Neighbor invasive roots (forum)

Thithi starts with ...
I have choosen a spot in my garden next to the fence for my jackfruit seedling but discovered that my neighbor tree roots cover the area. I intend to cut the root of their tree which is really close to the fence. My question is if the neighbor tree dies because of me cutting the root, am I in trouble legally?

Time: 16th December 2014 5:19pm

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About the Author Thithi
MELBOURNE,0,NT
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Al says...
I've the same problem Thithi and also want to plant up the area in question, condition the soil etc.
My concern is not so much the health of the neighbour's tree - which hangs over the fence as well as its roots coming under - but stopping the roots from re-forming after 'trimming'. So, I'm digging down a little and putting in root barriers, which is a bigish job. This should be a longer term solution and save the nutrients I put down for the fruit trees.
I've read that just like top pruning, root pruning tends to encourage regrowth around the cut root area.


Time: 16th December 2014 7:50pm

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About the Author Al
South Golden Beach
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Julie 1 says...
Thithi, the tree is unlikely to die. I live in an orchard area surrounded by bush, and the orchardists regularly deep rip the roots of surrounding trees every couple of years. So it's not a permanent solution.

I spent a lot on root barriers, paying someone to dig deep trenches and bury the barrier. It worked for about a year, then the tree roots went under it.

If you cut the roots, you can paint them with a copper sulphate solution which won't kill the tree. I'm not even sure that this works either!

Time: 16th December 2014 8:45pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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Thithi says...
Thanks al and julie,
I have not cut the tree rootz yet. The tree canopy is not crossed over to my garden but the roots are. I dont mind if a bit of neighbour tree roots in my garden. What i am worrying is the tree that i'd grow next to fence will be too small to 'fight' with the big tree. I worry if cut it now, the roots will go deeper underground, and i will have to dig deeper to remove its roots later. (Because of the roots issue, i think i may plant my tree next year instead)

Time: 15th January 2015 12:03am

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Original Post was last edited: 15th January 2015 12:02am
About the Author Thithi
MELBOURNE,3000,VIC
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Thithi says...
Pic1 is the neighbor tree
Pic2 is its roots
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 15th January 2015 12:07am

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Original Post was last edited: 15th January 2015 12:08am
About the Author Thithi
MELBOURNE,3000,VIC
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Julie 1 says...
Thithi, anything you try and grow there will have very stiff competition. The mature tree will take up any water and fertilisers you give to your tree.

I've found the only solution to growing under trees in plants in pots. You have to raise them up on bricks or slabs, or the roots will grow into the pots. Believe me, this is the voice of experience!

Time: 15th January 2015 10:32pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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sternus1 says...
They won't take all the water and nutrients, but yes-- you'll have to dramatically increase water and fertiliser to accommodate the extra competition.


The most important thing to do is cleave out all the roots and let them die off for a few months before planting, giving the roots of the tree you want to grow a big advantage. Competition will be lesser and worse depending on the invading species. Tropicals do much better because they have shallower root systems than natives in particular, so for things such as this, is not much of an issue.

Time: 15th January 2015 10:43pm

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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