Spring is the time when many construction projects begin around the house and yard. If the job includes a change in grade near a tree, take care or you might kill the tree.

Changing the soil level around an established tree causes stress which might be fatal. Removing soil from the vicinity of the tree will destroy many of the feeder roots vital to the health of the tree. It could also eliminate some of the anchoring roots and make the tree vulnerable to wind damage.

Some species of trees are more easily damaged by changes in the grade of the soil in their root zone that involves adding soil on top of the ground so that the roots are deeper than desired by the plant.

Susceptibility of some trees to injury from grade changes:

• Bloom Failure
• Brittle Wood
• Cold Hardiness
• Drainage Problems
• Forsythia Not Blooming
• Grade Change
• Hosta Clump Dieback

• Hosta Drawstring
• Hosta Leaf Meltout
• Hosta Herbicide Damage
• Hosta Spring Damage
• Hosta Spring Dessication
• Hosta Sunburn
• Ice Damage to Trees

• Nutrient Deficiency
• Root Problems of Trees
• Shade Tree Decline
• Shallow Tree Roots
• Transplant Shock
• Wind Damage
• Winter Damage

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.