Palm roots, foundations and pavement
Q: Final calendar year, you wrote an report declaring the roots that are on top rated of the floor by palm trees are lifeless. Is it ok to reduce them off? Will these roots harm my foundation or concrete?
— Jackie, Port St. Lucie
A: Palm roots grow from an space of energetic mobile progress at the foundation of the trunk and are termed adventitious roots.
In some palms, the roots improve over the floor. The roots become dry and inactive when uncovered previously mentioned ground but are nevertheless an integral section of the plant procedure. This is a common procedure/characteristic in palms.
Some people today discover the look of uncovered adventitious roots undesirable and would like to possibly eliminate them or go over them.
Covering uncovered palm roots is also burying further the present performing, active roots, which slows or stops people roots from absorbing h2o and vitamins essential to preserve the health and fitness of the palm. Do not minimize or or else clear away the lifeless-seeking adventitious roots.
Roots will need oxygen, drinking water, and friable — unfastened or effortlessly crumbled — soil for development. Roots, palms or other trees will mature underneath or into foundations with an invitation only.
The soils underneath foundations are dry, compacted and small in oxygen. Roots do not develop underneath foundations unless of course there is some breach, this kind of as a cracked or damaged water line.
Palm roots are usually considerably less than a finger-width in sizing and prefer to expand in the route of the very least resistance strong concrete is averted if doable.
On the other hand, lifting and destruction can come about when palms are planted against or in a cutout in a walkway or other paved surface area and the trunk and roots distribute to their pure width. It is most effective to plant trees and palms contemplating its best dimensions and root technique, at minimum 10- to 15-feet away from the home.
There are many methods to root/framework conflicts. Some alternatives are most effective utilised in the setting up and style phases. Some others are utilized immediately after the damage takes place. Dr. Ed Gilman, professor emeritus University of Florida, did in depth research on this topic.
The final results are offered at the University of Florida’s “Landscape Crops, Trees” — http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/index.shtml — specifically, “Root Conflicts” — https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/city-roots.shtml.
Other assets include things like College of Missouri “Tree Placement on Property Grounds” — https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6900 — and “USDA Cooperative Extension Tree Placement and Planting Video Series” — https://trees-strength-conservation.extension.org/tree-placement-and-planting-movie-sequence/.
Although it is generally complicated to determine to take away a tree, occasionally the best decision is to do just that. Check out with all municipalities and home-owner associations.
Permits and authorization are often necessary right before eliminating a tree. Strategy to plant a alternative tree or two in improved areas to reap the added benefits of a tree-shaded home and neighborhood.
Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Mail issues to [email protected] or stop by www.lawn-doc.com for extra data.