Tap rooted trees.

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: Tap rooted trees.

I'm looking for trees which have a root that goes straight down without spreading far and wide.

The reason is that they're to be planted next to ponds and I don't want to crack the concrete walls or bases.

I know Cordylines from New Zealand and Scots Pine have such roots. Rowan is another tree that has been suggested. Apple trees don't work because I've just hooked out 8 of them with strong and vigorous spreading roots. Two tall copper beeches are next to go.

Anyone any suggestions?

KS.

Sive · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject:

oh dear, kindred spirit....why are you going to destroy such beautiful trees?

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject:

What I am thinking of doing instead, is to lop the Beeches to say 15 feet high.

This would probably keep the leaves on all winter but would restricting the height stop the roots from spreading? That would be the hope.

By the way, if I did lop them, it would be done in an extremely tasteful manner and a lot of people wouldn't realize they were lopped.

I've changed my back garden completely. Out has gone the orchard and grass and in have come ponds, sandstone patios, pea gravel drives. When it's finished, I hope it will an oasis of calm and peace with the sound of water. (And no sound of a lawnmower!) One of the apple trees, someone estimated (I think exagerated) that it had 5,000 apples. I just couldn't find anyone to take the apples. I got a JCB to bury them all in the end.

No-one seems to know anything about root styles of different trees. I thought I'd find a reference book but no luck.

cooler · Ash Tree Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 239

I wouldn't have thought that crababbles would be too much trouble in the root department. It is extremely rare for tree roots to crack the walls of a concrete pond even after years and years of growth. To be honest I think you may feel safer planting some of those that fall into the large shrub/small tree bracket such as holly, hazel, hawthorn etc.

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

would you not have thought of making your own cider?

BlackBird · Ash Tree Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 208

If you are looking for tap rooted trees seek out trees from areas where water is scarce. The tap root has developed to 'tap' deep into the soil for water reserves rather than spread out. So cordyline as mentioned, I reckon also Acacia and Trachycarpus. I believe many cypress and cedars also have tap roots.

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

kindredspirit · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

kindredspirit · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Sb · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: