Question
I'm in need of a wind (blowing snow, actually) break to help keep snow from whipping around one corner near my house & piling up in front of my garage.  I was gifted several pyramidal arborvitae that grow to about 3-4 ft in diameter that would be perfect, but the first one needs to be near where one end of the septic tank is.  I need to know how close to an underground (of course <G>) poured-concrete septic tank they can be planted?  
 The rest of the 4,000 gallon septic tank goes the opposite direction away from where these arborvitaes need to be.
           Thanks!
                Kate

Answer
There is no exact answer to that question. You can plant it as close as you need. But know that if and probably when you need to get into your septic tank for any maintenance or repair, they have to dig it up. The tank is typically installed just a foot or two below the surface depending on your climate and if roots have grown over it, it will be much more difficult to dig out and cutting the roots will be necessary. Cutting the roots may kill or injure the tree if they are within a few feet of the tree. So the answer it the farther away the better. It could be many years though before you have any problem with your tank so its up to you on the risk factor.

Sean Murphy