trees and fire pits

elleke · 22nd September 2007, 08:28 AM

my tenant has dug out a fire pit 5 ft away from two trees,(an oak and a poplar). He uses the pit to burn scrap wood about 16 hours a week.
Will this do damage to the roots of these trees or am I being overprotective?
Thank you in advance to anyone who can help with this.

treefeller · 22nd September 2007, 10:50 AM

How deep is the pit, are their any roots encroaching into the pit, if not their shouldnt really be a prob. The other thing to look into would be the soil bacteria, nutrients being burnt away making the soil lifeless. Has he used some sort of fire proofing mebrain as this would protect the roots and soil.

elleke · 22nd September 2007, 02:38 PM

thanks copper beach for your reply, there is 1/2 an oil barrel sideways(about a foot deep) in the ground, there are cement blocks on three sides. The fire does tend to spill out to an area of about 4 by 4 feet. I haven't seen obvious roots but will look take a closer look. One tree is old 6 foot circum trunk the other is young 1 ft circum trunk. Would a general tree fertilizer help them both cope with their "hot feet"?Thanxs

treefeller · 23rd September 2007, 01:39 AM

Yeah a general fertilizer should be ok with plenty of o.m and of course plenty of watering as well and the trees should be ok. Keep us informed

Ekka · 23rd September 2007, 02:39 AM

All fires are banned here, can say never really had that consideration pop up.

pomme · 23rd September 2007, 07:36 AM

sorry to disagree treefella but the heat from a fire 5ft away from a large trunk will cause damage to the cambium on the fire side. the thick bark on the poplar might have more resistance but if damaged will not bode well for this tree. this is a common problem

treefeller · 23rd September 2007, 08:03 AM

Overlooked that part,sorry,

22nd September 2007, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
elleke I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: toronto ontario Posts: 2	trees and fire pits my tenant has dug out a fire pit 5 ft away from two trees,(an oak and a poplar). He uses the pit to burn scrap wood about 16 hours a week. Will this do damage to the roots of these trees or am I being overprotective? Thank you in advance to anyone who can help with this.

22nd September 2007, 10:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cheshunt Posts: 86	Re: trees and fire pits How deep is the pit, are their any roots encroaching into the pit, if not their shouldnt really be a prob. The other thing to look into would be the soil bacteria, nutrients being burnt away making the soil lifeless. Has he used some sort of fire proofing mebrain as this would protect the roots and soil. __________________ Copper Beech Tree Works Hertfordshire www.copperbeechtreeworks.sampasite.com

22nd September 2007, 02:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
elleke I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: toronto ontario Posts: 2	Re: trees and fire pits thanks copper beach for your reply, there is 1/2 an oil barrel sideways(about a foot deep) in the ground, there are cement blocks on three sides. The fire does tend to spill out to an area of about 4 by 4 feet. I haven't seen obvious roots but will look take a closer look. One tree is old 6 foot circum trunk the other is young 1 ft circum trunk. Would a general tree fertilizer help them both cope with their "hot feet"?Thanxs

23rd September 2007, 01:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cheshunt Posts: 86	Re: trees and fire pits Yeah a general fertilizer should be ok with plenty of o.m and of course plenty of watering as well and the trees should be ok. Keep us informed __________________ Copper Beech Tree Works Hertfordshire www.copperbeechtreeworks.sampasite.com

23rd September 2007, 02:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,830	Re: trees and fire pits All fires are banned here, can say never really had that consideration pop up. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd September 2007, 07:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
pomme Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 220	Re: trees and fire pits sorry to disagree treefella but the heat from a fire 5ft away from a large trunk will cause damage to the cambium on the fire side. the thick bark on the poplar might have more resistance but if damaged will not bode well for this tree. this is a common problem

23rd September 2007, 08:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cheshunt Posts: 86	Re: trees and fire pits Overlooked that part,sorry, __________________ Copper Beech Tree Works Hertfordshire www.copperbeechtreeworks.sampasite.com

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