Roots are the underappreciated life-support of trees. They’re in charge of storing the nutrients trees need to stay healthy, and anchoring trees into the ground so they can continue to thrive and grow.

But let’s face it: no matter how wonderful roots are, it sure is a pain when they creep up past the soil surface and start to grow above ground. Exposed tree roots aren’t just unappealing to look at, they make it tough to landscape your yard and leave your trees vulnerable to damage.

When you’re dealing with above-ground roots, protecting your tree from damage should be a top priority. The real risk comes from surface roots being damaged by lawn mowers or other machinery. When exposed roots are wounded, the tree is more vulnerable to a disease or insect infestation. Plus, the healing process can take quite a long time, and trees need extra care to regain their strength. Luckily there are a number of ways you can cover above-ground roots to keep your yard appealing and your tree protected.

If you don’t like the look of surface roots, cover them up! Low maintenance, shade-loving ground cover plants will both camouflage the roots and add charm. Plants like periwinkle, Japanese spurge, Asiatic jasmine and wild ginger are all great options.

Also, protecting above-ground roots with mulch has dual benefits—you can shield the roots from damage and conserve moisture in the soil at the same time.