Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 22, 2011 10:13 pm Edit: Mod, I think I'm in the wrong forum , would you mind moving it to an appropriate place please. As you can see from the pic, those trees are far too close to the building, app 2.5m. I'm not too sure who planted those tree, either estate developer or council. I was actually quite happy to see those trees there (free screening trees) and had never thought of them being a issue until this morning when my neighbour at the back started preparing for the slab, there are more than 20 piers around the slab, asked them why, they said their builder said they need a suspended slab or a long root barrier due to the trees so close. They also said the builder prefers the suspended slab because they don't wanna get sued if they put in root barrier and the trees die. Now that really worries me b'coz I don't think my builder has ever considered tree root issues during the build, it's not their fault as tree weren't there then. I'll have to deal with it from now on. What do I do now? builder will definitely not doing anything to it, not their problem after all. Ask the developer or council to remove those trees? or ask them to put barrier if they want them keep? Built: Modified H3nl3y S0h0 Q1 in Melbourne :- Never again yet another Trees and root barrier" question 2Nov 22, 2011 10:58 pm The way these are planted I don't think roots will ever be a problem. Hard to make out the tree species. Some sort of Ulmus maybe. It's acceptable to have trees that grow to 5m as close as 1.5m. Fund out the tree species. yet another Trees and root barrier" question 3Nov 22, 2011 11:07 pm Things are a bit past putting in a barrier. You'd be best to consult a qualified Aboriculturist Call the Australian Aborist Association (they have some new name like NAAA) Ask how you can get in touch with one of their members near you These guys are the right brains in this. Their level of training is extraordinary. Amazing tree brains. What is important is not to worry or let fear cloud your ability to make informed decisions after appropriate consultation. Fear is an ugly thing. Trees are natural fractal beauty at its best. Re: yet another Trees and root barrier" question 5Nov 23, 2011 1:42 pm Hi Fu, there is no tag on the tree. I have couple of close-ups. They're deciduous trees I believe. What do you reckon? Thanks Built: Modified H3nl3y S0h0 Q1 in Melbourne :- Never again Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 6Nov 25, 2011 12:24 pm Lacebark Based on the photos, it looks like Lagerstroemia - roots shouldn't be an issue. Why not phone the developer/local council who planted them and seek information and an assurance - a responsible local authority should not plant trees (or allow trees to be planted by developers) with potential root damage issues and then expect new home builders to modify structural designs to prevent damage occurring; especially considering the close proximity to the house pictured. Lagerstroemias will be magic though. Close up photos of new soft wood close to the branch tips, and the main trunk should confirm species, as would bud, flower, seed pod if possible. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 8Nov 25, 2011 3:00 pm If they are Lagerstroemia you wont have a problem. I have mature ones against a retaining wall, drive way and the house with zero problems. Some varieties to sucker if you damage the roots though. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 10Nov 25, 2011 7:37 pm Just stick to the advice listed and you'll be fine. Consult an Arborist who is certified from the website provided to put your mind at ease. Overall it is a clever planting and done well other than the staking. Which should have the trees fall about inside those stakes rather than have them strapped. If it were a person standing up but someone held them up, would they get strong legs? No Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 11Nov 25, 2011 8:14 pm EmeryBB, the general landscape tree species is not a big tree, so no big roots that cause the problems. They are planted so close that as fu pointed out, there is bugger all chance of a problem. Consult an arborist, get a report and it will settle your mind. But really dont lose any sleep. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 13Nov 28, 2011 10:44 am Just found this thread. You will have a very attractive planting when they are in bloom...one of my favourite trees because they have pretty flowers and beautifully mottled bark. Pruning to shape is easy, are they all the same colour? I think you'll be pleased with them in another couple of years. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 14Nov 28, 2011 1:48 pm HappyCamper_au Just found this thread. You will have a very attractive planting when they are in bloom...one of my favourite trees because they have pretty flowers and beautifully mottled bark. Pruning to shape is easy, are they all the same colour? I think you'll be pleased with them in another couple of years. You reckon? I was over the moon when they planted those trees, they're lovely and quite tall already, it's free after all, I bet they must be expensive given their large size. Those planted in natural strip in front of the houses have beautiful burgundy or cherry colour leaves on top half part and green at the lower part, it reminds me of my old house back in the leafy eastern suburb. Edit: I think I might as well steal your signature. My builder removes 1 red dot a day, and my house has more red dots than mozzies at night. Built: Modified H3nl3y S0h0 Q1 in Melbourne :- Never again Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 16Nov 28, 2011 4:52 pm Hahaha....go ahead with the sig line, my builder has vanished into thin air never to be seen again!! You'll have to post a photo when the trees are in bloom, they are one of my all time favourites. Atm I only have a Dwarf Deep Cherry colour in a pot, the others were in the ground at the last house. I will plant more though. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 17Mar 03, 2013 6:31 pm Hi, I would like to know if planting prunus nigra within a 70cm garden bed up against a house is okay as the bedroom has a northern aspect and the full sun beats through the windows, I have told the owners (who are the ones who suggested this) if we put them in they will have to prune to keep them small and kept under the eaves I have seen them planted in quite a few situations like this, By keeping the tree to less than 2m will the root system cause any damage? I just want to have a clear conscience and not have to worry they will have problems with their house foundations, of course I will use the root barrier should I plant them. Please answer asap as this job is coming up soon and I have been searching on the net and I have seen these trees kept small but that garden bed is close and cant be made wider. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 18Mar 03, 2013 6:50 pm Sorry controlling the tree size/canopy will not control the root system by the same amount. Roots, by their very biology, must expand. There is not much you can do about that except make them grow where you want them to grow. To do this don't irrigate/allow rainfall runoff where you don't want roots. Also roots cannot grow in compacted soil, so dig a drench and stick your barrier in (if it makes you feel better) then compact the soil so its hard like concrete. Tree roots will not grow there. If you just have a trench with root barrier in it un-compacted the roots will go nuts as the soil will be soft and ripe for root growth. Eventually they will find a way around the barrier. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 19Mar 03, 2013 7:05 pm Will also add, why not just plant something else that is naturally smaller, with a naturally smaller root system?? In the spirit of the current thread something like a shrub crepe myrtle, eg Lagerstroemia indica 'Chisam Fire'. Compared to the prunus its a better plant, better flower, better autumn colour, less pests. Check out the 'indian summer' range of Lagerstroemia for other ideas. Re: yet another "Trees and root barrier" question 20Mar 04, 2013 9:31 am In perth especially the Northern suburbs the conditions are too harsh for crepe myrtles, our easterlys just fry the leaves, they do okay in sheltered spots in a southerly aspect. The suburb is new where I am doing the garden and I do have quite alot of plant knowledge with what will grow etc but like you suggested would normally go for a shrub , however the client wants the dark red colour and cordylines just fry, the prunus variety do well here there leaves dry off abit in extreme heat however there overall appearance is still good. I am very excited today we had our first rain only for an hour but I cant remember when we had our last rain well and truly over a month ago. I am thinking I will have to just do a stirling job on the root barrier and sealing it off from the house side as the roots can go as far as they like in the other direction. I also wanted something deciduous so that in the winter months they have the sun comming through and able to withstand our extreme weather conditions. Thankyou for replying so promptly, I will inform the owner of the risk with planting trees so close to their house and let them decide. 1 6629 Hi, I had a barrier reef pool installed less that 2 years ago and the gel coat is already fading. The colour is electric grey shimmer which isn’t available… 0 3825 I’m not a structural engineer but I’m free. you still need an engineer for the plans. I only have part of your plans, but you seem to have a 850mm drop from the side… 3 9956 |