trenchers and tree roots

[kossetx]

I'm thinking about renting a trencher to put in some electrical and water lines to various places around my property. I have to trench through some heavily treed areas. Do trenchers cut through, lets say 2"-3" roots very well, and does this effect the trees if they do cut them? I only really need to bury the lines about a foot and from my limited experience I haven't encountered too many roots at that depth.

TIA for any suggestions, Mark

 

[radman1]

I cut through small roots with my SS trencher. Your trench is shallow and should not have too much trouble. My SS trencher will just stop if I take too big of a bite.

 

[firefighter9208]

Just be careful about trenching close to hardwoods. I have seen large trees killed by trenching too close.

Chris

 

[kossetx]

Thanks for the answers, but what's too close? I need to pass within 10' between 5 trees. Is that too close? I guess now would be the best time if they're dormant.

 

[radman1]

Thanks for the answers, but what's too close? I need to pass within 10' between 5 trees. Is that too close? I guess now would be the best time if they're dormant.

Probably impossible to answer. If cut through or into big root that supplies a good portion of the tree, you could kill it. As shallow as your trench is, you will probably be ok but that is a guess.

 

[jinman]

Thanks for the answers, but what's too close? I need to pass within 10' between 5 trees. Is that too close? I guess now would be the best time if they're dormant.

Here is a link to a Clemson University article:

Trees

Notice the inset note about root density not being like a carrot. Most of a trees roots are in the first 1' of soil. Many good tips are in this article.

 

[radman1]

Jinman
The article partly explains why it is impossible to answer with out knowing his terrain. Even then it is an educated guess. Not all trees read the articles. Native grassy areas, and the roots tend to go deep. I never see a root in grassy, dry areas unless near the tree. I live where is fairly hot and dry in the summer. More h2o - roots more shallow. Rocky areas roots more shallow.
Pines have shallow roots and spread more.

It always amazes me how many people on TBN can push small to moderate sized trees over with FEL because of shallow root system. No way can I do that.

 

[ns_in_tex]

I'm thinking about renting a trencher to put in some electrical and water lines to various places around my property. I have to trench through some heavily treed areas. Do trenchers cut through, lets say 2"-3" roots very well, and does this effect the trees if they do cut them? I only really need to bury the lines about a foot and from my limited experience I haven't encountered too many roots at that depth.

TIA for any suggestions, Mark

We recently wanted to put a water line under our paved driveway & it also was close to a tree. We were able to take 40' of 2" drill stem pipe, point the leading end & drill a water nozzel in it and then connect a water hose to the other end, and push it under the drive with our tractor. We hit roots a couple times but were able to try at differents angles & finally made it.
We then held a 1-1/2" pvc pipe against the end as we pulled the drill stem back out. Turned out to be a winner. We had an 1-1/2" water pipe under the drive.

Our tractor had hydrostatic drive, so we could hold pressure against it while the water did its thing, or easily work it back & forth when needed.

 

[cdhd2001]

City regs around here:

Root Zone:
1 ft. radius for each 1 inch trunk diameter.

Critical Root Zone:
1/2 the diameter of the Root Zone

Normally you can trench, excavate, or fill around a tree less than 180 degrees as long as you stay out of the Critical Root Zone. Any work done in the Critical Root Zone and the tree is considered "dead" and requires replacement mitigation.

 

[firefighter9208]

Thanks for the answers, but what's too close? I need to pass within 10' between 5 trees. Is that too close? I guess now would be the best time if they're dormant.

It doesn't matter if they are dormant or not. Next summer is when you'll pay the price. City water came through our community in the early 90's and my parents had a contractor run a water line from the road. He passed under a 4' diameter oak tree. The next summer the grass on the side of the trench away from the tree was green because the contractor had cut all the roots. Luckily he didn't cut enough that the tree survived, but this was a 4' in diameter oak that would have been a mess to take down if it had died.

The only thing that saved it was the trench was about 20' from the truck, but still under the canopy. It is my understanding that the feeder roots of a tree can extend as far away from the trunk as the canopy and even further.

Last year a new church was built close to our house and they paved around a 4' diameter oak tree. They left about an 8' opening in the concrete. By the end of the summer the tree was dead and they had to get a tree removal service to come in and take it down.

Chris