Q: We excavated a trench for drainage near an oak tree. At the closest point, we are maybe 12 feet from the trunk of the tree. We did not break any roots larger than about 3/4 inch. Will the tree live ...

We don’t often think about the roots of trees until there is a problem. A forester friend of mine called it a “fencepost mentality.” Being underground, they are often out of sight out of mind. However ...