On Jun 1, 7:24 pm, "Martin Harran" wrote:
"'Mike'" wrote in message

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"Martin Harran" wrote in message
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I'm having a major problem with tree roots cracking my tarmac drive.

I'm not sure exactly where the roots are coming from, I have a beech
hedge alongside the driveway, about 8 yeras old and only 4 ft high.
Immediately behind that is a Leylandii hedge that my neighbour planted
about 10 years ago which he keeps trimmed about 8 ft high - I'm much more
suspicious of the leylandii.

I don't want really want to cut down my own beech hedge - I planted it in
front of the leylandii because I detest leylandii hedging - and I don't
want to ask my neighbour to kill off his hedge when I'm not certain that
is casuing the problem.

What I was thinking of doing was to drill some holes in the tarmac where
the cracks are and try to kill off the roots at that point, keeping my
fingers crossed that the hedge will survive with the roots going in the
opposite direction.

Is this likely to work and can anyone recommend a suitable chemical to
apply?

Do you live in an Avenue withtreeson the pavement outside your property
and could the roots come from these?
Is there room for you to dig an investigatory trench the width of a border
spade along the edge of the tarmac to see where the roots are coming from?
Are they coming from 'North', 'South' 'East' or 'West' so to speak or just
one direction? "CAN" they be coming from anywhere or is the house/garage
in the way in certain directions?

Nope, layout is (hopethis works) :

^
N

--- neighbour's lawn --- | leylandii | beech | driveway | my house
--- neighbour's lawn--- | leylandii | beech | driveway | my house
--- neighbour's lawn--- | leylandii | beech | driveway | my house
--- neighbour's lawn--- | leylandii | beech | driveway | my house
--- neighbour's lawn--- | leylandii | beech | driveway | my house

Roots are spreading W to E i.e. from hedge towards house so definitely one
of the hedges is to blame.

Don't have much space to dig but I'll try it, see if I can get down to cut
the offending roots.

Any easy way to tell difference between Leylandii roots and Beech roots ?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Leylandii roots: softer, longer grained, resinous- can smell that they
are Coniferous.
Beech roots:short grained hard, won't smell of Conifer.