tree roots

Another newbie question I'm afraid. I am clearing a space around a walnut tree which is in a border where there has been no weeding for years. As I hoe close to the tree the ground is fairly thick with roots at the surface. Could these be feeder roots for the tree? I'm going to mulch a space around the trunk of the tree and if these are not tree roots I will take them out. If they are tree roots I am anxious not to damage them. Is that enough information to get an answer?

 

It sounds as if they are tree roots but I don't think a hoe would damage them if it's a big tree. Can you see the roots ? Sometimes the tops of tree roots are visible and you can tell they belong to the tree.

 

The ground is pretty thick with roots. Not big tree roots but roots that are narrow diameter and flexible. My concern is that these would not be plant roots but smaller feeding roots coming off a bigger tree root. I can take a chance I guess as long as I am not going to damage the tree. I'm just trying to clear the area for laying down mulch and wanted to get perennial plant roots out.

 

Maybe a photo would help us if you can take one @TimGrayling

 

Good idea, I will have a go.

 

These are the roots.

 

Those look like some of the ground elder or bindweed (?) roots I find, but I'm not sure.

 

They don't look like roots from that tree, you could try tracing one of them back and see if it comes from the tree, but I doubt it is tree roots.

I don't think they are going to be easy to eradicate, if it was spring I'd suggest letting them grow some good foliage and then hit them with round up weed killer.

 

Whilst I am not fortunate enough to have a walnut tree in my garden I have a number of other trees and the roots tend to be brown, fairly inflexible when thick, but branching and getting thinner and more flexible until hair like (may also come direct from any size root), flexible and brown.

 

Yes, lots of people recommend round up but I've gone all natural, even to the extent of living with wasps nest in roof so they can take out the aphids. I shall not sweat it, therefore, and just remove what I can. I will follow them back as advised, thanks.

 

Ok, thanks for that. With a bit of luck they will be nothing to do with the tree.