tree roots - Ask Extension
Can you offer advice for this problem? There are tree roots that have fully invaded some of my raised veggie beds. The beds are two feet deep, filled ...
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tree roots #890032
Asked November 19, 2024, 11:49 AM EST
Can you offer advice for this problem? There are tree roots that have fully invaded some of my raised veggie beds. The beds are two feet deep, filled with good soil and my compost, surrounded with cedar boards, watered by drip irrigation. I cannot move the beds or the trees.
1. Do I just dig out and remove the roots each year or two? Does this work? For how long?
2. Do I dig out the roots and lay down a barrier before refilling? If so, what is the right barrier and where do I get it?
I would like to tackle this problem before winter if possible. Thank you.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
I have actually had this problem from a fig tree root invasion. Tree roots can be quite invasive on raised beds and difficult to deal with. Digging and sifting out the roots is a short term solution. The roots are very strong growers and will tend to penetrate lightweight barriers. Creating a barrier under the beds is the best solution, this can vary from hardware cloth to sheet metal. Unfortunately, it involves emptying the soil first. Quite the job. It also solves the problem of burrowing animals as well.
Thank you. I would like to pursue this question with an OSU arborist. How may I do so?
Go to the OSU website. I do not see their expert on our expert list. You can try to reach Neil Bell, but I do not know if he takes general requests on tree problems. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/neil-bell
