Yes, a walk-behind trencher will easily cut through small to medium tree roots. However, its effectiveness depends on a few key factors:
Walk behind trenchers can be used for cutting roots
Tree roots can be stubborn and very difficult to cut through, but the blade on the end of a walk behind trencher acts as a rotary lawn mower blade. To cut through roots, you'll need to hold the blade in place and slowly inch forward to slice through the roots.
Yes, a trencher will easily cut through small, soft roots, but large or dense tree roots can stall the machine, damage its teeth, or severely harm the health of the trees.
Yes, trenchers can cut through rock, but only if you are using a machine equipped with a specialized rock chain, carbide-tipped teeth, or a circular rock wheel. Standard walk-behind trenchers designed for soft dirt or loose gravel will quickly bounce, stall, or strip their teeth if forced into solid rock.
Limbing saws have the right shape and teeth to cut roots, as does an electric Sawz-All with a long coarse blade. Be aware that soil does quickly wear out saw, axe, and hatchet blades. But for most digging jobs in root-infested areas, the Cutter Mattock and the Spud Bar will be what you want.
The best tools to cut tree roots depend on the root's size and accessibility. For roots underground, a reciprocating saw (like a Sawzall) fitted with carbide or pruning blades is highly effective. For larger, exposed roots, an axe or a specialized root-cutting tool works best.
For small to medium roots, use a sharp, pointed spade or a specialized serrated shovel (like the Radius Garden Root Slayer) to cut as you dig. For larger roots, clear the surrounding dirt with a trowel, then use a reciprocating saw (Sawzall) equipped with a coarse, long pruning blade.
The "5-4-3-2-1" rule is a common construction and excavation memory aid used to quickly recall critical OSHA Trenching and Excavation Safety standards. It dictates the mandatory requirements for entering and maintaining a safe trench environment.
Most walk-behind trenchers can dig to a maximum depth of 36 to 48 inches. Compact, lightweight models typically max out at 12 to 24 inches, while larger, high-horsepower units (like heavy-duty track trenchers) can reach up to 48 inches (4 feet).
When dealing with rocky soil, standard spades struggle to penetrate the ground and can easily snap. The best tools for breaking and levering out rocks are heavy-duty options like a pick mattock, a digging bar, or a trenching shovel.
To kill tree roots naturally and quickly, drill deep holes into the root or stump, pack them with coarse Epsom salt or rock salt, and soak with water. The salt draws moisture out of the root system, causing it to rapidly dry, die, and decay.
It takes 15 to 45 minutes of actual machine time to dig 100 feet with a motorized trencher. However, factoring in setup, utility locating, and cleaning up makes the total project time closer to 2 to 3 hours.
A root cutter tool is designed to slice through tough tree and shrub roots without damaging surrounding soil or landscape. The ideal tool depends on the project, ranging from manual serrated spades for garden beds to heavy-duty reciprocating saws and vertical axes for large roots.
Groundsaws are the fastest digging small trenchers on the market. Carbide bits cut right through tree roots and hard soils with our progressive biting blades. Great for: irrigation, LP/Propane Gas Lines, low voltage electrical, drainage, root pruning, and silt fences (erosion barrier).
Tree roots at the surface
It is tempting to cut these roots off to make mowing easier. A few small roots can be severed on well-established trees. Cutting or damaging roots larger than about one inch diameter could cause harm to the tree.
Standard homeowners insurance may only cover sewer line damage caused by sudden, accidental perils such as fire, explosion, or impact. Gradual wear, root intrusion, corrosion, or poor maintenance are typically excluded from standard policies.
From digging and moving dirt to cutting through rock, contractors know that these machines allow them to install utilities and irrigation fixtures quickly and efficiently. The most popular machines to cut a trench are walk-behind trenchers and stand-on skid-steers with a trencher attachment.
The following steps outline common problems and solutions to get your clay or trench digger back in action.
OSHA requires fall protection for trenches and excavations that are 6 feet or more in depth.
OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards
It is fairly typical to require the gap between the trench shield and trench sides to be no more than 3-6 inches. Alternatively, at least the lower portion of the trench shall be backfilled (if the gap is more than 3-6 inches).
Digging through rock requires the right balance of tools and technique, depending on the scale of your project. For small tasks like planting or setting posts, use hand tools like a San Angelo Digging Bar or a pickaxe to break the stone. For larger projects, power equipment such as a jackhammer or an excavator is necessary.
To quickly remove stubborn roots, expose them by digging a trench around the base and clear the soil underneath using a pickaxe or spade. Sever the roots using a reciprocating saw (sawzall) with a long wood blade, and pry the root ball out with a pry bar.
How long does it take tree roots to decompose? The amount of time it takes for tree roots to decompose will depend on the tree species. But generally, it takes between 5 and 10 years, and hardwoods take longer than softwoods.