Q: Maple trees surface roots are a problem, do Dutch Elm have a deep root system?

A: The type of tree you have is not as much a problem as is the hardness of the soil around the tree. Tree roots have to breathe. If the soil is hard, initial roots will grow just below the surface. As time goes on the roots grow bigger and you begin to notice them bulging above the soil surface. You might be tempted to lower the roots with an ax but this results in an open wound that will never heal. Removing the roots entirely takes away the tree’s anchoring system. The easiest fix is to cover the exposed root area with mulch.