replacing it with cinder-block wall. The
Italian cypress trees grow along 2 sections of the fence and are about 20 years
old. The new block fence will go on the
other side of the wooden fence but there’s the footing to consider which will
cut into the root system. My question to
you is, what are the chances of these trees surviving since we won’t know how
much of the root will be cut into? I can
send pictures of the base of the tree with the irrigation and the existing
fence post to give you a better picture of the area or I can send measurements
of what I am planning. Not sure if the
pictures will give you enough detail to make an informed prediction.
 |
| This is a picture of the soil around some oleanders after a block wall had been removed and was being replaced. This is not the readers but a friends. The oleanders were being watered in a shrub bed with bubblers. Notice that there is not alot of root development next to the wall. |
As you know the trimming of these trees are time consuming
and/or expensive to hire out. We wonder
if the block wall will bring more heat to the yard and could the heat from the
wall burn the tree? The reason we are
considering this project is that with our dogs we are simply worried that if a
plank snaps that our dogs will get out and possibly hurt. We like to rustic look of the wooden fence
but we wonder if the block wall might be a better choice for security. Any thoughts on your part would be
appreciated.
damage to the trees if you decide to move ahead with a block wall, replacing a
wooden fence.
plants grow where there is adequate water. If a good supply of water is on your
side of the fence, the roots will tend to grow more in that direction. If there
is lots of water on the other side of the fence, they may tend to grow in that
direction.
+compressed.jpg) |
| Notice the difference between the shallow fleshy roots of the palm tree (left) and the oleanders on the right. Palm roots grow where there is more air, near the wall. |
So try to picture
that your tree’s roots will grow more in the presence of water. Would this be
on your side of the wall or your neighbor’s side? So if a cinder block wall is
constucted, a trench will be dug and a footer laid to support this very heavy
wall. You are right, this will definitely eliminate a portion of their root
system.
roots are growing toward your neighbor mostly, then these trees will suffer
significant damage. If your landscape is dry and the neighbor’s is wet, this
might cause severe damage to your trees.
coming mostly from your yard and your neighbor’s is dry, hen cutting the roots
on the side toward your neighbor will probably have a more minimal effect.
 |
| This picture from Washington State University shows how some plant roots will grow toward a good balance of air and water such as close to the container wall. |
Likewise if their
water is coming from a water source in small amounts from drip irrigation close
to the trunk adn the resest of the yard is dry then the impact will
probably be minimal. In other words,if
you are trenching in soil that stays dry for most of the year you will probably
be okay.
caution. The week before they put in the footer water the trees very well. Then
let the soil dry out until they dig. Encourage them to dig, put the footer in
and backfill the soil as soon as possible to minimize damage to the trees. As
soon as possible, irrigate the trees again.