popo
New Member
I have sugar maple that I planted about 16 years ago. I put it 17 ft from the back of the house. I now have substantial lateral root growth at and just below the ground surface. They have lifted the patio stones behind the house and are growing toward the back of the house and under the driveway, next to the house
I did some digging today, after moving all the patio stones, and found that there are two major root branches going under the driveway right next to the house. They are at surface level and go under the driveway. There do not appear to be any gowing toward the house (at least not at the 6" to 8" depth).
I am not familiar with the root system of these trees and I have a few concerns:
1 Are there likely to be roots below the level I am looking at now that will interfere with the house (i.e., go through the basement wall?)
2 Can I cut any of the roots back without damaging the tree and, if so. how far back can I cut them?
3 Do these trees depend on the lateral roots solely, or is there a tap root system as well.
Any help would be appreciated. I really don't want to lose the tree, but the roots growing in the direction of the house are becoming a problem.
I did some digging today, after moving all the patio stones, and found that there are two major root branches going under the driveway right next to the house. They are at surface level and go under the driveway. There do not appear to be any gowing toward the house (at least not at the 6" to 8" depth).
I am not familiar with the root system of these trees and I have a few concerns:
1 Are there likely to be roots below the level I am looking at now that will interfere with the house (i.e., go through the basement wall?)
2 Can I cut any of the roots back without damaging the tree and, if so. how far back can I cut them?
3 Do these trees depend on the lateral roots solely, or is there a tap root system as well.
Any help would be appreciated. I really don't want to lose the tree, but the roots growing in the direction of the house are becoming a problem.