Tree root systems are one of the leading causes of asphalt damage. That said, trees are also beautiful to look at, and provide us with oxygen. It can be hard to accept that as trees mature and become worthier of admiration, their root systems pose a greater threat to your asphalt driveway. However, trees are not the enemy, and we do not have to wage war with nature. Here are a few ways to minimize the damage caused to your asphalt driveway by tree root systems.
Tree root systems are one of the leading causes of asphalt damage. Here are a few ways to minimize the damage caused to your asphalt driveway by tree root systems.
Plan Ahead
Suppose you see a little sapling poking out from the soil, not too far away from your asphalt driveway. In a few years, this tree will likely grow exponentially in size and become much more difficult to eradicate. It is probably better to pull the tree now than to need professional tree removal and asphalt repair later down the line. In spite of the small size of a tree sapling, keep in mind that tree roots tend to spread horizontally, not vertically. A good rule of thumb is that the tree’s roots will spread up to five times its canopy radius. Depending on the species, this could be up to fifteen meters!
Educate Yourself
But not all trees are created equal. It pays to educate yourself about trees, both for the sake of your asphalt driveway and environmental stewardship. A particularly useful skill is tree identification. There are really only a few species of tree that are likely to spring up in a suburban setting, so this shouldn’t be too difficult. You should keep in mind the typical size that the species you are dealing with attains, and also whether or not it’s native. If you’re dealing with a Norway maple or white mulberry, for instance, you might want to consider removing the tree even if it does not pose an immediate threat to your asphalt. This falls under the umbrella of eco-friendly asphalt maintenance.
Control Those Roots!
Planning ahead might not always work out. There may already be a mature tree that is likely to cause damage to your asphalt. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to control root spread. Root removal can be performed without killing the tree. You can simply remove the offending root and allow those that do not pose a threat to your asphalt to continue to spread. There are also tree root barriers on the market, which can be inserted into the ground to stop a root from growing before it is too late. As a last resort, consider outright tree removal.
Contact M&D Paving Today!
Are you ready to start your next paving project? If you want professionals you can trust for high-quality concrete or asphalt paving, look no further than M&D Paving, Inc. We are a third-generation, family-owned and operated asphalt paving company serving the Maryland area. With over 35 years of experience, we are a licensed, bonded, and insured MHIC member. Contact us online or give us a call at (443)-820-3057 to get a free estimate today.
