Size of Tree Root Systems

[Norman Brown]

I am currently in discussions with the California Dept of Water Resources as to whether the root systems of some fruit trees that were planted by the previous land owner might interfere with their water pipe. Anybody got any information on the normal extent of root systems for pear, apple, nectarine, cherry, pomegranate and citrus trees?

 

[Stumper]

Roots may extend over a wider area than the branches extend above ground. HOWEVER, those roots far from the trunk are tiny. They will absorb water and nutrients but they aren't likely to be a primary cause of damage. A mass of those little guys inside a sewer drain may wreak havoc but they aren't pipe breakers/foundation crackers etc.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

To add to Stumpers comment, roots are opertunistic. If a iron or plastic pipe does not have any leaks, then the tree will not invade it.

The main limiting factors to root propigation are; free O2, H2O and nutrients (pardon the N word fellas Beneficial Elements is too big a mouthfull for me) in that order.

They grow by adding cells on between the root and the root capm pushing the rootcap in between the soil particles. This type of action cannot damage a pipe. Especialy a small fruit tree. Now if it were an oak with the strucural roots right on the pipe, there may be a problem.

So if there is no plume of aerated moist soil for the roots to grow towards then there will be no conflict. If there is a plume, then they need to fix their pipe anyways.

If they do not accept this argument from you, then get a consulting arborist to assit you. Nelda Matheny is somewhere in CA, and she (literaly) helped write the book on Arboriculture.

http://www.asca-consultants.org/