At mature shopping center properties, certain tree varieties will have root propagation between the pavement surface layer and the base course. If this is a one-off situation, our first solution is to surface mill the asphalt concrete layer and pave over the roots. This has a life of four to six years before the root distortion reappears (see the bottom photograph). At this time the roots must be severely pruned, or the trees removed.
If there are a series of mature trees and pruning may possibly injure the trees, we will have the landscape contractor provide an arborist for guidance on the root pruning. Possible outcomes are the pruning would not severely harm the trees or maybe the trees are removed.
Zimmer Consultants photographs