Help needed with water maples!!!!!!

[kentucky_redneck]

Hey guys I have a question for you. In my yard we have water maples, they are pretty big in size. The roots have started growing up and sticking out and running on top of the ground. There is one spot where it stoped my riding mower last year, and I had to back up and go around.
What I'm wanting to know is can i haul in dirt and cover them, and will the tree love or die if I do that?


Thanks in advance

[ncboman]

I think the tree you describe is a silver maple.

Many lawn mowers are ruined by the roots every year and the sap drop in spring really messes up a car parked under them. Several years ago I cut down the silver maple I had growing out back due to the aggravation and to make room for more useful trees.

I don't know if covering the roots will kill them but I do know some oaks can be killed by smothering the roots.

Maples make good firewood. ;D

[kentucky_redneck]

Thanks Boman, I think we are going to cut them down also and plant back something else.