In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Tree Trimming and root growth

CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
I'm building a pizza oven this spring-summer and will have the situation below to deal with

Once this oven is complete, I will have a young (8 year old) Maple tree about 6-8' from the back of my oven pad.

The tree is of decent height (15') and provides the patio (faces West) a bit of shade from the afternoon/evening sun. I'm worried about roots near the surface of the ground, possibly causing issues with my oven.

3 possibilities:
1 - Remove the Tree
2 - Go on with the tree as is, keep an eye on the roots and take it down if necessary (Could be too late by that time)
3 - Keep the tree trimmed so as to keep the root growth to a minimum.

Can you see any problems with this tree's roots? I'd like to keep it, but will take it down should there be chance of any issues.

I don't even know if #3 is an option (I will talk to a local greenhouse and possibly a Purdue Horticulturist about this).

I have a couple other maples of similar age and they have some shallow roots as well.

Given the time and financial investment for this oven, I want to make sure I error on the safe side of things with this tree.
Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.

Comments

  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You cannot make a tree healthier by pruning it. Rather than toping, take it down if you are worried. If the pad will be between the tree and any source of water, the roots could become a problem.

    Heat from the oven may be a problem for the tree.

    Number 2 is your safest, most conservative option.
  • cranky2cranky2 Member Posts: 3,236 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It shouldn't be a problem unless your just pouring a slab on top of the ground.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm no arborist but the roots could pose a problem later... quote:From Wikipeadia:
    Most maples are trees growing to 10-45 m (33-148 ft) height. Others are shrubs less than 10 metres tall with a number of small trunks originating at ground level. Most species are deciduous, but a few in southern Asia and the Mediterranean region are evergreen. Most are shade-tolerant when young and are often riparian, understory, or pioneer species rather than * overstory trees with a few exceptions such as Sugar Maple. Many of the root systems are typically dense and fibrous, inhibiting the growth of other vegetation underneath them. A few species, notably Acer cappadocicum, frequently produce root sprouts, which can develop into clonal colonies.Maple trees I have here are of the clonal type.
    Shoots sprout up everywhere and the roots are very tough to get rid of.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tree roots grow the most in spring and early summer.[;)]
Sign In or Register to comment.