tree roots in drain tile?

[Anonymous Poster]

How close to drain tile can white pine trees be planted? It's the slotted type plastic drain tile, so I'm wondering if the tree roots will get in through the slots and plug it up. Most of the time there's not much water in the tile, except during the spring (a normal spring that is, we've had almost no rain this spring in southern Indiana).

 

[Blu21]

Danny,how deep is your drain tile? The reason I ask is that white pines usually have a shallow root system,maybe a tree over 15' could be a problem.Personally I keep my whites under 15' but I dont have drain tile to worry about,I just dont want to have too big of a tree to take care of. Tom

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I cannot answer your question but for future reference there is a product that is supposed to kill tree roots that encroach upon your sewer pipes. I do not know the name of the product or have the application notes but hopefully somebody could use this info to search the internet for the product.

 

[cowboydoc]

Yes I use it in mine kubotadriver. I get mine at the local farm&fleet store. I'll look when I get home today to see what brand it is.

 

[GlueGuy]

I would think that there is not a lot of "attraction" for the tree unless there is actually water in there. Also, pines (in general) are not known for having invasive root systems.

However, there are a bunch of different pines that are called "white pine", any idea which this is? How far between the tree and drain? All these are factors.

That said, there is a much bigger attraction to a sewer drain, since there is water in there nearly constantly.

The GlueGuy

 

[jinman]

There are several products that use copper sulfate to inhibit tree root growth. It works great and a single application every year is all that's required most of the time. I inherited an old mobile home park and was calling a rooter service weekly. I went to a Payless Cashway store and bought enough copper sulfate compound (it's blue crystals, but I can't remember the name) for every homeowner. After asking them to flush it down their commodes, the tree root problem just ceased to exist. Within a year, I closed the park and sold the land so I don't have a longterm history of tree damage etc, but it sure worked like magic for at least one year.

Just my $0.02 worth.



JimI

 

[Anonymous Poster]

GlueGuy, These trees are "Eastern White Pines" from Musser Forests. I was planting them every 6' apart along the edge of my property and when I dug a hole to plant one I encountered the drain tile. So, I skipped that spot. That means the last tree is 6' from the tile. I was planting them about 9' from the edge of the property so I'd have room to mow on the back side of them, but because of the drain tile I guess I'll have to plant the one at this spot closer to the property line, but was wondering how far I need to get back from the tile. The tile is only about a foot deep.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[GlueGuy]

Danny,

You may be OK leaving that space. I don't think your pines will invade that particular pipe. A good alternative approach would be to replace a short section of that pipe (near the nearest tree) with black ABS sewer pipe. This pipe is very good at deflecting roots in sewer systems. As long as the rest of the drain pipe was intact, a short (10' or so) section that is not collecting may not make a big difference.

The GlueGuy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Replacing that section with sewer pipe is a good idea! Thanks.

 

[Ingo]

<font color=blue>There are several products that use copper sulfate to inhibit tree root growth. It works great and a single application every year is all that's required most of the time.</font color=blue>

Copper sulfate is the stuff to use, though I read it's been banned in some states. I get it at Home Depot or Lowes for my drain field. I usually dump it in the tank at least twice a year, but my drain field was put in around some maples that are notorious for clogging drain pipe. So far I haven't had any problems (4 yrs).