There is nothing more beautiful than a tree, whether it is gracing the entrance to your yard or shading a porch or sidewalk.  While many worry about how big a tree will get and whether its branches will break off and be of danger to their home or overhead wires, few remember to also look below and take caution of that tree's roots.

What ways can tree roots be a problem you might ask? Here are just a few things that can get damaged due to intrusive root systems:


1.    Underground Pipes - A tree's invasive roots can affect old pipes that are barely holding together. Although pipes being broken by roots isn't a common incident, it still can be an issue. Many times the pipes are already leaking, giving the tree extra reason to grow larger and larger, stimulating root growth toward the break in the pipe. Species of trees that are most problematic to pipes are poplars, willows, and silver maples. If your trees roots have already infiltrated your pies, it could be a hassle to repair but it is still possible. Instead of removing the tree you can replace the faulty pipes with something more durable. This will not only be the easiest but possibly the cheapest and the best solution long term.

2.    Septic Systems - Roots in your septic system is a common problem for many homeowners. Trees roots cannot only enter your septic tank area but also the leach field that drains your septic. The most common specie of trees that cause such problems are willow, maple, and elms. If you already have a problem with your trees roots blocking your septic tank, then you know it requires a professional to clear your system. There are chemicals you can buy for your septic systems that will kill roots, but the best solution is not planting trees too close to your septic tank.

3.    Foundations - If you have seen a home with cracked flooring and walls, many look for a nearby tree planted too close to the house. While roots can occasionally be the cause of foundation damage, most homes' foundations are ruined due to the soil beneath the house drying and settling. Soil subsidence is a common reason for damage to a home's structure. Under very special circumstances roots can actually contribute to this problem. What is soil subsidence? It is when soil shrinks during periods of drought and expands when there is a lot of moisture. This shrinking and expansion shifts a home's foundation and eventually can cause walls in the home or flooring to crack.

4.    Sidewalks and Pavement - Most of us have seen this kind of damage as we walk along a sidewalk and it begins to buck and roll where a tree is nearby. Roots from trees can crack or lift side walks, drives ways, and other paved surfaces. Trying to severely prune a tree to stop this damage from occurring rarely works and most likely will kill the tree. While having shade over a sidewalk sounds wonderful, it's only a matter of time before the tree grows too big and the roots began to cause that sidewalk damage.

If you installing the sidewalk and the trees at the same time, you can put in root barriers around the sidewalk as well as curbs, gutters, parking lots, and driveways. This will help to reduce the trees growth. These barriers are placed in the soil to a depth of 18 to 24 inches by trenching along the area to be protected. If trees are too close to pavement, or if compacted soil forces large roots to grow very near the soil surface, roots can eventually lift pavement. When roots encounter a paved area, the only entry is often a gap between the soil and pavement. Future problems can be prevented at the time of planting by using smaller plants, providing a minimum distance of 4 feet between the tree and the pavement, or using mechanical barriers to prevent roots from growing under the pavement. Remedies for lifted pavements around mature trees often involve either moving the pavement away from the tree or pruning off the problem roots. Cutting off the problem roots often causes stress and instability. Trees without sufficient root support can be blown over more easily in a storm.

Roots do not have to be a problem, it is just a matter of examining where you plant your trees in relation to objects you know that can become damaged. And if that tree has already been planted, don't despair, there are solutions for you to consider.