How Can I Protect Pavement and Pipes While Preserving Trees?
Tree roots can become a big problem when they get too close to your home’s pavement and pipes. They can crack your pavement and find their way into small openings in your underground pipes. The good news is that there are ways to prevent root damage without cutting down your trees.
In this blog, we’ll go over all the ways you can protect your pavement and pipes while protecting trees. We’ve put these methods in order, from easiest to hardest.
How to Protect Your Pavement and Pipes from Tree Roots
Reduce Soil Compaction Around Trees
The easiest way to stop roots from cracking your pavement is to make sure the soil around your trees isn’t compacted. Soil compaction might not seem like a big deal, but it has a big impact on how tree roots grow. When your soil is compacted, small pockets of air in the ground get squeezed out. Without these air pockets, it’s harder for tree roots to get water and oxygen. This forces the root system to adapt by moving closer to the surface instead of growing deeper into the ground. And that’s when tree roots are most likely to damage your pavement and pipes. Soil gets compacted over time from foot traffic and heavy equipment. So one of the best ways to avoid soil compaction is by protecting your tree root zones from heavy foot traffic and vehicles. Minimize walking or parking vehicles anywhere under your tree driplines (the outer edge of your trees’ canopies). If you’ve scheduled construction work, make sure you install construction fencing around your trees to minimize construction damage. Installing temporary fences around your tree protection zones helps keep construction equipment from compacting the soil around your trees. You can also reduce soil compaction by adding a layer of mulch around the base of your trees. Mulch helps retain water and reduces surface pressure on the soil.
Give Your Tree Roots Enough Space
This tip is for homeowners who want to add new trees to their property. We know this tip isn’t very useful if you’re dealing with an older tree’s roots, but it has to be said: You can avoid a lot of tree root problems by just giving your trees enough space to grow. If you plant a tree too close to your pavement or pipes, there’s a good chance the roots will eventually push against your concrete or find their way into small openings in your pipes. If you want to add trees to your property, you have to consider how wide the root system will grow. Sometimes you can get away with planting ornamental trees, like Eastern redbuds, near pavement and pipes. But a larger tree species, like a red maple, will need a lot more room between its trunk and nearby pavement. Do you need help choosing the right tree to plant in your yard or garden? Call Joseph Tree to schedule a consultation today. We can give you advice on where you should and shouldn’t plant a tree.
Schedule Regular Root Pruning and Tree Maintenance Services
That last tip was for homeowners who want to add trees to their property. But what if you have an existing tree that’s too close to your pavement or pipes? If an old tree’s roots have started growing toward your sidewalks or driveway, our arborists can help you manage that growth through selective pruning. Here’s how tree root pruning works: First, we map out your tree’s root zone, the surrounding landscape, and where your pavement and pipes are. Then we carefully expose the roots near your pavement using air spades, trenching shovels, and other specialized tools. Next, we carefully start cutting the most problematic roots. We make clean cuts so the tree can heal properly. Once we’ve pruned the roots, we replace the soil and clean up. Tree root pruning is just one of many environmental preservation services we offer. We also offer tree trimming, health and pest treatments, and tree removal. Give us a call today to get a free estimate on our tree maintenance services.
Root Barriers, Special Pavement, and Pipe Upgrades
Most homeowners in Columbus can protect their pavement and pipes with the tips above. But some situations call for special solutions. These options are more expensive and usually require construction work:
Root Barriers
Root barriers are panels placed underground between a tree and the structure you want to protect. The goal with root barriers is to redirect the root system to grow deeper and away from pavement and pipes. These systems are used more often in commercial developments and city landscaping projects.
Structural Soil & Flexible Paving Systems
Structural soil is an engineered soil mixture made of soil and stone that supports pavement while still allowing space for roots to grow. Flexible paving systems create surfaces that are more flexible than concrete. They allow for slight movement as root systems expand underground.
Pipe Upgrades
Upgrading your pipes can give them better protection from root intrusion. Older plumbing systems are more vulnerable to root intrusion because they have more gaps. Modern plumbing materials have stronger seals and smoother connections.
Contact Joseph Tree for Tree Services in Columbus Ohio Today
We Can Help Your Trees & Gardens Recover from Construction Damage
Healthy trees are one of the best investments you can make in your landscape, but they need the right care to grow safely around your pipes and pavement. Root protection and avoiding soil compaction go a long way when it comes to preventing pavement damage.
Looking for an arborist that can help you protect your pipes and pavement? Our team at Joseph Tree can handle all of your tree services in Columbus, Ohio. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get a free estimate on tree services.