In any landscape, trees hold a special position, contributing beauty, shade, and beneficial environmental impacts. However, when allowed to grow unhindered, their roots can prove to be a more subtle but serious threat to your property. Excluding some unusual situations, tree roots spread underground for the health of the tree while damaging structures like foundations, plumbing, sidewalks, and many more. Homeowners often do not notice root issues until they already need costly repairs.
It can benefit you to know about tree root growth and specific indicators of concern so you can take preventive measures before it’s too late. If you are a homeowner, property manager, or landscaper, tree maintenance and removal services can save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.
How do Tree Roots Grow and Spread?
The two main functions of tree roots are to anchor the tree and absorb water and nutrients. Most roots spread quite horizontally into the soil rather than deep within the soil. Depending on the species, roots can extend upwards of two to three times the height of a tree, which means that by the time roots start affecting nearby structures, it is generally too late, as evidence can barely be visible above ground.
Conditions in the soil and availability of water, as well as barriers obstructing their way, affect root growth. Tree roots tend to act on buildings, pavements, and utilities when planted too close. Willows, poplars, and maples are examples of trees that create destruction due to aggressive rooting.
The soil around structures is often compacted and poorly drained, causing roots to pursue water sources such as leaking underground pipes, which can be costly to unclog and repair. A basic understanding of an invading root’s purpose is vital for ensuring proper tree growth away from any disturbance and managing the tree’s health afterward to alleviate the damage.
Foundation Damage: A Silent Threat
Some of the most detrimental effects of roots on buildings emerge from the damage caused by roots to the soil upon which buildings rest: as roots extend into moisture-bearing soil, they draw moisture out from it, resulting in shrinkage, settling, and, hence, cracks in foundation walls.
Clay soils are especially prone to this, as they shrink more than normal during desiccation. Thus, drawing out water from beneath a tree into fine soil may create voids to which the foundation settles or shifts downward. In the long run, some of these cracks will grow into unsightly fissures and will lead to sinking or shifting foundations, with uneven floors and fitting doors.
In extreme situations, tree roots may exert direct mechanical pressure on a foundation if the tree is too close. Generally, roots do not rupture the concrete but, rather use any available crack as an avenue toward access. Preventative measures in building foundations include choosing a tree that will have minimal impact on the structure, maintaining proper soil moisture, and applying limited root barriers if necessary.
Plumbing and Sewer Line Infiltration
For this reason, tree roots will commonly invade underground pipes in search of water. Old sewer pipes of clay or cast iron are the first casualties, as they are usually riddled with many small cracks or joints-areas from where roots can creep in. When roots penetrate the pipe, they thrive rapidly, causing blockage, bursting pipes, and expensive repairs.
The telltale signs of root invasion are a slow drain through and sewerage occasional disruptions, and gurgling with the toilet. As the condition worsens, it leads to sewage backup and even structural damage if timely intervention is not taken. Regular inspections by plumbing cameras can help detect root intrusion well in advance to prevent massive damage.
Preventing tree roots from penetrating sewerage pipes begins on-site; trees should be planted at least 10-20 feet away from sewer lines. The installation of root barriers and newer PVC pipes with sealed joints will highly lessen this risk. If root invasion occurs, companies specialize in removing roots through considerable measures, such as hydrojetting or pipe relining.
Sidewalk and Driveway Lifting
Tree roots also damage sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces. When roots continue to grow beneath concrete or asphalt, they apply pressure from below that pushes up, cracking, and lifting sections of pavement. It ruins the aesthetic value of your property and becomes a safety hazard, hence the risk of trips and falls.
Most municipalities are facing repairing and managing root-related sidewalk damage, a rather complex and costly affair with liability issues. Property owners are also caught in between if tree roots become problematic and upset their driveways, causing unevenness and possible harm to vehicles.
Prevention includes planting trees with non-invasive root systems or utilizing root barriers to orient roots’ growth downward rather than outward. Once the damage has occurred, the remedy can comprise root pruning, pavement replacement, or flexible materials such as rubber sidewalks that would help lessen the issue while allowing the tree to continue to grow.
Damage to Underground Utility Lines
As a consequence, the disruption of service may occur, some leaking, and numerous events even can be an important safety hazard. There exists the tree roots danger of being a source of leaks in gas because tree roots enter into old and weak gas pipes, possibly leading to explosions. Roots dislodge underground electrical cables, which cause power outages or even burn hazards.
Before planting trees, locate the underground utility lines by contacting local utility companies. Choose trees with slower growth or tree roots that will not invade so much that they will cause damage. Protective barriers against the utility lines could also be used for more protection. Regular inspection and professional management of roots will help minimize disruption to utility lines.
Landscaping and Lawn Destruction
Tree roots also have an unpatriotic course, making landscaping impossible and keeping healthy lawns with gardens. Where trees extend their roots, competing with grass and any other vegetation for water and nutrients results in more patchy or dying regions. Some exposed roots may also hinder mowing or provide places where a person may trip over.
Mulching around trees has a role in moisture retention coupled with minimizing the competition of roots with grass. Deep root watering will also encourage the growth of roots downwards instead of spreading over the surface.
Exposed roots are creating a serious problem; perhaps ground cover plants or raised garden beds would help manage this landscape better. Pruning and root management can also contribute to good tree and lawn aesthetics balance.
Wrapping Up:
As trees beautify and add value to the property, they must be left unattended to growing roots, which tend to cause havoc. Tree root problems can get in the way of foundation issues, sewer line intrusions, cracked sidewalks, and disrupted landscaping, and may become costly and hazardous. Whether by carefully choosing trees by installing root barriers or having outside help, the best way to take care of things can prevent damage to property through roots.
Read more: How to Choose the Right Tree Surgeon in Swindon for Your Garden
