AboutJim Hyland Expertise Registered Forester in the Southern US with 30 years experiance in managing pines. Expert in pine forest health from management to control of pests to ID of species.
Question I had some construction people putting in a fiberoptic line in my front yard wherein I have a bunch of pine trees. The cut the root systems of these pine trees really bad about 50% or more of the roots were cut - will these trees live or should they be cut down as I live in a hurricane region of South Florida
Answer generally if you cut more than 30% of the roots of a tree the foliage will die back on that side. Pines have a tap root and can stand a little more root damage. You will more than likely have some limbs on that side die but the tree will live. It will not compromise the strength as far as holding up the tree during high winds. I assume the trees were on the utility right of way. If not I would let the utility company who did the trenching know you expect them to pay for the tree if it should die. At least you will have on record that you know the tree was damaged so if it dies you maybe able to get compensation.
