Q.Will Removing 8 Inches Of Top Soil Near Trees To Install Artificial Turf Damage Or Kill The Trees?
Will cutting the top soil to a depth of 8 inches, installing gravel and foam and artificial turf, to within two feet of three trees kill or harm the trees. I want to install a 25 X 25 area of artificial turf near some trees but do not want to kill the trees.

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
You may damage the feeder roots of the trees. Most of the trees' roots are within 6 to 12 inches from the top of the soil and are the trees' main nutrient supply. Digging in those can damage or even kill the tree.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/feeder-roots-of-trees.htm
Is it possible to stop the artificial turf at the end of the tree canopy? Then under the tree's canopy you can keep it mulched, the best thing to put under a tree.