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Re: Tree roots

scpd & ced wrote:
>
> Hi Jim:
>
> You have my sympathies! I've had problems with invading tree roots
> (not willow) in the past and know how frustrating it can be.
>      Sue Drake

Hi Sue and thank you for your sympathies & suggestions. I will not be
able to get rid of the tree(s), unfortunately, as they are not on my
property, they are on the "Queen's Chain" that strip of the river bank
that belongs to all New Zealanders and held in trust by the Government.
Our property fronts the Clutha River and between us and the river are
two strips of land, first a "paper" road and then the Queen's Chain.
When we built here that area was a wilderness and we tidied it up,
encouraged the volunteer grasses to grow and planted ornamental shrubs
etc. So we do not own the land, but while we are prepared to keep it
tidy and aesthetically pleasing, nobody is going to object to us using
it, in fact we are encouraged to do so. On a nice flat part, that gets a
good amount of sunshine and will be protected from the worst of the
frosts by the close proximity of a large, moving mass of water, I
established the raised bed & was planning to develop a garden using
sqrft methods.

> you can try using a sharp spade to sever the roots before
> they enter the garden beds --
I have just recently been right round the bed with a spade, doing just
what you have suggested, and as I went I could certainly feel roots
being severed. Time will tell just how successful this has been. I am
reconciled to having to do this a number of times doing the growing
season if the method of using a physical barrier fails.

> Note that this barrier will eventually compost.  By using a thick piece of
> plywood, you should get years out of the barrier.
>
> Good luck and keep us posted.
> Dave Ronge

Thanks Dave. I hadn't thought of using plywood, that's a very good
suggestion. What I was contemplating was trenching as you recommended
and creating a barrier with thick layers of polythene, backfilled. What
do you think ? Obviously the corners will have to be carefully planned
and executed as they will be potentially weak points. BTW the bed is
9'x9', outside measurement.
I will keep you posted on my results.
BTW we are having a lovely spell of Autumn(Fall) weather "Indian
Summer", I wish all you kind people could be here to enjoy it with me.
Cheers to all.
--
Jim Greene,
Paisley Place, Roxburgh 9156, New Zealand. Phone/Fax (03) 4468484

"My Grandmother taught me to be cautious !"

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