Shaving exposed tree root- can I?

The action of cutting on a trees exposed roots presents an opportunity for diseases to attack the tree and impact the overall health. This is no different than any other injury to a tree. If your want an expert opinion, consider consulting an arborist about your issue.

Have you considered adding loam (top soil) to the lawn, particularly in the most exposed area, to raise the lawn up the one or two inches all along the exposed root? This would be a way to level the lawn and protect the tree's health. While this is the slow route to repair the problem, there are articles on the subject and discussions on managing the issue this way. Per research, the maximum amount of loam (top soil) placed over the exposed root or roots should be only about two inches so the root can still provide the nutrients the tree has been receiving. Check the included links for more information on this alternative method regarding exposed tree roots.

The following is an excerpt from a 2009 blog post; located in Michigan,, they had your tree root issue.

"My solution was top soil. I knew that I couldn't risk taking out a bunch of roots without the risk of having trees fall during a wind storm. Most of my trees in the problem areas are quite healthy and are very nice to look at during the Summer and Fall (Maple). Cutting the roots and digging them out could do serious harm to the trees. If I dug up the roots I would also damage the existing lawn so I took what I considered was the best approach for my situation. I brought in a bunch of top soil and lightly covered the exposed roots with around 1/2 inch of top-soil. I waited until the existing grass grew through the new soil and was well established, then I added another 1/2 inch of top-soil. I kept this up for two seasons. Eventually I ended up with nicely covered roots and a nice looking grassy area where the roots were."

Tree roots are no different from tree limbs. If a limb were blocking, one would prune it off. Roots are no different. But I would chose a better tool than a sander. I would use a sharp cutter-mattock and chip it down to below the soil level.

Do NOT touch it...just leave it be! If you use a belt sander - you could KILL the tree.