"UKCat" wrote in message
s.com...
Hi, I'm a newbie to this site, so hi to everyone !

We've moved to a house where the garden has been left to it's own
devices for years so we have an excellent (???) opportunity to redesign
it from scratch.

At the moment, there is a Cherry Tree in place, but we are worried that
the roots will crack and lift the small stone wall we wish to build.

Can anyone please advise if there is a way to contain the roots, so
that they will not spread any further ? Does keeping the branches well
trimmed force all the growth back to the branches, rather than the
roots ?


Should that say "Does keeping the _roots_ well trimmed force all the growth
back to the branches, rather than the roots ?"

If it should say that, then No; if it did, then root pruning bonsai trees
would give you 6ft tall bonsai!!
Trees need the roots to gather water and nutrients. If you prune its roots
(difficult to do if its in the ground) you will restrict its growth. If you
prune the branches, then in my experience, you'll kill it!(maybe I was
unlucky with my cherry tree?)

How about putting some paving slabs or similar on edge against the
foundations of the wall, or the wall itself if its the sort that is used to
retain soil?

T
WggggggggggggqqT
WS
gggggggggggggWS
WS


or

W
W T
gggggggggggggWgggggggggggggT
WS
S
S


where g=ground, W=stone wall, S=slab, T+Tree

--
Tumbleweed

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