roberthathaway7
ArboristSite Member
It's going to make me cry a little if I do it, but it has been requested that I grind some surface roots down so a lady can mow without hitting the them. I know it would be great to leave them alone, but this is what she wants. I've seen billions of roots that have been planed by a lawn mower and healed fine, so I was wondering what anyone's thoughts were on taking an electric hand planer to her surface roots and then slapping some pruning paint on them? I figured the smooth cut of the planer would allow for quickest healing. We're looking at 35-40 foot tall gums, prob 18'' diameter. Also, it is my grandmother, and I've had to do several things for her that I tell her she can't tell "ANYone who did this," hahaha, so liability isn't a problem in this case. Plus she says if it kills the trees at least she won't have to pick up the gum balls. It's a pretty legitimate thought on her part because she likes to mow but can't handle the weedeater much. And she likes to have things just so, so she can't wait for me to come around with a weedeater every once in a while. How ok is it to do this? Is there a better (like lesser of two evils better) time of the year to do this? I've actually had several customers approach me about this and I tell them I don't know how risky it is and can't take the chance of killing a tree when I don't know how harmful it will be. Btw I have a lawn mowing business not a tree business so don't get too worried about a tree service guy out there doing work and asking about such questionable practices, lol.