. We learned why mowing over exposed roots can harm the tree, as well as tips for keeping exposed roots safe, healthy, and looking neat.
Meet Our Expert
- Sam Klopfer, land manager at The Dawes Arboretum and certified grounds technician through the Professional Grounds Management Society
- Brandon Seymour, owner of Floridist Sod Installation & Lawn Fertilization and a member of the Palm Beach chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association
Related: Why Tree Roots End Up Above Ground (and When You Should Worry)
How Mowing Over Tree Roots Harms the Tree
Mowing over exposed tree roots might seem harmless but can have real consequences for the tree itself.
It Can Expose the Tree to Pathogens
When you go over tree roots with your mower, there’s a chance the blades hit exposed roots, causing undue stress for the tree. On top of that, the cuts the roots sustain can allow pathogens, fungal infections, and pests to harm the tree, since they’re essentially open wounds, says Sam Klopfer, land manager at The Dawes Arboretum…