I have chopped the roots that cross my lawn with the mower many times, there are now bug holes all over the large roots and a lot of damage, there are several above ground and 10-12 feet long. Is my tree now going to die from the damage? This is a huge evergreen maybe 150 ft high. Also how large of a root can you cut off a tree and not hurt it? My french drain ran into a root about 10 inches across could I cut that?

Hi, Smee (like that name) All trees have tap roots, they are called tap roots cause that's where they get their nutrients from deep water, etc. No your tree won't die. It has many roots all over if its an old tree, as you say l50 ft. high.

Thanks a bunch for the helpful answer Tickle! Lol Like that name too!
Since it won't kill it would it OK to cut out these few roots in the yard I notice parks have a lot of these type of roots and they leave them. Somehow they don't chop them up like I have done though! I really tried not to but ran over them so many times in the last 4 years we have lived here.

I have them too, smee, and I leave them. I know they are a pain to work around but only create some ambience to the lawn and yard, so I think. If you hack them out you will only make an unsightly mess. Try on to see what I mean and I don't think you will be bothered by the others.