Planting distance from septic drain fields

StrictlyPalms · 30th January 2008, 09:38 AM

Howdy fellas,
In my area there are quite a few people with front yard septic systems. The question I have is this. How far away from the drain field should you keep a palm? I know their root ball is relatively small compared to the canopy but will they send out horizontal opportunistic roots if they sense a source of water?

My area is Orlando, so we do get daily rains in the summer keeping the ground relatively damp. We have been a little on the dry side for the last couple years, 6-12" low for the year, but not drought conditions.

Also, is there any sort of Root barrier system out there if they are prone to sniff out the drain field?

Ekka · 30th January 2008, 02:52 PM

For the record I'd like to clear this matter up.

Palms have vast root systems, easily travelling well beyong their canopy and from experience I can say travelling easily 15' away from the tree.

The thinking that they have some small root balls most likely comes from people who dig them out and transplant them, you can be a lot more brutal with palms compared to trees when transplanting.

However their roots do travel.

I dont think there's any set distance however installation of a root barrier could be the solution. Palm roots are less likely to break pipes and things as they are fibrous roots ... they will access and grow through a small hole in a pipe but wont expand that hole like a thickening tree root. However once inside the pipe they'll thicken up and clog it.

Hope this helps.

StrictlyPalms · 30th January 2008, 09:32 PM

Helps tons, what do you recommend for the root barrier? and how deep to go?

Sean Freeman · 30th January 2008, 09:40 PM

We had a thread a while back about root barrriers?

Sean Freeman · 30th January 2008, 09:42 PM

Here we go some info in here
Soil subsidence and trees
Root barriers

30th January 2008, 09:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
StrictlyPalms Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando, Florida USA Posts: 81	Planting distance from septic drain fields Howdy fellas, In my area there are quite a few people with front yard septic systems. The question I have is this. How far away from the drain field should you keep a palm? I know their root ball is relatively small compared to the canopy but will they send out horizontal opportunistic roots if they sense a source of water? My area is Orlando, so we do get daily rains in the summer keeping the ground relatively damp. We have been a little on the dry side for the last couple years, 6-12" low for the year, but not drought conditions. Also, is there any sort of Root barrier system out there if they are prone to sniff out the drain field? __________________ Strictly Palms, Inc. Orlando, Florida USA

30th January 2008, 02:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Planting distance from septic drain fields For the record I'd like to clear this matter up. Palms have vast root systems, easily travelling well beyong their canopy and from experience I can say travelling easily 15' away from the tree. The thinking that they have some small root balls most likely comes from people who dig them out and transplant them, you can be a lot more brutal with palms compared to trees when transplanting. However their roots do travel. I dont think there's any set distance however installation of a root barrier could be the solution. Palm roots are less likely to break pipes and things as they are fibrous roots ... they will access and grow through a small hole in a pipe but wont expand that hole like a thickening tree root. However once inside the pipe they'll thicken up and clog it. Hope this helps. __________________ 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 Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors Last edited by Ekka : 30th January 2008 at 09:56 PM. Reason: spelling

30th January 2008, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
StrictlyPalms Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando, Florida USA Posts: 81	Re: Planting distance from septic drain fields Helps tons, what do you recommend for the root barrier? and how deep to go? __________________ Strictly Palms, Inc. Orlando, Florida USA

30th January 2008, 09:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,643	Re: Planting distance from septic drain fields We had a thread a while back about root barrriers? __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

30th January 2008, 09:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,643	Re: Planting distance from septic drain fields Here we go some info in here Soil subsidence and trees Root barriers __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode