I have just had an asbestos garage removed, and am having a shed put up in its place. The concrete base to the garage was cracked right through by my apple tree roots, the concrete has been removed and I cut off a very long root, 32" from the tree. The tree diameter is 13" @4.5 ft up. I realise that I have now hurt the tree. I had no idea, until investigating on the net. There is another much thicker root now exposed 4.5" diameter and I don't know how to handle this. I am thinking root barrier around this bigger root. I am mortified that I may have hurt my beloved apple tree.
Have I damaged it, and how can I help it recover?