Paper bark tree roots

jandbmiddleton

Hi

I am new to the site, but after a quick browse through it looks like a good site with lots of information.

My question is; I have a paper bark that is 10years old in a small garden and the roots are starting to lift the paving bricks. Can I cut these roots out without hurting the tree or destabilizing it. I think it is about three fairly large roots I would need to remove from one side only.

Thanks
John

Eric Frei

We need more information and pictures.

We need to know tree size, DBH, lean spread etc.

We need to know root size, distance from tree etc.

And of course pictures tell us a lot.

It's not a precise science but we'd hate to see your tree die or fall over.

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jandbmiddleton

Hi Ekka

Took some photo's but don't know how to put them on this site? What does URL mean?

Sorry
John

Drouin Tree Service

Ask a friend who is knowledgeable on computers to help you load the pictures if its to hard for you,we can help you from there.

Thanks from the moderating team on treeworld the worlds best tree information and certification guide available.

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

Done it

Have a look here. It explains it, and you have to resize you're pictures.

How to post| add a picture or file| embed picture

jandbmiddleton

Thanks Done it, will try now, hopefully it works

Attached Thumbnails

       

Done it

Well, I can see why you planted it and why you'd like to keep it.

Unfortunatly I have to remove a lot of them because of their root system, they love water [sewers] Normally I'd say cutting a few roots wouldn't worry it, they've got a good hold on the ground but if that is a car park behind it and lower than your yard I'd be going for wood chips instead of pavers, but I hate pavers anyway.

jandbmiddleton

Thanks for your advice, unfortunately it is a lane way behind the fence and lower than our yard. Will have a go at removing the couple of roots that are causing trouble as our yard is small and the paved bit is for outside BBQ's etc so pavers work well there.

There is a sewer about 3m away, so I may have to remove it if we have trouble but really need privacy from the units at the back.

Cheers - great site and thanks for the advice!!
John

Eric Frei

Cant you remove the pavers back say 1m either side of the roots a slightly ramp over?

I feel cutting roots that close to the stem, with that height, that location could mean the tree leans in the next decent wind after a heavy rain .... especially if the other side of the fence is concrete as the roots will predominantly be your side.

Too narrow a spot for that tree to grow say 9m tall comfortably with pavers so close. Latest rage for spots like that is those non invasive exotic/special bamboos.

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jandbmiddleton

Ekka

I hear you, I think the advice we got before planting this tree was not great.

We do need screening from the units at the back, I am scared of Bamboo as with my little experience it seems to go wild and grow everywhere.

The yard is very small, whole block is only 328m2! Is there some sort of hedge plants that would grow about 3 -4m high that would fit in this narrow garden?

Thanks
John

Eric Frei

I've been around a while, seen the after effects of Don Burke's advice like when he planted Viburnum as hedges in townhouse complexes tiny backyards, or when he built a billabong and planted 3 scribbly gums under the eaves of a house sticking out at a 60 degree angle over the water, or when he suggests vines on lattice etc in narrow spots like yours.

We work in the back end of the industry, we see things 10 years down the track. I can comfortably tell you that just about anything you want to plant there that's like a tree wont work without repeated trimming, then you end up with a trimmed hedge your side and a mess the other side.

There is new non invasive bamboos that will do the job. You could even tub grow them, some people build a concrete edged planter box just to be safe. There's many types and you'll need to do your homework but it is I feel the answer.

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jandbmiddleton

Thanks Ekka, good sound advice, much appreciated. Not sure what is available here in Perth but half the fun is looking and researching.
Will definately stay on this site now I found it.

Thanks again
John