Root Pruning

What This Service Involves

Roots that lift pavement, invade beds, or press against foundations can often be managed without removing the whole tree, and pruning ahead of a transplant dramatically improves survival. We locate and cut problem roots cleanly at the right distance, protecting the tree's stability and the structures around it. When preparing a shrub or tree to be moved, we root-prune a season in advance so a dense pad of feeder roots forms inside the future root ball. In shallow, moisture-rich Sound soils, precise cuts matter – we prune to redirect growth, not to destabilize the plant.

Benefits

Manages roots lifting pavement or invading beds; Protects foundations and hardscape; Preps plants for a higher-survival transplant; Encourages a dense feeder-root pad; Clean cuts that preserve tree stability

Our Process

1) Locate the problem or target roots by hand or air tools; 2) Establish a safe pruning distance from the trunk; 3) Make clean cuts and treat exposed roots; 4) Backfill, water, and monitor the response

What Affects the Cost

Root size and depth; Proximity to structures; Hand or air-excavation method; Transplant-prep vs. management goal; Number of roots and cleanup

Best Time of Year

Best performed in the dormant late-fall-to-early-spring window, especially a full season before a planned PNW transplant.