Question
I have heard that ficus trees are bad for a yard because they are shallow rooters and will tear up a driveway, sidewalk, or sprinkler system. Is this true?  A friend claims his neighbor鈥檚 ficus tree is about to encroach and ruin my friend鈥檚 driveway.

Answer
Yes large fisus trees will entend their roots and cause problems with sidewalks driveway and sprinkler systems. The roots can be pruned and stop the growth toward the driveway. This can be done by digging a trench through the root system along the property line. This trench can be filled in after it is dug and the roots have been cut. every two or three year period re open the  trench and cut any new roots. Normally the root system spreads out as far as the branches go outward--so pruning the tree back will also help the spreading root problem. I would first ask the neighbor to remove the tree if he dose not want to then cut the trench--the tree will be affected by the root cutting depending on how close the trench is to the trunk of the tree.