root damage
Below-ground plant injury
Root damage refers to injury or harm to the underground root system of a plant, whether from physical disturbance, pests, disease, or environmental stress.
Construction projects, compacted soil, and overwatering commonly cause root damage in trees and shrubs.
The effects often appear above ground as wilting, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth: The oak showed signs of root damage years after the driveway was installed.
- nematodesCylindrical unsegmented worms
- parasitic plantsFlora drawing from hosts
- girdlingCircumferential bark removal
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
- waterlogged soilDirt saturated with moisture
excavation · beetle · soil compaction · erosion · larva · severing · crushing · viral diseases · drought · pesticide residue · frost heaving · salt buildup · fungal infections · heavy metal contamination · heat stress · hypoxia · nutrient · transplant
- neighbor disputesfence disputes, property lines, noise complaints, barking dogs, loud music
- tooth problemscavity, cavities, caries, tooth decay, crack
- wildfire aftermathdebris, embers, rubble, scorched earth, smoldering
- pest behaviorbiting, chewing, gnawing, burrowing, infesting
- pest damagewoodworm, defoliation, moth holes, frass, crop loss
- plant problemsiron deficiency, calcium deficiency, wilting, yellow leaves, potassium deficiency