Why it is treated differently
Roots do two jobs. Fine, shallow roots take up water and minerals and can be damaged and regrown. Large structural roots hold the tree against wind and carry its weight, and they cannot be replaced. Cut one of them and the tree loses a leg. That is why a trench next to a trunk, or an eager shave of a root beside a walk, can turn a healthy tree into a risk without changing its look for years.
The size of the zone is worked out from trunk diameter, and arborists use it to set limits on how close digging can go. We do not publish a figure because it depends on species and site.
Why it matters in Northern Nevada
Winter wind, wet snow and Zephyr gusts test anchorage. A tree that has had its structural roots cut by a trench, a driveway widening or a sewer line replacement may stand until the right storm. If digging is planned near a large tree, ask for an arborist's view first. See tree roots, sidewalks and sewer lines.
Call 811 before any digging so that utilities are marked.
What an arborist does about it
The arborist locates the structural roots by their position relative to the trunk, finds out what the project means for them and suggests alternatives: moving a trench, tunnelling under roots or digging by hand. After the work, a tree that has lost structural roots is watched, and a plan is made for the case where it must come down. If roots are already cut, a certified arborist should look before the next storm season.
Sources
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction (brochure) (read October 17, 2026)
- Call 811: Know what's below (read October 1, 2026)