For homeowners
Can I dig, pave or build under a large tree?
Short answer
Be careful. Most feeding roots are in the top soil, and digging, trenching, adding soil or paving over them can harm or kill a tree, sometimes years later. Keep heavy work outside the root zone where you can, and ask an arborist before you start.
By Umair Nawaz. Published October 25, 2026. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
The longer answer
Many people think roots are deep like a carrot. In truth, most of a tree's active roots are shallow and spread wide. Cutting a trench, piling several inches of soil over them, driving trucks across them or paving them can starve or break them.
A common way to protect a tree is to set a fence around a root protection zone before building starts. Our critical root zone tool gives a starting estimate based on trunk size. It is a rough guide, not a rule for every species.
If you must dig, an arborist can suggest hand digging, tunneling under roots or other ways to cut less. Call 811 before any digging.
City rules may also protect some trees during building, so check with your local office. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
More answers for homeowners
- Can I grow a tree from a seed or a cutting?Read the answer
- Can I keep the wood after tree removal?Read the answer
- Can I prune my own trees or should I hire a pro?Read the answer
- Can I prune my tree in the summer?Read the answer
- Can I put storm debris in my regular trash or burn it?Read the answer
- Can I remove a tree near my pool?Read the answer
Hiring a tree service?
Plain guides for homeowners
Safety first: stay away from downed power lines and call the utility; call 911 if anyone is in danger. Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
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