How can we kill tree roots??

gardenroute

Slightly pointless attack, hope it made you feel a bit better about yourself.
Does the definition below sound familiar?

Keyboard Warrior:

A Person who, being unable to express his anger through physical violence (owning to their physical weakness, lack of bravery and/or conviction in real life), instead manifests said emotions through the text-based medium of the internet, usually in the form of aggressive writing that the Keyboard Warrior would not (for reasons previously mentioned) be able to give form to in real life.
The Keyboard Warrior seeks to use the power imbued in his 'weapon' to effect death and destruction (in a strictly-metaphorical sense) upon his foes (other virtual identities he has encountered on the internet). In essence, the keyboard (ie. text input ability) allows the keyboard warrior to manifest his true warrior nature in a safe and removed environment, from which no real-life repercussions .
Keyboard Warriors are generally identified by unneccessary rage in their written communications, and are regarded as 'losers' by other virtual identities on the internet.

cootambear

the poster was simply expressing their amusement that a 3 yr old thread was still being discussed.

implying that someone is a `loser` seems fairly aggressive too.

angelavdavis

gardenroute wrote: »

If you have a veg patch next to a healthy tree the tree's roots will invade the bed very quickly.

I have this exact problem in my garden. I started off with raised beds with the toughest suppressant fabric I could find lining them, but the roots got through, I now routinely have to dig them out and cut them as deep as I can to give me a few months of growing time before they take over again. They take all the nutrients and water. If the birch wasn't providing privacy from neighbours I would chop it down.

I now have an allotment and plan (eventually) to simply grass over this area of garden so the mower can keep on top of the roots.

mbeast

I'm glad this thread got dragged back to the top as it reminds me i need to some how kill off some privet hedge roots that no matter how much i dig down and chop seem to still grow back the next year.

any up to date links or info on what would kill them would be gratefully received

gardenroute

I had a feeling you would chip in cootambear.

Angela, the roots of an established tree will grow faster than any veg, bedding, etc. It's always made worse by enriching the plot with compost and regular waterings. Landscaping fabric is much more heavy duty and you could line the bed like a pond and with large, folded overlaps. Try a building/proper landscaping yard, you won't get it in a garden centre or nursery. If you have raised beds you could/should also rebuild these out of a substantial material(s) and start this 1-2ft under the ground, lining the base with the fabric. A layer of hardcore underneath this would help as well - it depends how far you want to take it. Its sounds like work but so is travelling to an allotment.

lostinrates

I have a question, how long would leylandii roots take to simply rot once the tree above them is removed?

gardenroute

mbeast, its growing back from root fragments. You need to dig down and remove the wood, not chop it up. I would try to get any big bits out first and the wait for the regrowth in the spring. Then either dig around each shoot and take the whole root out or spray/paint the leaves with a glyphosate-based product.

Lostinrates, depends on the size of the tree, etc. The roots will rot, smallest first, in a ring towards the tree. Woody roots take longer to rot than above ground branches, years basically - but it depends on the size.

lostinrates

gardenroute wrote: »

Lostinrates, depends on the size of the tree, etc. The roots will rot, smallest first, in a ring towards the tree. Woody roots take longer to rot than above ground branches, years basically - but it depends on the size.

Lazily I'm trying to work out if I need to do anything about ours at all. we took down A LOT of leylandii last year...60. They were VERY tall and big. where they are is destined to be flower beds. we still have stumps.

choille

Make criss crosses on the stump with a saw & wait & wait & it'll rot. Leylandii really make the soil very sour & you'll need 'to do something ' with it to make it sweet for growing.

lostinrates

choille wrote: »

Make criss crosses on the stump with a saw & wait & wait & it'll rot. Leylandii really make the soil very sour & you'll need 'to do something ' with it to make it sweet for growing.

Thanks choille.....muck? That'ssomething we're not short of at all!