Pruning Invasive Camphor tree roots

martinb

Hello, Everyone. I have a problem with my Camphor Trees. One in particular has done someting that I think is unusual for a Cinnamomum.
There is a very large Diameter Root, .4 meters at least in diameter, that is on the surface coming from the trunk it is spread along the ground where it had been covered by poly anda layer of gravel. It tore a bench support out. When i went to dig out the area, I discovered the root, which has reached under our conrete slab patio. I need to cut off the roots, there is no doube=t of that, but I woul like to save the tree if possible.

Thanks for any advice or experiences with Camphorts. I am in Northern California, mid coastal valley area , Petaluma to be exact.

regards,

Martin

Eric Frei

They can be a bugger that's for sure.

What dia is the tree and how far from the trunk of the tree will the root cutting take place?

Some pics would help too.

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martinb

Dear Ekka;
Thanks for the response. The tree trunk is a little less than 12" at the first crotch, and is roughly 12"by 18" at the ground. The canopy radius is from 8 to twelve feet, and the height looks to be about thirty feet. The patio is about 6 feet from the trunk on one side. I am going to try to attach some pictures, but they really don't show much detail. I have to cut the roots under the slab, no question there. Is it safe to assume that the tree has enough roots in other diorections to keep it healthy? Why does this tree send roots aboveground, when my other camphor seems more well behaved?
Also, how do I remove cut roots? I imagine camphor is as slow to rot as redwood.


Again thaks for your assitance. let me know if more info would help.

Martin

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treeseer

"Is it safe to assume that the tree has enough roots in other diorections to keep it healthy?

*probably

"Why does this tree send roots aboveground, when my other camphor seems more well behaved?

*may hve something to do with the soil conditions, and the suffocation from that black plastic and all the other stuff covering the rootzone.

"Also, how do I remove cut roots? I imagine camphor is as slow to rot as redwood.

*not really. I'd remove them with a saw.

kieren

Cutting tree roots can be fatal with some trees, camphor can take quite a beating but you dont want to cut anything bigger than your wrist. That thing is going to get big maybe think about removing and planting something more suited to your yard

Eric Frei

Classic case of wrong tree wrong spot. Cull now!



And here's some abused camphor's.

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treeseer

Hmm, my answer should have asked about time frame. as ekka's pics indicate, these things do want to be quite large. if you are pouring concrete where that wood frame is in your pic, you have not allowed the tree room to live longterm in that spot. at the very least you'll have to prune the roots again, and again, if you value the concrete more than the tree.

no idea what's on other side of fence so hard to judge total root volume, and hard to judge the need to replace.

martinb

Thank you all for your input. Un fortunately, The patio was there first. The wood frame is on top of the existing concrete, it is the frame of the bench that was knocked over by the camphor roots. I would love to remove and replace, but cannot affor professional removal right now. there is a second camphor you can't see about thirty-five feet to the right, which I also think ought to go. When we planted them 15 years ago, we were of the understanding that they wouldn't grow very quickly or very large due to the weather here.
If we remove it, how long will it take for the remaining roots to decay i the soil? The previous owners had planted a redwood in the front yard, in the six foot wide space between the driveways. Talk about wrong tree wrong place! We removed that about six years ago, and the roots are still fairly frech and moist. If camphors are as rot resistant as redwoods, they may never rot.

Thanks again for all your help replacement tree suggestions are also welcome, preferably evergreen.

Warmest regards from up over,

Martin

Eric Frei

Stump grinding will get rid of roots quicker, rotting will take 5 years.

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jaui

It depends on how big is the tree, the spread of the crown (foliage), the size of the roots, the depth of the cut and how close to the tree trunk the roots were cut. The key is not cutting more then 20 percent of the root system.

For More info about Tree Pruning:
SuperiorNW - Seattle Tree Services, Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Shrub Care & Arborist

Jeff Darby

Hi martinb,
If it was me l would remove this small tree before it gets much larger ..= more $ to deal with it.
Then l would research my next choice in trees to how big they get in the big pot...Earth... are they known for vigoris roots etc..etc

And start again, keeping in mind where l would be in 10 to 15 years time with my new selection.

Where l live as soon as this tree flowers and develops seed it classified as a weed!

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© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

Eric Frei

JayD,

It's toxic to our marine life and estuaries. Also other creatures including a dead horse!

I personally feel that it's sad all councils dont flat out command eradication of these trees where they are close to waterways, I still see many on creek banks and even the river banks in the Tweed / Gold Coast region.

Palmvale Community Landcare Group from Camphor Laurel Menace

Camphor Laurel cont

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Jeff Darby

Yes l know how invasive this species can be...l must have been half asleep when l used that particular emoticon.

__________________

Member: Australian Tree Association

Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard !

Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others

© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

TrevMcRev

Ha, i've had local council knock back removal of even pretty crappy ones of these.