Silver Birch Roots Under My Garden

fremar

My neighbour has a large Silver Birch that is creating problems due to its roots stretching under my garden. We recently tried to turn over the area nearest to the tree to create a veg patch but we have found it nigh on impossible to dig a spades depth down due to the root network. My garden isn't large enough to have the veg patch elsewhere so any ideas on a possible soluton would be appreciated.

icecreamdogpark

The only thing a can think of is to bulid raised beds over the top of the bed your having trouble digging over ?

1jim

would your spade go through the roots?

soul619

id try an hack through them with the spade if you can

fremar

I took the advice from above and hacked through the main culprit with a sharp spade, result, a mainly clear patch and a 10 foot triffid lying on my path. The area now looks good and is approx 12ft by 6ft but can be increased 2 fold.
Thanks to all for the good advice, I wouldn't have dared cut through the roots otherwise.

amcluesent

If you're cutting through the roots, that suggest you'll be planting beneath the tree canopy. IMHO, that will mean limited success with vegetables as they don't do well in shade.

laurel7172

amcluesent wrote: »

If you're cutting through the roots, that suggest you'll be planting beneath the tree canopy. IMHO, that will mean limited success with vegetables as they don't do well in shade.

But you are of course entitled to cut back any branches that overhang your property.

In theory, you should offer the trimmings to your neighbour, but that might be a bit weird with a silver birch.

angelavdavis

Hi,

I also have a birch tree in my garden and have exactly the same issue. I am afraid that even after pulling out the weeds, putting down a heavy duty weed suppressant fabric and building raised beds, you will still get the rigorous roots growing through after a year or so. I have had trouble for years - they simply strip all the nutrients and moisture out of the soil.

I ended up taking out an allotment to grow veg on as a result.