Root Barrier for Trees

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The Factors Involved In The Depth of A Tree's Root Growth Is Important

If you think the depth of a tree's roots is only important to the tree and nature, you'd be wrong. The depth of your tree's roots will dictate the health of your tree and will allow you to protect your plumbing and utility systems from possible damage.

In general, tree roots will grow within 60 cm, or 23.62 inches, from the top of the soil. It's highly unlikely the roots will grow more than 6 feet deep as that would prevent the trees from getting the oxygen, nutrients, and moisture they need. That said, there are some trees like the Wild Fig whose roots have recorded depths of 70 meters or 229 feet, but that's rare. In this article, you will learn about the growth of a tree's roots.

Are Trees Roots As Long As the Tree Is Tall?

No, most tree roots, no matter the tree's height, will grow within 60 cm or 23.62 inches from the soil's surface. In some cases, the growth will depend on the species of the tree. For instance, drought-tolerant trees have a deeper root system as well as the condition of the soil they grow in. In other words, soil compaction matters more than the tree's height. Throwing out myths, the height of the tree does not come into play when discussing deep roots.

What Factors Are Involved In Root Growth?

There are several factors that come into play when it comes to root growth:

Spacing

Trees that are planted closer together are more likely to have less expansive roots. This is usually caused by competition from nearby trees.

Structure Of Soil

If a tree grows in soil that has bedrock near the surface, it will probably have shallow roots. It can develop wider roots as it searches for nutrients making up for the lack of depth.

The Compaction Of Soil

Roots have a rougher time trying to grow through compacted soil. Trees that grow in this kind of soil will have thicker roots but the roots will be fewer in number.

The Location Of Moisture

If there is a moisture source, trees will grow in that direction. In general, they are more likely to grow toward burst pipes and more likely to avoid dry areas such as the foundations of homes.

The Location Of The Barrier

If you place a barrier near a tree, it will hamper its growth. One of these barriers is the artificial root barriers, another includes rocks.

The Benefits That Come With Understanding Tree Roots

If you are concerned about the depth and/or length of a tree's roots, there are some things you need to know:

Once you understand how far a tree's roots can grow, you can figure out the safest distance to install your garden. Also, you can figure out whether installing a root barrier is a good idea or not.

Having knowledge regarding a tree's root system will help you find the perfect place for your plants.

Good For Planning Construction Or Installation Projects -

If you injure or harm a tree's roots it can cause the tree's health to diminish or worse yet, it can kill the tree. Always remember, roots are critical to a tree's survival.

If you are preparing to take on a construction or installation project, it's a really good idea to know how far a tree's roots will stretch or travel. Understanding this can help to reduce the chances of accidentally killing the trees on your property.

It's Critical To Keep Your Trees Healthy

If you know how deep a tree's roots will spread it can be beneficial in helping you calculate how to increase the tree's health. On top of that, having the knowledge needed for root growth will help you decide the perfect spacing needed for the trees. The right spacing will reduce competition among trees which can actually go a long way toward guaranteeing healthier trees.

Are There Trees That Do Not Have Invasive Roots?

Trees with invasive roots can be a big problem. They can damage your foundation, tear up your plumbing, and starve other plants in your garden.

If you are planning on placing trees near your home or near your garden, you should select trees with non-invasive roots.

Here is a list of trees that offer non-invasive roots:

• Dwarf Korean lilac
• Eastern redbud
• Japanese maple
• Crape myrtle
• Cornelian cherry dogwood
• Adams crabapple
• Boxwoods
• Glossy abelia
• Hollywood juniper
• Chinese pistache
• Trident maple
• Amur maple
• Dwarf orange tree

Cutting Roots

If you have roots that have already taken over, you can cut them off. However, you must show extreme care as some trees are very sensitive to their roots being cut back. Cutting off even the smallest section of roots can kill the tree.

Cutting off some tree roots should only be handled by a tree expert/arborist or under the guidance of these experts.

Tree Removal

If you have suffered from several root issues, dealing with the roots any longer might not be worth it. Having the tree removed might be your only option. You can always replace it with a tree that has non-invasive roots. Again, if it's a large tree, hire an expert to take the tree down. You could harm yourself or other people on your property.