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Old 27-10-2004, 05:17 PM
Pam - gardengal
 
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"Spud Demon" wrote in message
...
"Warren" writes in article

74ffd.247265$wV.40076@attbi_s54 dated Mon, 25 Oct 2004 22:26:11 GMT:
How do they know there's water inside the pipes, or beyond the concrete?
Wouldn't the roots grow just as much in the other direction - maybe even
more if there was no resistance? What attracts them to the pool and
pipes? Smell? Visuals survalence from the branches, passed to the roots?
Can you fool them to think there's water in the oposite direction?


I disagree with the being attracted part (unless the pipes leak), but they
can definitely tear things up.

I had 2 willows (now, after a hellacious battle, 1). Both grew roots

across
the surface of the lawn and under the sidewalk, lifting it up and cracking
it. Cracking a pipe would be easy work for willow roots.

The one that remains is a giant. It looks good from a distance, but close
up it's a mess. It's always dropping branches, and the roots are horrible
to mow around. It's getting the axe soon, in favor of some bamboo.


Spud is correct - unless there are obvious leaks or cracks in the concrete,
willow roots will not necessarily be attracted to or "invade" pipes or break
through a vertical wall of concrete, although they can and will lift
concrete slabs. And if you have leaks in the pool enough to attract the
roots of the willow, you have more serious problems than the trees will
present.

OTOH, they are aggressive, surface rooted and messy trees and subject to a
whole host of wind and insect and disease damage. Not a tree recommended for
a smaller sized garden (ie., your typical suburban lot) and not one to be
located in very close proximity to a pool if for nothing more than
maintaining the pool will be an enormous and constant chore.

pam - gardengal