Douglas Fir Root System

bartonpargolf

I have a douglas fir with an 8 foot trunk, I need to run a sewer line 30 feet from the base of the trunk and 6 feet deep, will I damage the root system of the tree

kieren

What distance from the drip line (extreme tips of foliage) will you be digging your trench? Providing you don't cut the trees main roots ie ones bigger than your wrist, and avoid digging within the drip line, your excavation shouldn't have too large an impact on the trees health. If you are within this zone you can use a air spade to dig the trench with minimal damage to the roots and no compaction by heavy excavators and plant, also a good way to investigate where the roots are to know where not to dig.

Eric Frei

Yes. you sure will damage the roots.

But will the tree be destabilized?

Will the tree decline or die?

Without more information we cannot assess or see, we have no data.

I would say that at 30' away likely the tree wont blow over but what if right next to the tree on the other side was a road etc ... we don't know of the situation, we don't know if it has a symmetrical root area etc.

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metzler

like ekka said, without any pictures or more information here, there is no way to make a qualified judgment call. we would only be guessing, and that would be totally irresponsible.