Encroachment of tree roots,Any council rules?

Xiem starts with ...
I have had this problem in the past. The next door (absentee) landlords had a huge street tree in their front yard which took all the water from adjoining gardens. It really was an inappropriate tree for its position. On the other side of me I had a neighbour who let invasive wild (hackberry) seedlings grow on the fenceline. These large "aggressive" trees are seeded by birds and quickly monopolise surrounding areas. It is very frustrating. Often these people are ignorant about gardening or just plain selfish. For root invasion a ditch digger along the border every year or so would probably be an effective control but I never resorted to this because of the expense, and damage to my own garden.

VF says...
Local laws can also hinder the owner of some problem trees. You can have problems removing inappropriate trees that you may have planted yourself, as local law may prohibit you to remove any plant larger than a certain height or circumference. Or even when making a fire break around your home - the previous owner of my property was fined $20,000 for removing gums that were a fire hazard.

amanda says...
That case is a bit unfair isn't it VF? There are "subtle" ways of removing trees in this instance ;-)
Fire is such a serious issue here that my Shire would likely make me take those trees out...sigh.

SG...the only thing I can suggest is asking them to assist you with the costs of inserting a geotextile root barrier?
Perhaps you could mention to them that under Common Law they may be responsible for any damage to your property - caused by root intrusion from their tree...?

Tread softly, softly ;-)

Mike says...
Councils and dept of justice grapple with definition of nuisance trees,risk to infrastructure,owners etc and usually don't want to get involved.For tree roots unless they are threatening public utilities it could be difficult.Sometimes it is better to seek forgiveness than permission or just put it down to phytophthora.

amanda says...
:-D The best murder is always the one that is not traceable, for sure..

VF says...
"Fertilising" sounds the way to go...

amanda says...
Sounds like it was a Personal post/comment/attack John....that's a no-no remember..? We are just discussing ferrtilisers here...

Mike says...
The gravity of the infringement is equivalent to that of inciting someone to plant a shrub on a council easement.I think john has a point about freedom to comment on a garden show presenter.The station wouldn't keep him as host at the costa ratings unless he is being groomed for another role.The ratings race in this slot has long been like the tortoise and the hair so it might not matter.

Mike says...
john that last sentence is not helpful.It is not usually considered a personal attack to make comments on the performance of those in the public arena.This could be an actors' performance or outfit, or a singers new track.Why should a TV garden presenter be any different?

snottiegobble says...
Thanks for the link Amanda, it certainly gives me "fuel" when I approach the local council this week!

amanda says...
Hey c'mon - let's find a way around this problem..?
Maybe if we just report anything we think might be 'dodgy' to Correy - rather than delete it ourselves...? Let him decide instead?

Spam and outright abusive posts should be our main concern perhaps..?

(Mike, in the past topics have been started just to stir things up...not because they have any merit as such...but you are right - and the topic would be one to report to Correy instead...?)

GardeningAustraliaWanabee says...
Daleys wouldn't waste their time reading why some irrelevant person decided to delete other people's posts.
Small minds for small people.

snottiegobble says...
I am approaching my local council tomorrow to pursue 'common law rights; & a request for removal of dangerous overhanging branches. I think that I will be responsible for costs re. any root cutting on my side, but oh well, sh--- happens.

Xiem says...
I'm not sure that raised beds are a solution to root invasion. Nor barriers. I have seen how roots can get into a concrete covered sewer and block it completely, probably starting with an explorer root finer than a human hair. A ditch witch will cut the roots off at the fenceline but at what intervals the trenching has to be repeated is the unknown factor.

Xiem says...
The ditch witch will certainly cut finger-thickness roots but with fat ones you will need an axe, dear Henry. An axe will make a clean cut that you can "dose" with your elixir of choice. If you are going to stick a chainsaw in the dirt, it might be preferable to use a hired one.

amanda says...
That's no good Julie!? What kind of membrane/barrier was it? (so I know to avoid it in future :)

Julie says...
No, but I might be able to find out. It was black plastic - that's all I can remember,not geotextile. Is that better?

amanda says...
Mine more like this...a polyester type stuff?
Wish I had taken a pic of the acacia roots trying to get into the sub surface dripper retic now...! They totally over rated as "nursery trees" I think! They are rapacious.

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Julie says...
That sounds like it MJ. It's possible the type of trees could affect how useful it is. I have a row of Eucalyptus grandis on the other side of the fence. The roots just went down and under.

They are enormous!

MJ says...
Crumbs! Nothing around here that it 50m, so hopefully it will work. I was planning to use it as a border along my various areas, and then use a geotextile elsewhere.

amanda says...
MJ - you are trying to keep roots 'in' rather than 'out' aren't you...? It should be much easier to intall an intact barrier at the planting stage (so roots can't escape) but I am wondering then if you would get poor root development...

I have only seen root barriers used like this for big bamboos...

Has anyone seen it used as a 'retainer' for fruit trees?

Mike T says...
Julie I dug a containment ditch some years ago along one boundary and cut through some big roots.For a while it was like holding back the tide and in a moment of clarity I decided to strike back and dish it out.On reflection IO'm glad I did.
When people ask me to name my poison I usually say bourbon.What I should say is my brew of choice in the garden is blackberry and tree killer from bunnies with a dash of glyphosate diluted to about 60%.

Mike says...
SG I hope you don't mean you're taking up drinking instead of gardening.It is all very predictable and the problem tree will no doubt be getting on the 'sauce' as well.

snottiegobble says...
Who would think that just cutting a few roots off on my side of the fence ( which I`m entitled to do) would have such a devastating effect on a 20 mtr tree??? Ahem!Ahem! Now to ring 'Dial before you Dig'.

Mike says...
Luckily trees usually fall in the opposite direction of the severed roots.

MJ says...
Amanda, I do want to keep roots mostly in. I've got a call in to that geotextile company to see what they'd recommend.

Mike says...
SG sorry if I misled you with that statement.Replace 'usually' with nearly always' and it may be closer to the truth.The same is the case for most trunk damage.I didn't even name my poison.

Mike T says...
SG large urban mammalian foragers (my friend john yesterday) can reduce your net productivity as much as tree roots.Flying foxes,birds,bugs and bandicoots cause fewer losses than these marauders.

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snottiegobble says...
Mike T yes a good speciMAN, & obviously one whose diet is often at your place!!

MaryT says...
And I bet you were doing the loading, Mike. You are always so generous. Does anyone ever leave your place empty handed? :)