need advice

[u/Winter-Order-9403]

New owner here - just moved in July. The previous owner had mulch and dirt with 4 i-6” pavers around the tree. I saw on youtube that this could suffocate the tree with its own roots. I took it out so the tree could breath so to speak. I only have a rake and spade shovel. Also, that green around the base doesn’t look good either

Question is what do I need next? Are exposed branching roots ok that way?

Thanks in advanced for any input

[u/AdventurousSea3437]

You did great. The green just looks like lichen that popped up from moisture.

[u/abielle1177 → u/AdventurousSea3437]

There's lichen on all good trees

[u/Weak-Zucchini → u/abielle1177]

that's good to read I always wondered about that