Lifted drives and paths
Surface roots lifting paving and tarmac as they thicken. Small roots can often be cut; big structural roots near the base can't without making the tree unstable.
Root inspections Roots near your house, drive or drains
Roots lifting paving, close to foundations or near drains? We look at where they run, what is safe to cut, and the options to fix the problem without making the tree dangerous.
Next free quote visits, live from our diary
Free visits Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- 5.0 on Google, 50+ reviews
- NPTC, City & Guilds & Lantra
- £5M insured
Root inspections in short
A root inspection looks at how a tree's roots are affecting the ground around it, and how safe it is to work on them. We check the root plate and surface roots, the damage to drives, paths, walls and drains, the tree's species, size and distance from buildings, and whether the tree is protected. We then explain the options, from cutting back a small surface root to crown reduction, root barriers or, as a last resort, removal, and what each means for the tree's stability.
- We check
- Root plate, surface roots, damage, distances and species
- We advise
- What can be cut safely, and what can't
- Options
- Root pruning, barriers, crown reduction, repairs or removal
- Protected trees
- TPO and conservation area rules checked first
- Subsidence
- We explain when a specialist investigation is needed
Common root problems
Roots near drains
Roots don't usually break sound drains, but they find their way into cracked ones. We tell you whether the tree is likely to be the cause.
Close to the house
Trees close to buildings on shrinkable clay soils can contribute to subsidence. We explain the risks and when a structural survey is needed.
Building work
Extensions, driveways and new paths near trees need root protection, or the tree can die years later. We advise before work starts.
Why roots can't just be cut
The roots that hold a tree up are the ones nearest the trunk.
Cutting a large root close to the stem can leave a tree unstable or let decay in, and a tree that looks fine can fail in the next storm. That is why root work needs an arborist's judgement, not just a saw.
On the visit we look at which roots can be cut, where, and how much, and whether pruning the crown first would make it safe. If the tree is protected, we make the application before any roots are touched.
Root inspections questions
Anything not covered here? Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer.
Can I cut the tree roots lifting my drive?
Sometimes. Small surface roots well away from the trunk can usually be cut. Large roots near the trunk can't without risking the tree's stability. We'll tell you which is which.
Are tree roots damaging my house?
Roots rarely damage foundations directly, but trees can contribute to subsidence on shrinkable clay soils. If you see cracking, we explain when a structural survey is needed.
Do I need permission to cut roots?
If the tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area, yes, root work needs consent or notice like any other work. We check and apply for you.
Can you remove roots after a tree has been felled?
Yes. Stumps and roots can be ground out with our tracked stump grinder.
Do we cover you?
Based in Ferndown, covering all of Dorset, all of Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire.
Check your postcode
Five stars, every time
What customers across Dorset and Hampshire say after the job is done.
5.0
50+ Google reviews
Tree down? Call now.
Storm damage, fallen trees and dangerous limbs. Fast response across Dorset and Hampshire, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Book your free quote visit
Choose the job, pick a time from our live diary and tell us where. No payment and no obligation.
- You pick a timeOnline, in about a minute. Visits run Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- We visit and look properlyA qualified arborist checks the trees, the access and whether any consent is needed.
- You get a written quoteA clear, fixed price with no hidden costs. The price quoted is the price you pay.
- NPTC
- City & Guilds
- Lantra
- £5M insured
- BS3998
Want to ask something first? Send us a message and we reply within 24 hours.
Contact usTree down or dangerous? Call 01202 022560, 24 hours a day.
Book a free quote visit
Free No obligation About a minute
- 1The job
- 2Day and time
- 3Your details
What would you like?
Type of work tick all that apply
Pick at least one, so we turn up with the right kit.
Not a booking?
Pick a day, then a time. These come straight from our diary.
You're booked in
We've got your quote visit down and we'll see you then. A member of the team will be in touch if we need anything before the visit.
Preview only: nothing was sent. On the live site this goes into your diary exactly as the bookings page does.
Need to rearrange? Call 01202 022560.
Fallen tree, storm damage or a dangerous limb over a road, roof or power line? Don't book a slot. Call us now and we'll get to you fast, day or night, 365 days a year.
01202 022560 Call nowFill this in and we'll reply within 24 hours.
Message sent
Thanks. We reply to every enquiry within 24 hours.
Preview only: nothing was sent. On the live site this posts to your diary script and then goes to your thank-you page.
NPTC, City & Guilds and Lantra qualified. £5M insured. Your details are never shared.