I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)

"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

I reckon it will be fine. We've had to cut back apple tree roots before now.

I believe (but have no evidence or experience) that such cutting can
stimulate the tree into better fruiting.

Mary

In article .com,
says...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)


I put in a retaining wall and path 2 years ago which meant going past a
large established apple with a trench 1M deep at about 1M distance, I had
to chain saw through 5 or 6 large roots. like you I was worried about the
tree, I did reduce the branchs by a third. the following season it
cropped well and again this year so it can't have been that upset!
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

On 7 Nov, 12:06, Charlie Pridham wrote:
In article .com,
says... I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)

I put in a retaining wall and path 2 years ago which meant going past a
large established apple with a trench 1M deep at about 1M distance, I had
to chain saw through 5 or 6 large roots. like you I was worried about the
tree, I did reduce the branchs by a third. the following season it
cropped well and again this year so it can't have been that upset!
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwallwww.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

Thanks guys - fruiting could well be reduced, rather than increased !
It's a prolific Bramley. It's due for an energetic prune this autumn
anyway.

Rob

"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)


My only concern would be as it is so close to the tree, more roots growing
and damaging the drain you are about to lay. At my last house, the
neighbours drain was blocked and that turned out to be tree roots which had
damaged the drain and the roots grown in it. That was a 'new' bungalow built
in the grounds of my house and it only took 'about' 20 years for this to
happen :-(

Mike


--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

'Mike' wrote:
"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)


My only concern would be as it is so close to the tree, more roots growing
and damaging the drain you are about to lay. At my last house, the
neighbours drain was blocked and that turned out to be tree roots which had
damaged the drain and the roots grown in it. That was a 'new' bungalow built
in the grounds of my house and it only took 'about' 20 years for this to
happen :-(

Mike


Tree roots only grow into drains where there is already a leak, they go
there, naturally to seek out water.

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
'Mike' wrote:
"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)


My only concern would be as it is so close to the tree, more roots
growing and damaging the drain you are about to lay. At my last house,
the neighbours drain was blocked and that turned out to be tree roots
which had damaged the drain and the roots grown in it. That was a 'new'
bungalow built in the grounds of my house and it only took 'about' 20
years for this to happen :-(

Mike


Tree roots only grow into drains where there is already a leak, they go
there, naturally to seek out water.

and the moral of the story is 'Make sure your drains don't leak and encase
them in concrete when you lay them'

:-)))

Kind regards

Mike


--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

On 7 Nov, 18:09, "'Mike'" wrote:
"Broadback" wrote in message

...



'Mike' wrote:
"Rob G" wrote in message
groups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)

My only concern would be as it is so close to the tree, more roots
growing and damaging the drain you are about to lay. At my last house,
the neighbours drain was blocked and that turned out to be tree roots
which had damaged the drain and the roots grown in it. That was a 'new'
bungalow built in the grounds of my house and it only took 'about' 20
years for this to happen :-(

Mike

Tree roots only grow into drains where there is already a leak, they go
there, naturally to seek out water.

and the moral of the story is 'Make sure your drains don't leak and encase
them in concrete when you lay them'

:-)))

Kind regards

Mike

--www.rneba.org.ukfor the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navywww.rneba.org.ukto find your ex-Greenie mess mateswww.iowtours.comfor all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

Actually that's not necessary - all I need to do is to ensure that it
is one length of plastic pipe as it goes passed the tree. I suspect
that all the stories of tree roots and drains pertain to good old
fashioned clay/porcelain drains.

Rob

"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

It's shallow, can't you leave it, dig under and feed the pipe through?

In article ,
says...


"Broadback" wrote in message
...
'Mike' wrote:
"Rob G" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've a trench to dig for a drain pipe. Unfortunately the situation
demands that it goes about 600mm from an established apple tree
(20years old). There's only one root (25mm dia) at right angles to
the trench some 75mm below the ground level that concerns me - I think
I'm safe enough to cut it but it would be comforting if someone could
confirm this please.

Rob

(X posted to UK DIY)


My only concern would be as it is so close to the tree, more roots
growing and damaging the drain you are about to lay. At my last house,
the neighbours drain was blocked and that turned out to be tree roots
which had damaged the drain and the roots grown in it. That was a 'new'
bungalow built in the grounds of my house and it only took 'about' 20
years for this to happen :-(

Mike


Tree roots only grow into drains where there is already a leak, they go
there, naturally to seek out water.

and the moral of the story is 'Make sure your drains don't leak and encase
them in concrete when you lay them'

:-)))

Kind regards

Mike



Drains should never be encased in concrete, the trenches are normally
backfilled with gravel to allow movement, its laying in concrete that is
one of the ways to cause cracks and leaks in the first place.
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

"Charlie Pridham" wrote in message
T...

and the moral of the story is 'Make sure your drains don't leak and
encase
them in concrete when you lay them'

:-)))

Kind regards

Mike



Drains should never be encased in concrete, the trenches are normally
backfilled with gravel to allow movement, its laying in concrete that is
one of the ways to cause cracks and leaks in the first place.
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

That's interesting Charlie because years ago, like the very early 60's, all
the drains on a new Housing Estate were laid and then covered in concrete,
however, a few years back when I had a lot of work done on my present house,
part of which involved a new kitchen in what was the Dining Room, extra
drains had to be laid for the Sink, Dishwasher and Washing Machine, and as
you say, these were back filled with gravel!!

Times are a changing!!

Mike



--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand