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Bob
Registered User
(1/18/02 12:34:33 pm)
Depth and spread of tree roots
I could do with some help please.

I am trying to find a web site that details information about the spread and depth of tree roots, but am having difficulty finding one.

In particular I am looking for information on the Silver Birch tree.

My problem is that I have a Silver Birch - about 12 years old now and about as high my two storey house. It is about 10 feet away from one corner of the house.

As I have some cracking in the house, I want to establish if it could be due to the tree roots.

Your help would be appreciated.

My Gardener
Registered User
(1/18/02 9:14:03 pm)
Re: Depth and spread of tree roots
Hello Bob,
Afraid its too close to the house, Silver Birch, (Betula pendula)can grow to 30m high and a(root) spread of 22.5 m. Could be the cause of the cracking but you do need an expert to look at it.
BUT regardless it is too close to the house and will cause future problems if its not doing so already
Good luck Alan

Alan Gould
Unregistered User
(1/20/02 7:52:36 am)
Tree Roots

Hopefully, Bob's Silver Birch tree can be root pruned on the side towards the house so as to prevent any damage to the building. That said, ten feet away from a dwelling is rather close to be planting any tree.

In general, root formation of trees can be thought of as being similar to their natural (i.e. unpruned) top growth. The roots may not grow in the same shape as the top, and they will often find their way towards water or high fertility areas, but the volume will be about the same.

Christine Ann image
Registered User
(1/20/02 9:43:43 am)
Re: Depth and spread of tree roots
I don't understand Bob, you've asked this question on the Message Board on this site, on the uk.rec.gardening newsgroup and now you've asked it again here. There have been answers on all the other sites, have you been back to read them? (BBC gardening haven't come up with any ideas tho - just to save you time looking!!)

Edited by: Christine Ann image at: 1/20/02 5:06:05 pm
Michele
Unregistered User
(1/24/02 9:55:54 pm)
Tree Roots and foundation cracks
Bob, strictly on the issue of whether the tree roots are causing cracks in your foundation, check with arborist bob wulkowicz who will give you very clear reasons why they do not (although this is counter to much published information and 'conventional wisdom'). some of his advice on this subject can be found in the forum at arborists.com, but for a detailed explanation, you might contact bob directly (you can do it from the arborists' forum) - brilliant man who's spent his life studying and understanding trees.


Michele.

Alan Gould
Unregistered User
(1/25/02 6:28:30 am)
Tree Roots

I would tend to agree with Michele in the case of the Silver Birch mentioned, but some trees such as poplars, willows and eucalyptus have very invasive roots indeed.
We are currently having severe problems with some very old poplars on our boundary blocking road drains just beyond. I have not read any of bob wulkowicz's work, but it sounds very interesting and I'll have a look at it.