Trees and tree roots - Tarmac around trees.

[Colin James]

I have two large "Monkey Puzzle" type trees and the original driveway was tarmac'd right up to them.

I am having "maintenance" carried out which will involve a lot of resurfacing. Is there any soecial precautions I should take around these trees?

[nick65]

Colin, the resurfacing guys should know of all the nessessary precautions to take to prevent any damage or marking of the trees. Like wrapping some hesian sheeting around the trunk to keep it clean.

If the tarmac is right up to the base of the trunk, then i imagine theres been a bit of lifting due to growth of the trunk and\or roots. So it may be of future benifit to leave a border around the trees, to prevent the new surface being cracked or lifted at a later date.

Theres a site called Landscape Juice that has all the information you will need on all things leafy. It has a great forum too, so if you need to know the A-Z of Monkey Puzzle Trees give them a visit. Regards Nick.

[diggerdan]

Hi colin get yourself a copy of British standard 5837 trees in relation to construction. A good surfacing contractor should be familiar with its guidance. I would advise no surfacing directly under the canopy of the tree plus (?) meters to allow for future growth. Generally a trees gets most of its moisture from rootrs growing in the 'drip zone' an area of ground at the outer most reach of the canopy. Please also remember that a tree will have just as much wood below ground as it has above. Don't let an ignorant contractor disturb any of its fragile root system no matter how insignificant it appears. I enjoy a good bit of paving as much as anyone hear but a beautiful tree will enhance your property ten fold over a new driveway. All the best

[Colin James]

Thank you for your replies.

Nick65, strangely enough there seems to be very little lifting around the base of the trees. I was expecting to see signs of it but it is not obvious, although the surface is in such poor condition it might be hiding it. I don't have the opinion of putting a border around the base. My joint owner is being difficult and my lawyer tells me to stick strictly to existing lines and arrangements. An old man called in several years ago. He had lived in the house as a boy in the '30s and told me these trees were big even then. I think they have gown about another ten feet since I moved in 25 years ago.

Diggerman. I read the BS. It is possibly overweight for what I am doing but it is useful. For this job I think just taking care around the roots is the answer. I am generally in agreement about the value of trees but not in this case. They are not attractive trees and are getting too big for the location but I am effectively stuck with them.

Regards,
Colin.

[bodgeitandscarper]

I think you should move!!

Bodgeit

[nick65]

Hello again Colin. Uncooperative partners are always a pain, even if your proposal is of benifit to you both.

The contractors doing the work will be able to assess the roots once the old surface has been removed and advice you on whats best.

But if your lawyer is saying like for like, then its best to adhere to his advice to avoid any future problems with the neighbors or L.As

Heres a bit of useless information for you.
The much sort after black semi precious stone called Jett, that was hugely popular with the victorians, is the fossilised remains of a certain part of the Monkey Puzzle tree.
so you have a nice family heir loom there if humans are still around in a few million years. LOL.
Regards Nick.

[bodgeitandscarper]

The araucaria araucana is a beautiful specimen, although extremely slow growing and hard as hell to grow from seed. Good specimens are very expensive.

Just abit of nonsense

Bodge it

[Tony McC]

The mother had one growing in her garden. We picked it up as a 100mm tall seedling at a garden centre in Wicklow about 20 years ago and nursed it all the way across the Irish Sea to its new home in Lancashire.

It had reached around 2 metres last summer when the bastard honey fungus got into it, and there was nothing to save it, so it was felled and ceremoniously burned at the bottom of the garden to prevent any of the spores getting into other plants.

And Araucaria, aka John Graham, is the currently best setter of cryptic crosswords anywhere in the world. He also creates puzzle under the pseudonym 'Cinephile', an anagram of Chile Pine.

[Colin James]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The last lawyer letter went out on Monday, the work starts next Wednesday, the kitchen ceiling fell down before Christmas, tension is building!!!!!!

You replies help to keep a sense of proportion.

bodgeitandscarper We had the opinion to move a few years ago but my wife decided it was too good a house to give up. It is a very attractive house. If I could work out how to post a photo' I would show you.
Also, the driveway is now so poor, the lawyer says it needs to be fixed before I could consider letting it out. And my neighbour's attitude would probaly need to be disclosed if I sell.
Also. I don't want to move!

Regards,
Colin.

[Dave_L]

If I could work out how to post a photo' I would show you.

Here.....How to post photos on the Brew Cabin

[bodgeitandscarper]

Ahh the incredible Honey Fungus, you could make a horror movie about how this attacks its host and finds a new one. Amazing

Just another amazing comment by

Bodgeit

[Colin James]

Re, How to post a 'photo.

I don't have a awebsite, although I could possibly borrow one.
But truth is, my mind is ficussed on getting this job done properly and dealing with the solicitors.
Maybe when things settle down.

Regards,
Colin.

[nick65]

Best of luck to ya Colin. Hope it all comes good.