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I'm getting a couple of trees planted along my fence for privacy. Unfortunately, I've just realised that the soil pipe from the house runs directly under where they're going to go.
It's at a depth of 1m (well, it enters the stack at a shallow angle at 1m depth) and the trees will be planted down to 60cm.
They're being professionally planted by an experienced team. Is this likely to be OK? I can't imagine the roots being capable of inflicting damage on plastic pipe, and the installers' insurance should cover any accidents involving their mini-digger / pipe / turds etc.
* Also, baby trees are HOW MUCH now? £1500 all in. Gulp.
Doesn't it matter what type of tree we are talking about? I know I used to have a type of elm in my front garden in Canada that grew into the soil pipe and cause no end of headaches. Ultimately, it meant having the tree removed.
I can't imagine the roots being capable of inflicting damage on plastic pipe
I think you have too much confidence in plastic pipe. Sounds like you're due to have a leaky poo pipes in a couple of years time.
Have seen tree roots fill soil pipes and extend up the pipe all the way into the house.
Total carnage 😕
Also, baby trees are HOW MUCH now? £1500 all in.
??????
What the BF are you planting and having done for that? Last year we got an apple tree, red ash (I think) and something else that I have no idea of coming to a total of just under £120 (bought from a local nursery). I planted them myself and they are all flourishing (and just had a reasonable crop of apples too).
Instant trees cost a lot because a lot of work has gone into looking after them. It's always better to plant small and really look after them though. Unless your pipes are damaged or have a leaky joint, tree roots won't grow into them (they don't know there's any water in there), and even then only a couple of species will tolerate foul water, poplars and willows mostly.
I can't imagine the roots being capable of inflicting damage on plastic pipe
Imagine again. Don't do it.
Check with your local water company that deals with sewerage. Your soil stack will discharge into the sewer somewhere, so it's likely to close to your planting.
As someone who gets involved in housing/drain related claims from time to time, don't do it. Just don't. Roots can exert an unbelievable amount of pressure on their surrounds and can easily break a joint or fracture pipes, giving them a way in to displace them even more. This happens very slowly and by the time you realise, it's likely the while run of drain and all of the (now firmly rooted into the ground) trees will need removing. Going down the line of root barriers would be a bit much of a faff, I'd suggest looking to change the fence type, or if you're determined to have foliage, look at moveable raised planters.
Honeybadgerx +1000, speaking from both personal and professional experience
Trees are Photinia Red Robin. They do look fantastic, though having second thoughts about the price now.
Not concerned about sewer - it's at the other end of the garden - but desperately need the privacy. Can't see how that could work with planters without the risk of them blowing over in strong winds.
Timescale may have an impact too; simply because I will not be living in the same house in 5 years. 🙂
If you're confident that a plastic pipe can withstand years of exerted pressure from an incresingly heavy object then go ahead and the only evidence you'll have of naything wrong will be most likely too late then go right ahead.
Not concerned about sewer - it's at the other end of the garden
In that case, could you move your pipe from the soil stack? More expense and faff, but future worry free?
Timescale may have an impact too; simply because I will not be living in the same house in 5 years.
How kind of you to knowingly leave a massively expensive repair bill for the next owners.
Use planters, you can anchor the planter into the ground with soil screws, or even concrete them in, if you're worried about them toppling. If you want instant cover, you could buy artificial trees and hedging in plenty of different heights.
Will a hedge grow roots as aggressively as a tree?
Timescale may have an impact too; simply because I will not be living in the same house in 5 years.
*Adds flaperon to list of sellers to avoid in the classifieds.
If you need quick cover what about bamboo in planters, grows like ****
Depending on your whereabouts may I suggest here for Photinia -
http://www.mountpleasanttrees.com/product_info.php?products_id=136
It's run by Tom Locke, ex features editor of another mtb mag. I buy all our hedging (ie hundreds of metres worth) and specimen trees from him. G
there are other ways to get the privacy as others suggest, hedges / perhaps high fence or trellis on top with climbers, lots of options.
If you've nothing to hide you have nothing to fear
what about if you like sunbathing in the nuddy?
[quote=dooosuk opined]Timescale may have an impact too; simply because I will not be living in the same house in 5 years.
How kind of you to knowingly leave a massively expensive repair bill for the next owners.
THIS
Some people
Shakes head adds to the list
Have seen tree roots fill soil pipes and extend up the pipe all the way into the house.
great horror movie plot!!
Attack of the Mutant Roots
scene 1 - the victim has just sat down on the toilet, looking forward to a good read of the screwfix catalogue. In the background is the faint scraping noise....as if a wet branch is being dragged along a tube....
Just burn the money now, you'll then be in the same position you'll end up in anyway but with less of the stress.
Timescale may have an impact too; simply because I will not be living in the same house in 5 years.
Also hoping that this was either a bad joke or just a case of brain not engaging.
Maybe he's going to take the trees with him?
I read that (maybe naively) as he was putting bigger trees (and thus paying more for than saplings) because he needed the privacy now, rather than in a few years time, considering that he would be moving in five years.
But I may be wrong, I've broken out the pitch fork just in case 😡
Surely just dig up soil.... And put a couple of 45° bends in and lead away from where you want the trees and then back to the drains... Its not that hard and a few fittings and few lengths of pipe.
THIS
Some people
Shakes head adds to the list
I think tongue-in-cheek tends to go straight over the heads of some more literal people. Having spent the last two years painstakingly and expensively repairing the DIY disasters of the previous owner I'm unlikely to inflict my own on someone else.
Spent the afternoon digging up the garden to trace exactly where the pipe goes, and unfortunately it's closer to the surface than I thought and pretty much un-moveable due to the layout of other structures. Which is annoying.
Someone mentioned artificial alternatives, my Google-fu is not strong this evening. Can you post a link?
I planted 2000 trees this year for £500. Some are over 10' tall already.
I think tongue-in-cheek tends to go straight over the heads of some more literal people.
Do not underestimate the will of those that feel the need to publicly demonstrate their awesomeness at any tiny opportunity.
You might be a monster, or a decent guy. Such facts don't matter to the usual derisory suspects 😀
With your decent budget I'd suggest building a raised bed and using pleached trees now you've found the service isn't that deep. Essentially this involves growing trees with a framework support. Beach, hornbeam or maybe a strong shrub would work. Set up an automatic watering system and plant reasonably sized plants and you'll have a decent screen in no time.
Oh in that case then I was being tongue in cheek as well
Bit harsh bear bit harsh
OH hold on you will play the edinburgh now as well wont you
Wanders off wondering why other folk said it first but I get the blame
Will you lot stop being so precious. The man just wants a screen FFS.
I planted 2000 trees this year for £500. Some are over 10' tall already.
Go on then - what were they and where did you get them? 😀
Has to be said that I feel there's a bit of backtracking here by the OP with regards tongue in cheek statement of intent.
The fact that someone would even consider planting fast growing trees directly over a known soil drain, no matter what depth it is or not, speaks volumes.
If immediate privacy is required, either stick a tall fence up, or as previously suggested, bamboo in planters.
Is this to hide the new power station?
Bamboo in large containers will certainly give you a good privacy screen, there are enough varieties to choose from & some look really nice.
The fact that someone would even consider planting fast growing trees directly over a known soil drain, no matter what depth it is or not, speaks volumes.
Part of the problem is that they're not fast growing.
Photinia is predominantly known as a shrub and has a fairly fibrous root system, but I was hoping that someone would have had personal experience with this sort of situation - as they clearly have given by the advice to "DON'T DO IT" * 1000. 😉
The planting manager at the hedge company reckons that because they're grown in an airpot they won't spread, but obviously they do have a vested interest in selling the trees to me.
dave - thanks for the tip, will look into bamboo in pots.
I used bamboo to hide a neighbour's nuclear containm... Er, shed. Grows quick but not so quick that it ever really gets out of hand, and even buying mature plants you'll be saving several hundred quid.