A driveway expansion or new patio often means cutting through some roots along the way, and it's easy to assume a tree that looks fine the following spring came through it okay. The real damage sometimes doesn't show up for two or three years.
Roots cut too close to the trunk, or too many roots removed on one side, compromise both the tree's stability and its ability to take up water and nutrients. The decline shows up gradually, thinning canopy, dieback on the side where roots were cut, increased lean.
Planning root-sensitive construction ahead of time, or having a professional assess which roots can be safely cut, protects a tree that would otherwise take years to show it's in trouble.
Have any construction or hardscaping projects happened near trees on your property in the last few years?
#TreeHealth
Photo of a tree near a driveway, patio, or recent construction project, or a crew member assessing a root zone. Authentic property photography preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "That New Patio Might Be Hurting Your Tree" or "Root Damage Doesn't Show Up Right Away"