Trees add shade, curb appeal, and property value, but when roots push up your asphalt they can create trip hazards and tire damage. Tree root damage repair is about balancing safety, pavement life, and tree health so your church parking lot or hotel driveway stays safe without losing every mature tree on site.
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Here are four practical ways to handle tree root damage to driveways and parking lots before it turns into a bigger structural problem.
1. Remove small roots
If sections of your church parking lot or hotel driveway are already heaving, fine roots are likely pushing up through the cracks. Cut out the damaged asphalt with a gas-powered asphalt and concrete saw. For detailed technique, see how to properly cut asphalt surfaces.
Trim small roots back carefully, then clean the area and fill with asphalt patch. Tamp or compact until solid. Early action like this can slow tree root damage repair from becoming a full depth replacement.
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Contractors can also soften the existing surface with an asphalt infrared heater, remove roots, then rework and compact the heated mix for a seamless patch.
2. Install a physical root barrier
Once the pavement is open and small roots are cut, a physical barrier helps prevent repeat tree root damage to driveways. Solid panels made of metal, fiberglass, or HDPE are installed vertically in the soil to redirect roots down and away from the asphalt.
Place the barrier between the tree and the pavement and face the open side away from the driveway or stalls. You can ring individual trees or build a continuous wall along the edge you want to protect.
3. Do not cut large roots
Big roots hold the tree upright and feed major limbs. Cutting them can weaken or kill the tree, which creates new safety risks if the trunk later fails. Instead, remove the damaged asphalt, gently expose the roots, and adjust soil so they are encouraged to grow downward. Combine this with a barrier for longer term control and better tree root damage repair results.
4. Seek advice from a professional arborist
If you do not know which tree is causing the problem or you are unsure how much root to remove, talk to a certified arborist. They can assess root structure, species, and health, then suggest a plan that protects people, pavement, and trees.
Tree root damage can often be avoided with good layout and spacing. When roots and pavement already meet, smart planning and careful repair help you keep shade and safety at the same time.
