I have a ficus and some other tree I can't identify with several thin trunks,
which were planted too close to the house by the previous owner.

The roots - and I can't tell from which tree really flourished this year, and
appear to have grown under the 3 ft wide concrete walkway forcing it upward,
and which has now cracked. Presumably the roots have continued on and are
growing under the foundations. I am concerned that there will be a problem with
the house foundations, as we are pretty much on concrete like soils, so the
roots can't go down. I also have a pepper tree whose roots appear to have grown
30 odd feet and are approaching the house.

I am wondering if I can just some how cut the roots so they don't continue to
grow under the house or am I going to have to cut the trees down?
Helen

It is unlikely that the roots of the tree are under the foundation, tho' it
is possible. I would have a consulting arborist come out and inspect. It may
be possible to cut some of the roots without doing appreciable damage to the
tree, but it is a very tricky and sometimes unpredictable operation. As for
your walk you will need to fix or re-pave it - I would get the arborists
advice on how to do this as well.

The question you need to answer is how highly do you value your trees? EMail
me off list and I'll refer you to someone.
--
Mike LaMana, MS
Heartwood Consulting Services, LLC
Toms River, NJ
www.HeartwoodConsulting.net



"HPBudlong" wrote in message
...
I have a ficus and some other tree I can't identify with several thin
trunks,
which were planted too close to the house by the previous owner.

The roots - and I can't tell from which tree really flourished this year,
and
appear to have grown under the 3 ft wide concrete walkway forcing it
upward,
and which has now cracked. Presumably the roots have continued on and are
growing under the foundations. I am concerned that there will be a problem
with
the house foundations, as we are pretty much on concrete like soils, so
the
roots can't go down. I also have a pepper tree whose roots appear to have
grown
30 odd feet and are approaching the house.

I am wondering if I can just some how cut the roots so they don't continue
to
grow under the house or am I going to have to cut the trees down?
Helen

"HPBudlong" wrote in message
...
snips
I have a ficus and some other tree I can't identify with several thin
trunks,
The roots have grown under the 3 ft wide concrete walkway
which has now cracked. Presumably the roots have continued on and are
growing under the foundations.
also have a pepper tree whose roots appear to have grown
30 odd feet and are approaching the house.
I am wondering if I can just some how cut the roots so
or am I going to have to cut the trees down?
Helen

Hi,
The other tree with several thin trunks could be another species of ficus,
there are many and others are also problems around concrete. Cutting the
roots can lead to other problems and would have to be done regularly.
Depending on how close to the trunk the roots would have to be cut could
lead to the tree becoming unstable in winds. Consider removeing these trees
or keep them cut to about eight feet tall as a large shrub, they will be a
pain keeping them at this height also but probably would not be much trouble
to your foundation.
The 'pepper' tree, assuming Schinus terebinthifolius is a prime canidate for
the saw. http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/schinus.html
HTH, -_- how
to reply- no NEWS is good

I do not know much about but I know ficus can be quiet destructive because
roots doesnt grow deep, rather run on the surface getting really huge. The
best location for this kind of trees is away to any construction.

--
Paulo
"how" wrote in message
...
"HPBudlong" wrote in message
...
snips
I have a ficus and some other tree I can't identify with several thin
trunks,
The roots have grown under the 3 ft wide concrete walkway
which has now cracked. Presumably the roots have continued on and are
growing under the foundations.
also have a pepper tree whose roots appear to have grown
30 odd feet and are approaching the house.
I am wondering if I can just some how cut the roots so
or am I going to have to cut the trees down?
Helen

Hi,
The other tree with several thin trunks could be another species of ficus,
there are many and others are also problems around concrete. Cutting the
roots can lead to other problems and would have to be done regularly.
Depending on how close to the trunk the roots would have to be cut could
lead to the tree becoming unstable in winds. Consider removeing these
trees
or keep them cut to about eight feet tall as a large shrub, they will be a
pain keeping them at this height also but probably would not be much
trouble
to your foundation.
The 'pepper' tree, assuming Schinus terebinthifolius is a prime canidate
for
the saw. http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/schinus.html
HTH, -_- how
to reply- no NEWS is good