Here are some more pics to give context (and to make clear it doesn't always look as awful as it does right now... but we've definitely got more mud, etc. than in previous springs... maybe grass/moss will fill in better than I think based on the mud and roots I'm looking at right now?) As you'll see from the photos (many in the very kind late afternoon light), there WAS some grass -- mostly junk stuff but green, nonetheless -- last spring (these photos were taken in late May), so I may get that again this year. But if you were up close and personal, you'd see mostly roots, with tufts of grass sprinkled about. So what I think you all are saying is ... live with it. Put a bench, maybe tuck some ferns, spread some mulch (how about that 50/50 compost-mulch blend the local farmer offers?) Or take the tree down, which we'll do when we have to but NOT until. It is spectacular in the autumn! And home to many birds, source of shade, generally an asset (except for those roots). Surprisingly not a problem for the well -- and Ken, the septic field is out in the meadow, behind the barn. Probably several thousand feet from this tree (whew!!) So here are pics, so you'll know it's actually a gorgeous setting despite the dreary winter-devastation pictures! Ken, here's the view past that split-rail fence and the road, to the house across from us. The trunk you can see is the culprit maple in our front yard...the "view" is lovely (that hazy golden light behind her house is an 8-acre meadow). I'm having trouble visualizing a bench in the front yard but I suppose there's no reason not to have one -- we have cedar benches in the butterfly garden and on the patio in back. And this shot shows the area around the tree last May: Also, I should say that we have ... anticipating we will lose these trees eventually ... already planted a young Acer rubrum "Red Sunset" and an Acer triflorum, both from the NW Conservation District sale, at some distance from the existing trees (on the edge of the meadow and "upslope" between the drive and the street). Hope they will do well (not sure it's a good location for the triflorum but I think it doesn't get as large as most maples?) Thanks all for the thoughts and ideas ... when I look out there right now, it is so depressing, but when I look at these photos from last May, I know that GREEN will help a lot!! (We are still experimenting with the front beds, which were filled, when we bought the house 4 years ago, with "deer candy" that we removed. Because it's so dry under that house overhang, it's been a devil to find anything that's deer-resistant that will grow in dry shade. So far the hostas and leucanthoe have weathered it. The andromeda not so well. A work in progress...!

Thanks, gardengal. I think you may be right that the tree was deeply planted. We've never seen a skirt of larger, exposed roots. I have tried to pull dirt and mulch away from the trunk, but it's really tight with roots and almost impossible to do. If you look closely, you can almost see the line on the trunk where the mulch used to be, a couple of inches above where it is now. I don't think I can get the dirt/mulch level any lower, really. Overall, the mulched area is probably only a few inches higher than the surrounding lawn. On your advice, today I added a little compost and a light layer of mulch over those exposed feeder roots. I may post again when I get the soil test results. Thanks again!

you need to help the tree procede as it would if it was left in the wild...let it go dormant..... to survive the winter keep the soil damp- not wet. no fertilization till spring light of some importance but temp around 40F is the the most important thing (along with soil moisture)

Thanks for the replies... Toronado... I am just west of Atlanta, GA. Zone 7/7B. Soil is heavy red clay, slightly acidic. The location is full sun, and actually part of the reason for this tree it to provide shade for a Crimson Queen that has been roasting in full sun for years. it is surviving, but far from thriving. Ken... All good points. I wasn't sure what the easement was, yeah had not thought of that. This line in question would only effect us, as it is from pole to our house only. Which of course means in a storm we would be the only ones out on the street, and last to repair. A definite consideration. I think the problem has resolved tho. I was luckily able to reach Sooner Plant Farm, and they will be shipping me a 5 gallon Shantung Maple Fire Dragon in a month. From what I hear (and see) this tree is outstanding. Gorgeous red fall color, smaller/shorter... reaching 30' X 30' or so at maturity, excellent resistance to storm damage, and has a more branching type natural style rather than single leader. A perfect smaller maple to bonsai train... at least initially for the shape I need. Really looking forward to trying this. I will update as things go, starting with a pic after planting. Also attaching a cpl pics of fire dragon for any that have not seen one.