I have a tree in my yard that has roots growing on the top of the ground. The tree itself is not very big but the leaves are very very large. For the last couple of years the roots have been growing on top of the ground heading toward my house. One of them is about 4 to 5 inches in diameter and I can't pull it up. If I cut the tree down will that kill the roots? I have a partial brick siding, can the roots grow under the brick and distrub my house's foundation?
If it has distrubed the foundation who should I call first for the least amount of money.

 

I will provide some suggestions that might help.I had just felled a tree early this spring and cut the stump down to the ground.Today,I had a guy (retired) that does stump grinding for exttra cash.Is the tree to large or to close to the house to cut down?If not It would be cheaper to fell the tree yourself and then cut as close to the grouund as possible then call a professional stump grinding service to grind the stump.They will grind the roots expecially if they are above the ground.You might Still see some sprouts later on as evidence that there is still some roots left as I did.I just today had to dig up some roots from a tree I felled two years ago due to sprouts above ground.BUT good news is if you want to spend the money there is root and stump killers on the market.I also had felled two pecan trees and the stumps are near a ditch.(no harm there) but a cheaper method of killing a stump is used motor oil.Get a cordless drill with the biggest bit 1/2 or 3/4" bit will work.drill about 1/2 way into the root to keep the oil from running through and pour the oil in.I change my own motor oil so this was a cheaper method and works like a charm.BTW,from the prices I have seen on stump killer it would even be cheaper to use new motor oil.It might take a few times but you might try drilling the roots to do the same.If you ahve a corded drill with extension cord would be better than a cordless drill.It kills the power on those batteries quick.Hope that helped.

OH,BTW,cutting the tree down will not kill the roots. My tree was about 16" across.I figure I'll have to kill my roots with the drill and oil method too.It didn't do any harm to the lawn.

 

The tree needs to go. Have a pro do it and tell them why, they'll take care of it. Putting new or used motor oil in the ground or a stump is ecologically unsound.

 

Likely also illegal to pour oil into a stump like this.

 

I'm with Mitch on the motor oil thing. Oil in the refined state we are talking about is NOT a natural product. It has been proven again and again that contaminants such as motor oil eventually work their way into the water table. Even small amounts of contaminants were detectable.

If you are not in a hurry, you can simply drill lots of holes in the stump and let nature take it's course. In a couple of years the stump will be rotted enough to knock apart with a sledge. I've done this with two maples and a large cedar in my yard.

Roots will eventually die after you cut down a tree as long as you don't allow them to send up new shoots. Again, it might take time.

 

Drill holes as stated above but instead of motor oil use Roundup. The roots will not survive.

 

I always used a product called Stump Rot. I don't know if it's still available. It's been quite a few years since my Mother Earth years.

 

My buddy turned his stump into a temporary fire pit. At times the fire kept smoldering and worked it's way deep into the ground.