Digging a hole about 10 yards from a tree and roots.

Enter Username Here · 06-05-2026 06:30PM #1

I have a tree I let grow (random wild) about 15 maybe years old. I think it is a birch or beech - are they the same?

Anyway, I was starting to dig a hole about 10 yards from it and there are thin roots near the surface. How much damage would I cause to the tree if I was to amputate them?

It is possible to avoid that, but it would make things more difficult going forward. The hole is about 2ft x 2ft.

Would the tree be okay?

looksee · 06-05-2026 08:09PM

No, birch and beech are not the same. However, go ahead, you will not harm the tree if that is the extent of the hole. Just snip them off.

The Continental Op · 06-05-2026 08:48PM

Ideally cut the roots cleanly with a pair of secateurs rather than hack them with a spade. No issue for the tree at all. Just look how close then get to trees when utilities dig the roads up. However there does come a point when you will damage the tree but you are miles away from that.