Tree Roots and Your Property: What You Need to Know
Tree roots are often out of sight, but they play one of the most important roles in a tree’s survival. Roots provide stability, absorb water and nutrients, and store energy. Without a strong, healthy root system, even the tallest tree cannot thrive.
In urban settings like Calgary, however, tree roots sometimes cause challenges. They can lift sidewalks, crack driveways, and encroach on foundations. When this happens, homeowners are left with a difficult question: how do you protect your property without harming your trees?
How Tree Roots Grow
One of the most common misconceptions is that tree roots grow deep, like a mirror image of the branches above. In reality, most roots grow outward, spreading far beyond the canopy. In fact, roots often extend two to three times the height of the tree.
This wide-reaching system is designed to capture water and nutrients from a broad area. But in compact urban yards, those same roots may encounter obstacles like pavement, fences, or buildings.
Why Roots Become a Problem in Calgary
Calgary’s environment adds unique challenges for root systems:
Soil Compaction – Common in residential areas, compacted soil limits downward root growth. Roots are forced closer to the surface, where they may disrupt sidewalks or lawns.
Limited Space – Narrow boulevards, small front yards, and close property lines leave little room for roots to spread naturally.
Chinooks and Drought – Rapid freeze-thaw cycles and dry summers stress root systems, sometimes leading to shallow growth as trees seek moisture.
When roots grow near or above the surface, they can create tripping hazards, damage property, or conflict with underground utilities.
Why Cutting Roots Is Dangerous
It may seem tempting to cut problem roots to save a driveway or sidewalk, but this “solution” often creates far bigger problems:
Loss of Stability – Major roots act as anchors. Cutting them can destabilize the tree, making it more likely to fall in storms.
Reduced Water and Nutrient Uptake – Severing roots decreases the tree’s ability to feed itself, leading to canopy thinning, stress, and decline.
Increased Risk of Disease – Fresh cuts underground create entry points for pathogens and decay.
Sudden Failure – In some cases, cutting a critical root can cause a tree to fail within months.
Rather than attempting DIY fixes, homeowners should consult a professional for safe, long-term solutions.
Professional Solutions for Root Problems
An ISA Certified Arborist can evaluate your tree and recommend strategies that balance tree health with property safety. Options may include:
Root Barriers – Installing physical barriers underground to redirect roots away from sidewalks or structures.
Selective Root Pruning – Carefully removing small, non-structural roots to minimize impact on the tree’s stability.
Soil Care and Aeration – Relieving compaction so roots can grow downward instead of surfacing.
Species Selection – Choosing trees with less aggressive root systems when planting near structures.
Long-Term Planning – Advising on planting locations that prevent conflicts decades down the road.
These strategies protect both your investment in your trees and the integrity of your property.
Preventive Planning: The Best Strategy
When it comes to tree roots, prevention is always easier than correction. Homeowners planning new plantings should:
Consider Mature Size – Plant trees far enough from sidewalks, driveways, and buildings to allow roots to spread naturally.
Choose the Right Species – Some trees, like willows and poplars, are notorious for aggressive roots. Others, like amur maples or smaller ornamentals, pose fewer risks in confined spaces.
Think Ahead – A small sapling may seem harmless, but in 20 years, its roots could extend across the entire yard.
By making smart choices today, you can avoid costly conflicts tomorrow.
Signs of Root Issues to Watch For
Even without digging, there are clues that roots may be causing problems:
Sidewalk or driveway slabs lifting unevenly.
Exposed or raised roots creating tripping hazards.
Cracks forming in nearby foundations or retaining walls.
Trees leaning unexpectedly after storms.
Declining canopy health with no clear above-ground cause.
If you notice these symptoms, schedule an inspection with a Certified Arborist before attempting repairs.
The Bottom Line: Protect Both Trees and Property
Tree roots are critical to stability and health, but in Calgary’s urban environment, they can create conflicts with infrastructure. Cutting roots is rarely the answer—in fact, it often creates dangerous and costly problems.
With professional guidance, homeowners can find solutions that preserve both their trees and their property. Preventive planning, smart species selection, and arborist-led strategies like root barriers and soil aeration are the keys to long-term balance.
With the right care, you don’t have to choose between tree health and property safety—you can protect both.
