South Texas Pine Tree Roots!

DIY-ER

I have an estimated 60'+ pine tree close (directly adjacent to my patio). The girth is approx. 5'+. I am planning to lay some flagstone between the 3' o clock - 6' o clock position off the tree from a distance of 2'. I am uncertain of the potential damage I may cause the tree if I were to cut the roots back. Is it safe to cut back this amount of the exposed roots? Any suggestions please?

Brent Ferris

Assume the tree crown above the 3-6 o'clock area will die. Even if the roots are not cut, the flagstone is likely to be extensive, and the roots will suffocate, die and then kill the crown, If you want to have a chance of saving the tree, used pierced pavement -- may not look as nice, but allows water penetration and gaseous exchange., The rough rule of thumb for root growth is 3 feet in radius per inch diameter of trunk -- so a 10 inch diameter tree should have a root outgrowth of 30 feet in all directions - assuming minimal influence for root strangulation, and other limiting factors, I assume 5 + ft in girth equates to 1 1/2 feet in diameter -- depending on the kind of pine, still fairly young with a lot of potential growing yet to go., THe better advice is to put the patio elsewhere - trees don't move so easily.

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DIY-ER

thanks for the input.