What can I do about invasive tree roots?
By Candice Lenney
Question: What can I do about invasive tree roots?
Answer: A serious situation like this requires the expertise of a certified arborist. Why a certified arborist and not just a tree trimmer? A certified arborist is someone who is educated in all areas of arboriculture and has more scientific knowledge about trees than someone without the training. People hiring an arborist will have the assurance that their trees and landscaping will be handled correctly. The International Society of Arboriculture or ISA lists arborists by zip code and can be reached at http://isa-arbor.com
Unfortunately, the 20 year-old fig tree will probably have to be removed and it is always sad when a beautiful, mature tree has to come down. This situation could have been avoided by considering the tree’s attributes more carefully before planting, such as the tree’s ultimate size and its type of root structure. Planting the right tree in the right place is important and can help avoid future problems. Some resources to check out to help you decide what tree to plant for your property are the following:
www.treesaregood.com
www.ufei.org a database from Cal Poly SLO
www.mastergardenersd.org
Candice Lenney has been a UC Master Gardener since 2020. Get free gardening advice on the Master Gardener Hotline, (858) 822-6910, or by email at help@mastergardenersd.org. Due to COVID-19, the Master Gardener Hotline staff members are working remotely to ensure they respond to your questions in a timely manner.