Q. I have a 15-year-old ash tree in my backyard and roots
are pushing up the brick walkway. Would it hurt the tree if I took up the brick
and cut the roots off before they grow under the brick? The walkway is about
six feet from the tree.
are pushing up the brick walkway. Would it hurt the tree if I took up the brick
and cut the roots off before they grow under the brick? The walkway is about
six feet from the tree.
A. It shouldn’t be a problem that far from the tree but
let me tell you how I make that determination.
let me tell you how I make that determination.
I look at where water is being
applied to the tree. Tree roots will grow toward water. They will grow more
aggressively where there is more water and fertilizer. They grow less
aggressively in and toward dry areas.
applied to the tree. Tree roots will grow toward water. They will grow more
aggressively where there is more water and fertilizer. They grow less
aggressively in and toward dry areas.
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| Roots of fan tex ash |
At a distance of 6 feet away
from the trunk there should be no problem at all unless it is getting all of
its water mostly from the area where roots are being cut. If tree roots are getting
water from multiple locations then there should be no problem at all if you
remove these roots.
from the trunk there should be no problem at all unless it is getting all of
its water mostly from the area where roots are being cut. If tree roots are getting
water from multiple locations then there should be no problem at all if you
remove these roots.
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| Roots of ash surfacing in a lawn |
Cut the roots in that area which
are growing to a depth of 12 inches. After cutting them, sanitize the cut ends
of any large roots that have been cut with soap and water. Let the cut ends of
the roots dry and heal for a couple of days before putting soil back around
them. There are some plant diseases present in soils that can enter the tree through
open wounds. Sanitizing the cut ends and letting them heal first helps prevent
these diseases from entering the tree.
are growing to a depth of 12 inches. After cutting them, sanitize the cut ends
of any large roots that have been cut with soap and water. Let the cut ends of
the roots dry and heal for a couple of days before putting soil back around
them. There are some plant diseases present in soils that can enter the tree through
open wounds. Sanitizing the cut ends and letting them heal first helps prevent
these diseases from entering the tree.
Backfilling around the cut ends
of roots while cuts are still fresh can increase the likelihood of disease
problems.
of roots while cuts are still fresh can increase the likelihood of disease
problems.