Lindens are dropping their leaves all summer long and exposed root looks strange

[kevincb]

I have 3 old Linden trees in my yard and one of the exposed roots is cut and the ground around it is dead. Have a crazy neighbor that said he is going to poison my shrubs i planted by the property line so I am wondering if he might be poisoning the Lindens or is this normal? Should I put dirt or mulch over the root or leave it open? The pic shows an old linden behind the new one I just planted.

 

[ATH]

How close to the trunk is that root?

If it is too close, I'd be concerned about the "anchor" of the tree being lost. If it is 20' away, I'd probably cut it level to the ground and put soil over it.

In the first pic, are we looking at the small tree that is in focus or the larger blurry tree? The small tree looks fine. Big one looks blurry...

 

[kevincb]

How close to the trunk is that root?

If it is too close, I'd be concerned about the "anchor" of the tree being lost. If it is 20' away, I'd probably cut it level to the ground and put soil over it.

In the first pic, are we looking at the small tree that is in focus or the larger blurry tree? The small tree looks fine. Big one looks blurry...

Here are more pics, these trees have a ton of exposed roots. Leaves dropping all over yard all summer, looks like it may be diseased or neighbor poisoning them? Woodpeckers on them too. Probably around 60 yrs old

 

[kevincb]

is stuff supposed to ooze out of exposed cut roots and kill the grass around it?

 

[ATH]

that is a cottonwood probably "normal" leaf drop.

 

[ATH]

shallow roots happen in compacted or hydric soil. cottonwood is adapted to wet sites so it tends to have shallow roots anyhow