Cherry tree with rampant roots!

VanMan2007

I have a 15-yr-old cherry tree (don't know exact variety). It's about 12' to the crown, trunk diameter is about 10" at base. The main roots coming off the tree are 4-5" diameter, but they have now extended all across what was the lawn - now cultivating dandylions!

More worryingly one main root has headed towards my house/next door's house, pushing up concrete slabs, as it does. And all over the garden, vertical shoots are growing - well maybe a dozen overall. I think I'm probably going to have to take it down, just in case damage is caused to either property.

What is the best way to deal with the roots? If I cut them near the trunk will they die and rot down? Or do I need to dig them all out to prevent regrowth?

Also, I read that cherry trunks are popular with wood turners. Is there a few quid to be made and what would be the best way to get it sold - Ebay?

Thanks for any help, guys.

fwor

I had (have) the same problem, though in my case the tree had to come down anyway, as the trunk was disease damaged.

My original plan was to dig out the horizontal roots, but it proved impractical, as they drop regular downward roots from the horizontal ones. If left in they will rot away, but will probably take many years to do so.

May be worth sticking it on eBay as Local pick up only, and see if anyone nearby wants it. I just put mine on Freegle, and always get loads of interest. Obviously you get no money that way, but, by offering stuff, you gain goodwill that may be handy when asking for things being offered.

Leif

Any one with a wood fire might well jump on the opportunity to get some wood. I would, even if it was only to take the larger branches and leave the trunk to someone who could use it for turning, as you suggested. Don't forget that cutting a tree off at the base is known as coppicing, and many trees including cherry will sprout new growth. This used to be a way to get easily accessed thin branches for weaving baskets, and I assume also for wattle and daub buildings. I recently bought some root stump killer, and it turns out to be no more than glyphosate with a thickener (starch?), so you might want to drill some large holes in the base with a wood drill bit, and fill with glyphosate solution.

It does surprise me when people plant trees near houses, or shrubs such as Cotoneaster next to a path. I withdrew an offer on a house when I discovered an Oak tree with a Tree Protection Order on it in the small garden. The silly council people cared more about a pretty tree than the house.

blossomhill_2

I expect the tree looks quite nice by now but I would seriously consider taking it up and planting a young 'un - we are still dealing with the effects of tree roots from 20 years ago that headed for the housewall (and neighbours) - I think trees in small/average size domestic gardens are best treated as temporary structures of 10-15 year life then replacing

Davesnave

Can you get a small digger into the site? We took out a bird cherry a little larger than yours last autumn and it went in two stages, with the forestry guy felling it & cutting it up, and the digger guy removing the root a few months later.

The main root ball was about 4' across and not something easily disposed of; in fact I'm still burning it every time I have a bonfire! (smallholding, so a regular winter occurrence.)

The wood would have value to wood turners, but equally, for someone able to store it for two years, it could make reasonable firewood. That's what I shall use mine for. Either way, this will be a small offset to the cost of removal/disposal of the main root, which for most people, would be by mini skip.

Incidentally, I don't know how you propose to cut the roots, but chain saw and soil is a no-no.

Leif

Davesnave wrote: »

Incidentally, I don't know how you propose to cut the roots, but chain saw and soil is a no-no.

A bow saw will do the job. Not easy though.

VanMan2007

Thanks for your replies guys. To be honest, I never thought it would get this big. I couldn't get a digger in, too narrow an entry point between carport and house. But I do have a bow saw and good cardio!

My neighbour is a keen gardenener and helped me prune it right back a few months ago. I'm sure he'll be happy to give me help and advice. I just wanted to sound a few guys out on here first.

Great stuff!
:cool:

Becles

Definitely take it out.

My neighbour has a cherry tree that he's never pruned or done anything with and it's planted right against our fence. It's now about two metres taller that our two story houses, and has about a 5m spread on it. He's also got other shrubs along the fence that are never pruned are are about 3m high now.

We used to use the garden a lot as I love being outside, but we never get any sun at all in the back garden now due to the stupid tree and shrubs, and it blocks the light coming into the back bedroom and dining room. He said I can hack off the overgrowing branches which I do as I paid for the fence and I don't want it damaged. It makes such a mess - I have to sweep up blossom that blows everywhere, then clean up cherries that fall off in the summer (as otherwise my dogs eat them and are sick!), then shovel up the leaves in the autumn.

It's just so annoying that someone who never uses their own garden has totally ruined mine by growing a tree that I don't think they even care about. All the trees and shrubs are deciduous so there is nothing I can do about it.

VanMan2007

Just resurrecting this thread as I'll be cutting the tree down soon.

Are we all agreed that drilling holes into the stump and applying Round-Up Tree Stump and Root Killer is the way to go?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roundup-Killer-Liquid-Concentrate-Weedkiller/dp/B001DYQ286/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359815959&sr=8-1

Thanks again for your advice.

Mollymoonlight

VanMan2007 wrote: »

Just resurrecting this thread as I'll be cutting the tree down soon.

Are we all agreed that drilling holes into the stump and applying Round-Up Tree Stump and Root Killer is the way to go?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roundup-Killer-Liquid-Concentrate-Weedkiller/dp/B001DYQ286/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359815959&sr=8-1

Thanks again for your advice.

Wouldn't copper nails do the trick? It would be much nicer than having to put chemicals down. Good luck!

Leif

Roundup is glyphosate, it's cheaper to buy the generic name.