When a Tree's Roots Are Slowly Destroying Your Paving
Sometimes it might seem like a homeowner gives little thought to the long-term consequences of trees they plant on their property. Chosen for their aesthetic qualities, or for shade, the growth rate of a tree can be so slow that someone might not think about the ultimate size of a tree because they don't have to. By the time the trees become potentially problematic, the property may have changed hands several times, and it might be you who has to deal with the consequences. When these consequences mean that the tree's roots are starting to destabilise your driveway or another paving, what's the best way to proceed?
The Offending Roots
Your first options involve removing the offending root or roots while leaving the tree intact. It may be necessary to excavate a small section of your paving to access the roots. Treating specific roots can be tricky, so you shouldn't attempt to do this work yourself. For starters, it may take a qualified arborist to identify whether the tree will remain intact once the root has been removed.
Lateral Roots
If a root is branching outwards, it's likely that it's one of the tree's lateral roots. A tree needs these roots to remain anchored, as well as to derive nutrients from the soil. However, larger trees typically have multiple lateral roots, so removal won't always disadvantage the tree to the point that it won't survive. But this can be hard to determine until an arborist can actually inspect the roots to know exactly what they're working with.
Root Removal
When it's thought that root removal won't destabilise the tree, this can be achieved by a number of means. Simply cutting off the root is more common, but the root can also be injected with a localised agent (such as copper sulphate) that will kill the root without affecting the rest of the tree. A barrier can then be buried along the perimeter of the drive to stop the roots from regrowing where they're not welcome.
Tree Removal
You must also acknowledge the possibility that once the site has been excavated, your plan may need to be modified. Multiple lateral roots may be uncovered, and since they all need to be removed to prevent further damage to your paving in the coming years, this removal won't leave the tree with the necessary stability. In this case, outright tree removal might be the only way forward. If so, consider immediately planting another tree in the same location since the soil has been nicely aerated for this. Be sure to consult your arborist to choose a tree with a smaller, contained root system.
Sacrificing a tree that's slowly destroying your paving is the most effective solution, but there are other options to be explored too. Contact a tree removal service near you to learn more.