Knowledgebase
Bristlecone pine root spread #862421
Asked March 24, 2024, 10:46 PM EDT
I have a 40+ year-old bristlecone pine and want to redo landscaping around it. Grass grows almost to the edges of the lower branches, and my landscape designer wants to remove the sod to a depth of 4" and replace it with new dirt and sod. Will this be a problem for the tree? How far away from the trunk do the shallow roots grow? Can these roots be disturbed without killing the tree? Sorry I don't have a better picture, but maybe the one attached will give you an idea.
I love this tree and don't want to do anything to harm it. Thanks for your help.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Good afternoon!
That looks like an amazing tree.
How far out from the base of the tree do they want to remove the sod and refresh the soil? Do they want to do it to the bare areas in that photo?
I would suggest not disturbing any of the soil around the base of the tree and about two feet outside of the dripline on the tree. I have attached a photo of a drawing of a tree's root system. They are much larger than you would think! Since there is a sidewalk on the other side of the tree I would be even more cautious about the root system of the tree.
Thanks for reaching out and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks, that helps a lot. The sod currently goes almost up to the dripline. The landscaper wants to remove 4” deep of the old sod and dirt, add new dirt and then place the new sod on top. From your drawing, it looks like tree roots grow fairly near the surface. If he went out 2-3 times the dripline, I’d have to rethink the whole landscaping design.
Plus, the tree actually has a sidewalk on two sides, so I’m thinking that removing soil from the other two grassy sides probably isn’t a good idea. Maybe it would be better to just put down grass seed again and pray.
What do you think?
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 2:50 PM
To: carossini <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Bristlecone pine root spread (#0132344)
If it helps, here are two pictures from today. Two branches broke in the early March blizzard and will be removed tomorrow. So the poor tree has to recover from that also!
Carol
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 2:50 PM
To: carossini <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Bristlecone pine root spread (#0132344)
Oh no! It really is a beautiful tree and I would suggest being more cautious than not :)
Good luck!
Rachel
Thanks for your help, Rachel! Since the tree lost two branches in the blizzard, I think I had better just reseed the lawn and not upset the tree any more than is necessary this year. I’ll reconsider next year after I see how the tree is doing.
Carol
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2024 7:29 AM
To: carossini <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Bristlecone pine root spread (#0132344)
