Septic leech field... built around existing tree

[servion]

My wife and I just closed on a house out in Peyton, CO about 6 weeks ago. Its our first time living out of town and we're new to all this septic/well/etc situation. LOVING living out of the city, hoping someone here can educate us a bit. I have been reading about septic systems, and I'm reading that you should not put trees on or near the leech field because the roots can grow and destroy the pipes, etc.

Well, our new house (it is new and was finished 6 months ago, the septic system was finished a year ago) had the leech field dug AROUND an existing tree. I've included pictures of the tree and of the leech field. We didn't know that this could be an issue until after closing, and we're wonder what we need to do. I found pictures of the leech field being dug on the builder's website, and it clearly shows that the tree was there when they built the leech field. I'm not sure what type of tree it is, we're near the black forest in Peyton/Colorado Springs, CO, and I "think" its a ponderosa pine, but I'm not sure on that (maybe someone here can tell me?). Its approximately 6' tall and the trunk at the ground level is ~4" in diameter.

What I'm wondering is, do I need to cut down/dig up this tree? And if so, can that be done with the field in place without damaging it? Or do I leave it and let it grow? Is the leech pit "over the tree" roots and therefore not an issue, or did the builder of the leech field screw up by leaving the tree there when building the field? My septic paperwork shows that the "units" are between 18" and 12" deep throughout the field.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[powerpace]

It should have been removed when the lines were put in. It will cause problems later.

 

[BigMike50]

double post

 

[BigMike50]

That tree is so small you can justcut it at grade level. just get rid of it now. no need to pull the whole ball out

 

[Dingeryote]

Get it outta there.

That little booger will have roots clogging the drain field within 5 years if given a chance.
Just flush cut the thing, dig a hole around the stump to make a bowl, drop in some charcoal, and burn it sub flush. Done.

Some top soil and grass, is all you want over any drain field.

Congrats on the new hooch away from the insanity!

 

[CurlyDave]

I agree with removing the tree but leaving the root ball in the ground. If the stump is killed, the roots will rot away slowly, which is just what you want.

I would cut it off as close to flush as you can and the paint it with roundup within a few minutes of making the cut. This will kill the stump and the roots. and that is all you need.

If it sends up shoots, get out the pruning lopper and cut them off until the stump is dead.

 

[Pilot]

Just cut it flush. If it sprouts, 2,4-d will kill it.

Yes, it looks like a ponderosa--scrawny, tho.

 

[smstonypoint]

I don't know about the pine species in the West, but those in my neck of the woods (Virginia, shortleaf, loblolly) will not sprout if you cut them off below the lowest living limb.

Steve

 

[riptides]

...Well, our new house (it is new and was finished 6 months ago, the septic system was finished a year ago) had the leech field dug AROUND an existing tree.

Pretty odd that it would pass finals with a tree in the middle of it all??? Is there an easement or tree removal/visuals/HOA involved in keeping it????

 

[PILOON]

25-30 years back when our lake switched over to proper tanks/fields the environment guys suggested that we could plant any shallow rooted plants including flower beds.
Rhubarb, lettuce and most flowers will thrive over a field and greatly help the field perform.
Saves need to water the flowers as well.
For sure trees are a no-no.
When the inspectors verify for conformity they look for a nice flat area that is greener than surrounding vegetation carved out of the forest.
Evolution now has it that we pump mandatory every 2 years. (4 for seasonal dwellings)
My property being forested requires me to frequently pull cedar saplings from my field otherwise I get the healthiest trees to make hedges.
Maybe I should start a sideline, 'hedge cedars for sale' LOL.

 

[homedad]

Cut it.

 

[PRF]

Make sure you pump your septic tank out every couple years too, depending on how much goes in... You don't want solids going out to your leach fields.. Good luck in the new home !!

 

[jinman]

Cut it and replace it with a sycamore. . . Just kiddin' :laughing:

I think I would not want any kind of tree within 35' of your field if you can help it. If you have trees closer, flush a tub of copper sulfate down your toilet every six months. Tree roots will do a u-turn to get away from copper sulfate.

 

[dave1949]

I think I would cut it off at ground level and forget it. Like Steve said, pines do not sprout when cut below the first branches.

I wondered if there was any thought as to why it was left in the field, but the rooting characteristics of ponderosa pine, going for water, seems risky to leave it even with the larger chamber system. The tree on the left side of the pic showing the field layout and chambers is also too close. Its roots will eventually be in the field.

Tree Species Compendium --Ponderosa pine
Root System Characteristics Ponderosa pine develops deep taproots (up to 50 cm in watered soils in the first growing season). Mature trees have roots to depths of more than 200 cm in coarse-textured soils but less than 100 cm in fine-textured soils. In open-canopy stands lateral roots may extend 46 m. The main root mass is concentrated within the top 60 cm. Roots of ponderosa pine are associated with both ecto- and endo-mycorrhizae.

 

[yelbike]

25-30 years back when our lake switched over to proper tanks/fields the environment guys suggested that we could plant any shallow rooted plants including flower beds.
Rhubarb, lettuce and most flowers will thrive over a field and greatly help the field perform.
Saves need to water the flowers as well.
For sure trees are a no-no.
When the inspectors verify for conformity they look for a nice flat area that is greener than surrounding vegetation carved out of the forest.
Evolution now has it that we pump mandatory every 2 years. (4 for seasonal dwellings)
My property being forested requires me to frequently pull cedar saplings from my field otherwise I get the healthiest trees to make hedges.
Maybe I should start a sideline, 'hedge cedars for sale' LOL.

I would not plant anything edible near a leach field. I don't know what starts the whole mad cow thing or the problems with the hogs, but i don't eat where i poop, so why grow it there. I think its a legitimate risk for disease.

 

[fordmantpw]

I would not plant anything edible near a leach field. I don't know what starts the whole mad cow thing or the problems with the hogs, but i don't eat where i poop, so why grow it there. I think its a legitimate risk for disease.

Do you really how much animal poop is used for fertilizer?

As long as it isn't dumped on the plants, it'll be fine. Coming up through the root system is completing different than having it on the veggies themselves.

 

[yelbike]

Do you really how much animal poop is used for fertilizer?

As long as it isn't dumped on the plants, it'll be fine. Coming up through the root system is completing different than having it on the veggies themselves.

And that's why i said " I think" and " I don't know"

 

[fordmantpw]

Just giving you a hard time.

As a rule of thumb, meat-eating animals' feces should not be used as fertilizer. Horse, chicken, turkey, rabbit poo are some commonly used fertilizers for gardens. My wife won't let me use any for the reasons you mentioned...it grosses her out just thinking about it.

A slightly raised bed (to avoid tilling down into the field) would be great for gardening in that area IMO.

 

[dmccarty]

I *** ASSUME *** your septic field pipes are buried in gravel. Driving a tractor *** MIGHT *** be ok in the field but I would be careful. Our septic lines are NOT buried in gravel and driving the tractor in the septic field is a big no no.

As others have said, just cut the tree down and let the stump rot or burn it out. I would NOT try to dig it out. Too much risk hitting your septic laterals.

Our septic field is in the woods. Two big trees were in the field and left there after the septic system was installed. Both trees died because the roots were cut and I have cut the trees down. The stumps are still in place rotting. Our soil is so poor, the health department did not want the stumps dug up because it would disturb the soil.

Later,
Dan

 

[SPIKER]

Cut it and replace it with a sycamore. . . Just kiddin' :laughing:

I think I would not want any kind of tree within 35' of your field if you can help it. If you have trees closer, flush a tub of copper sulfate down your toilet every six months. Tree roots will do a u-turn to get away from copper sulfate.

heheh ya that or some Willows right...

Not sure of the Copper Sulfate (definitely NO on flushing it) but adding a Nylon Stocking full hung into the diverter box could be OK so anytime a rush of water is sent out it gets a dab of Copper Sulfate.

That LAST PIC on page 1 shows a pine on the left of the field it also should be taken out as looks maybe 8'~10' away at most. like others said. cut it flush to ground level, drill a few holes fill with used oil/diesel & pour on some charcoal & burn it...

Mark