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| Rather than try to block tree roots in my garden, I've decided to see if I can use them to add organic matter into my garden each year.
Basically I'm digging a trench between the trees and garden to cut the tree roots. The extensive root mat in the garden will die and decompose. The trench is filled back in and a drip line will be added to lead the tree roots to grow back into the garden next year. Then the roots will be cut again in the spring. This could add a lot of organic matter each year. The only unknown is how deep I'll need to dig. Have dug 1.5', will go 3' deep this year to be sure. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Tree root soil amendment
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Mon, Sep 24, 12 at 18:14
| Interesting idea. Is it worth all the work and lost water and nutrients? That's an honest question, I don't know. Given the fight I have with fibrous silver maple roots, I would certainly not be inclined to *encourage* them to grow back in. :-] |
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| Tree roots are wood, it is like adding word chimps as compost. |
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- Posted by emgardener 9 BayArea CA (My Page) on Mon, Sep 24, 12 at 22:55
| These tree roots grow back not matter what I do, been trying to keep them out for 4 years now. So I'm trying to encourage them to grow back close to the surface along a known drip line path. That way I'll know where to cut them each spring. Hopefully without having to re-dig the entire trench each year. |
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| 7777Tree roots go shallow or deep strictly depending on the type of tree. They will go in what ever direction the tree is hard wired to do. What kind of tree is it? |
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- Posted by emgardener 9 BayArea CA (My Page) on Wed, Sep 26, 12 at 1:00
| It's a very tall redwood tree. I've seen roots come up from a 2' deep dig before, so I know they go at least that deep, but the trees are on a lower slope so that may make them "deeper" as they grow into the hill. |
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| um emgaredner you might want to be very careful about your redwood roots. Even the large redwoods have comparatively shallow roots (5-6' is about as deep as they go). If this tree is in falling distance of yours or your neighbors houses I would be very careful how much you mess with the roots. A single storm could bring it down. Also those roots will keep getting thicker and thicker and break any concrete near them (and by near I mean up to 40-50'). If it is within fall of a house I would consider cutting it down. I know that is harsh but I have had some experience with them, and they don;t belong near a house! |
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- Posted by emgardener 9 BayArea CA (My Page) on Thu, Sep 27, 12 at 22:26
| Yes, I've read the roots go to a max depth of 12' and I've observed them going over 100' away. I'm only cutting them about 40' from the base, should be ok. Also they are in a stand so they reinforce each other. One did snap in a wind storm once and did minor garage roof damage. |
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- Posted by jimbobfeeny 5a IN (My Page) on Fri, Sep 28, 12 at 17:33
| Word chimps - That explains instruction manuals these days!!! |
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| Your soil looks nice and deep. You could look into renting a Ditch Witch for your experimenting, it could save you a lot of time. I am sure that there are lots of youtube videos showing what they can do. Call your dig number (probably 811) if you are not absolutely sure there is nothing down there. If you have other light tractor work to do as well, it might be better to hire someone with the equipment to do it for you. Sometimes you can find someone who is competent and just wants to get out of the house ( while justifying having a tractor with all of the gadgets). The ditch witch will pretty much be able to dig a trench in a pathway though. Best of luck to you! It will be neat to see updates. |
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