What to do with a tree's shallow roots?

[mtnbkr]

I have a beautiful cherry tree in my front yard.  Unfortunately, it's sending out a rather thick root right at ground level.  Not only does it ruin the yard, but it's heading in the direction of our concrete driveway.  Is there anyway to discourage it or remove it altogether without killing the tree?

Chris

[charby]

Email or call the Forestry Extension office for Virgina

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestry/Ext_ans.html

is the website to their contacts

Charby

p.s. Their Dean is my old boss.

[K Frame]

If it's a shallow rooting tree naturally, which I think that ornamental cherry is...

No. Not realistically.

[Stand_watie]

I'm not a botanist, but I've got a 3 dollar suggestion that will cost you all of three dollars (!) and a few minutes of labor to try.

Buy three, one dollar concrete pavestones at walmart (1.5 inch thick x 14 inches square). Dig a trench the thickness of the pavestones and the depth of the pavestones directly between the root and the driveway. Insert pavestones. Tamp down dirt and wait a couple years.

Either the root will turn or it won't. If it it does you've saved your cherry tree. If it doesn't you're out the cost of the pavestones and a few minutes labor.