On Fri, 1 Jun 2007 13:08:51 +0100, "Martin Harran"
wrote:

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?


I had a problem with tree roots having found their way into a drain
inspection chamber in my back garden. I periodically saw them off. I
did consult the local Council Arboricultural Officer as the options
are either a Silver Fir or Weeping Willow in my own garden or the
Council's mature Limes on the other side of the fence.
He did say that they could get a species identified via a root sample
(although not an individual tree) through the Rothampsted
establishment (http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/) I don't know if they
would help a private individual but I'm keeping the Council option
open in case the problem gets any worse. I'd be loath to start
killing anything before I knew exactly what was causing the problem.
You are allowed to prune roots entering the property (with care not to
render a tree unstable and dangerous) but I'm not sure about the
legality of actually killing trees which are not your own property.