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Old 26-12-2003, 02:32 AM
Peter Jason
 
Posts: n/a
Default How do I suppress the growth ot tree roots?

Thanx for all replies....
I have been reading up on this, and copper sulfate is used to flush down
toilets to dissuade roots penetrating cracked sewer pipes, and to kill roots
present already.

The corpses of these killed roots are meant to rot away
after the treatment, though the copper may supress this since bacteria and
fungi are plants too.

I must check out the copper-injection process because
this might be done in a root far from the parent tree.

The tree in question is deciduous (possibly an Elm)
which shows vigorous growth every spring.



"Pam - gardengal" wrote in message
news:xklFb.613807$Tr4.1594632@attbi_s03...

"Stephen M. Henning" wrote in message
news
"Peter Jason" wrote:

I want to stop the growth of tree roots under my house.
I hear that copper nails, hammered into the root in question, will do

this.

"Not only is a copper nail not only not going to kill the tree, but it
is a primary components of many fungicides." [Western Chapter
International Society of Arboriculture]


A copper nail may not kill the tree, but copper in sufficient quantity is
toxic to most plants. Copper is often used in nursery containers for trees
to kill off root shoots to prevent girdling. Copper sulphate injections
are
sometimes used to kill invasive roots, in much the same manner the OP

wishes
to achieve. I would do some research on proper quantities before

attempting
this solution, however, to prevent killing off the entire plant.

pam - gardengal