Rowan Tree Root Removal

matthew.montgomerie1

Hi,

I'm doing a small-scale landscape project in my garden which is involving a leveling of soil in proximity to a well established Rowan tree of indeterminate age (8 -10m tall, 30" diameter) There is 1 issue though, 80" from the base of my tree (where I am levelling the soil) is a surface root 3" in diameter which I need to prune so that I can achieve a level soil where I shall be placing slabs. I've heard that Rowan trees are quite hardy, would I be quite alright to prune this root without damaging the tree? I've read that you can safely prune a trees roots a distance 3-5 times that of the tree diameter...my pruning requirement would fall just short of this.

Would anyone have any thoughts on this matter, a single root pruned from a well established tree?

Kind regards,

Matthew

K67

 It's the small feeder roots that the tree relies on as the larger ones are for stability so wouldn't think removing just one would do any harm as it's well established not newly planted.

What did you intend to do if you can't cut it?

matthew.montgomerie1

I was going to raise the soil, but this would look out of place with the rest of the garden. So was proceeding with caution. 
Thanks for the reassurance!

K67

Pinched it from this thread
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1052227/tree-root-in-lawn