English: Plant root growth is one example of mechanical weathering, also known as disintegration, whereby rocks break down into smaller pieces, but with no change in composition or mineralogy. Other mechanical weathering processes are abrasion, frost / ice action, temperature changes, pressure release, salt crystallization, and animal burrowing.

As trees grow next to sidewalks, the enlargement of their roots often breaks apart the concrete, resulting in uplifted slabs. In natural settings, tree roots can grow into cracks in rocks and slowly break them apart.

Locality: sidewalk just north of the Rhodes Center, Columbus, Franklin County, central Ohio, USA