Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Apr 10, 2012 11:33 am Hi Fu I posted a question on another thread but thought I'll upload it in the correct location. I LOVE silver birches and would like to plant a copse of 3 in my backyard. I would like to know if planting them so close to the house (as I've seen it in many gardens) does pose a problem to the slab? They will be planted 4-5 meters from the house. As well, is there a way to control the size of the trees or their roots from spreading too far? Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Silver birch tree 2Apr 10, 2012 3:53 pm Bagheera Hi Fu I posted a question on another thread but thought I'll upload it in the correct location. I LOVE silver birches and would like to plant a copse of 3 in my backyard. I would like to know if planting them so close to the house (as I've seen it in many gardens) does pose a problem to the slab? They will be planted 4-5 meters from the house. As well, is there a way to control the size of the trees or their roots from spreading too far? Hi Bagheera,everyone seems to be frightened about the root systems of trees.The real problem here is that the Lifestyle programs always seem to say o not put this or that tree in your garden:. This is just to make it sound dramatic.They never give the rest of the information because it sounds too mundane. If you keep a tree to a reasonable size you will never have a problem.What ever the size of the tree head that is the size of the rootball. A tree that has a head size of say 5 metres is not going to develop a root ball of 10 or more metres to hold it in the ground. This just does not happen.Over the years we have used all types of trees including the Moreton Bay Fig and we have never had a problem. Topiarius Re: Silver birch tree 3Apr 10, 2012 4:17 pm I know that some of the trees have more invasive root systems. We used to have a liquid amber planted 2 meters from the corner of the old house and there was some damage to the footpath and the driveway but not to the house. I always assumed that there was no damage to the house due to the fact that it was on a raised foundation. What worries me is all this talk about the damage they can do to the homes on slab. From your experience how do you keep a silver birch down in size? They are known to grow up to 20+m high. I believe that pruning is not an option as it will lose the shape and might leak sap. Is there a way to keep the roots contained to keep the size of the tree in control? Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Silver birch tree 4Apr 11, 2012 2:46 pm Bagheera I know that some of the trees have more invasive root systems. We used to have a liquid amber planted 2 meters from the corner of the old house and there was some damage to the footpath and the driveway but not to the house. I always assumed that there was no damage to the house due to the fact that it was on a raised foundation. What worries me is all this talk about the damage they can do to the homes on slab. From your experience how do you keep a silver birch down in size? They are known to grow up to 20+m high. I believe that pruning is not an option as it will lose the shape and might leak sap. Is there a way to keep the roots contained to keep the size of the tree in control? It is really easy to keep any tree to size and the way you want it to look by useing Directional Cuts as shown in the thread of that name. Topiarius Re: Silver birch tree 5Apr 11, 2012 7:39 pm topiarius Bagheera I know that some of the trees have more invasive root systems. We used to have a liquid amber planted 2 meters from the corner of the old house and there was some damage to the footpath and the driveway but not to the house. I always assumed that there was no damage to the house due to the fact that it was on a raised foundation. What worries me is all this talk about the damage they can do to the homes on slab. From your experience how do you keep a silver birch down in size? They are known to grow up to 20+m high. I believe that pruning is not an option as it will lose the shape and might leak sap. Is there a way to keep the roots contained to keep the size of the tree in control? It is really easy to keep any tree to size and the way you want it to look by useing Directional Cuts as shown in the thread of that name. Topiarius Hi Bagheera,send me your email via PM and I shall send you the video Topiarius Hello. I just bought a few acres in Habana, Mackay, and my horses seem to love hanging around under this tree. I would like to name the paddock after this tree. Can… 0 9528 Fellow Perth dweller. Looks like pruns nigra. It's a dark leaf flowering plum. Doesn't get massive and is easily trimmed deciduous tree. Very popular in small gardens in Perth 7 2759 |