When the Roots Let Go: Why Soil Becomes Unstable After Tree Removal

There’s a variety of reasons for a large tree to be taken down from a property. It may have developed a dangerous lean. It may be sick or even dead, or it may just be in the wrong place. Whatever the reason, removing a large tree can make the soil unstable. This is largely because of what happens to the roots after the tree is cut down.

The Roots Start to Decay

The roots of a large tree can be as large around as its canopy, and it can take a decade or more for them to decompose. As they do, they cause empty spaces in the soil, which can cause sinkholes and uneven areas on your property. You may notice cracks in your walkways or driveways or even in the foundation of your home. You might also see leaks in your crawl space or basement.

The Soil Swells Up

The canopy of a large tree stops rain from falling too hard and fast to the ground. At the same time, the roots take up the water that does reach the soil. Without this, the soil becomes waterlogged. The soil may swell during rainstorms and shrink during dry periods. If your home or other structure is sitting on this unstable soil, the foundation can be affected.

The Risk of Landslides

With nothing to hold it in place, the soil can erode, especially during hard rainstorms. If this happens on a hill, landslides are a risk.

What Can Be Done

Fortunately, there are things an arborist or lawn care specialist can do to manage soil instability caused when a large tree is removed.

• Grinding out stumps and as much of the root system as possible can help improve stability.
• A professional can install drains to remove the excess water that’s no longer taken up by the tree.
• Other types of plants can be put in place to take up water and stabilize the soil.
• If you’re thinking of building on the area where the tree was removed, you might want to wait for the soil to become more stable. Building too early can cause problems with the foundation.
• If the tree has been removed from a hill, you might consider installing stabilizing structures such as gabions. This prevents erosion and possible landslides.

The instability of the soil that occurs when a large tree is taken down may be inevitable, but there are ways to mitigate it. If you need a large tree removed from your property, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our skilled arborists at CBC Lawn & Tree of Lancaster, SC.