I have a very old maple tree in my yard by the lake. The roots at the base of the trunk over the years have gotten closer and closer to the surface. Can I raise the land around the tree and rebury it.

Why would you want to do that ? That is where the maple tree wants to be and if it is really old, it deserves your patience.

Well my experience has been that somehow the roots always make it back to the surface.

Would it be OK to cut away roots to a maple tree that are above ground and in the middle of my yard ? These roots are making it difficult for my two little boys to play without tripping every 5 minutes.

You may kill the maple tree, although the tap roots would be well underground and the ones on the surface would not be detrimental to the health of the tree. I hate to say cut them out. Trees are precious to our environment now. They clean the air by providing oxygen. Maybe suggest your kids play away from the roots. After all, they do provide great shade. Seeing you cut away part of a tree would not be a good for the children to understand that trees are to be protected.

Sorry I can't say cut them away. It just isn't in me to suggest that.

I definitely wouldn't cut the roots. I've been researching this question because I also have a large maple with roots that is making it difficult to mow over with my riding mower. I just wanted to add some topsoil in the area but have been cautioned. It seems some maples will die if you add addition soil on top, while other will not. I'm not sure of the kind of maple tree I have so have been hesitate to proceed.

I have a very old maple tree in my yard by the lake. The roots at the base of the trunk over the years have gotten closer and closer to the surface. Can i raise the land around the tree and rebury it.

You could spread a 2-3 foot wide layer of mulch from around the circumference of the trunk. You could build a tree well of about the same circumference. This is built with stone or timber to no higher than 2 feet while the inner part close to the tree remains uncovered. You also could add about one eighth to one quarter inch of topsoil over the ground below the tree per year, with or without a tree well. Also the tree roots probably gradually raised from beneath the soil because of frequent or shallow watering. Thus the tree needs additional water other than nateral rainfall. Make sure it receives at least 2-2 1/2 inches of water per week and the roots will seek the water that sinks deep into the soil. The above ground roots may not retreat back into the ground. If they do not (pre-measure their elevation from a low point on the tree and compare it to another measurement about six to eighteen month later in intervals), prune one of the large above ground roots per year. Always thoroughly water the tree the day before pruning and again the day you finish pruning. If you regularly water the tree deeply you should not see anymore above ground roots. :D

Prune the roots. If the tree is healthy and you do it properly, maple trees tolerate root pruning. It is important to prune the roots far from the trunk. Iowa State University says to cut them three times the trunk diameter from the outside of the trunk. So a maple with a trunk diameter of two feet should be cut no closer than six feet from the trunk.

Good Luck!