Roots running through foundations

[Adam Ashworth]

Hi I am digging my foundations for my raised garden wall / raised bed. I have come across a few roots form a tree that is about 6ft away. One of the roots is about 4 inch wide. Is it ok to cut it either side and just fill the foundation or do you think I will get problems later on? Was thinking of putting some iron rods in the strengthen the concrete there?

[Pablo]

If the root is 4inches then I'm assuming the tree is quite large and because you're only 6ft from it then it's likely the wall won't survive for too long unless you go way overboard on it's construction. Would you consider using timber instead it'll last longer.

[Adam Ashworth]

Thanks for your reply . How do you mean use timber? As in sleepers?

[Pablo]

Sleepers or any other kind of large timber built in keeping with the house.

[Mikey_C]

more of a question, than an answer, but can't you a non woven geotextile (relatively cheap and easy to install) as a root barrier round a concrete footing?

[lutonlagerlout]

the problem is when the roots go under the footing mikey
when we come across this problem the best way is normally to cut the tree down and plant a new one
I have wrapped roots in 100mm of polystyrene to try and alleviate root growth but dunno how long this works for
just my own little test
LLL

[Pablo]

a 4 inch root so close to the tree is the sort of thing that shouldn't be cut unless you want it to fall over.