Root Barriers Can Prevent Expensive Property Damage

Millions of dollars are spent annually on commercial and residential repairs to fix cracked pavement and damaged sprinkler lines damaged by shrubbery or tree roots. Damage occurs when too little space is allocated for root systems to grow and develop within their natural environment.  Installing root barriers might be the easiest way to offset the damages that can occur from future root growth, especially where new trees are planted on streets or in new parking lots. Wayward roots can also do a significant amount of damage to driveways and other hardscapes.Roots tend to travel away from a tree’s trunk in the search for water and nutrients. While access to water is necessary for a tree’s healthy growth, a tree’s roots can literally suck the moisture from the soil leaving it dry and flaky. This may have an affect on other plants, trees or shrubbery planted in the immediate area.Pavement and hardscapes all depend on the integrity of their base materials that lie just below the surface. It’s the disruption or movement of these materials that causes rutting, heaving and paving surface displacement, which can present a dangerous hazard to vehicles and pedestrians.Many home and property owners consider root barriers a non-necessity. The truth is they are quite affordable and much less expensive than having to repair a foundation’s damage. For repair or damage prevention, material used for root barriers may include concrete, plastic, or tough flexible material that resists cracking from potential soil movement or applied root pressure. It takes a skilled arborist to determine what works best in any scenario.An arborist can also suggest which roots of a shrub, plant or tree need to be trimmed. To most, the thought of pruning roots might sound like an alarming attempt to control root growth, but it can often resolve numerous root problems before they actualize. Pruning roots is not a common practice, because there is the potential for harm if not done properly. There are definite tools and techniques that must be used to keep trees safe. For this reason, many home and property owners often leave obstructive roots unattended, which can of course lead to property damage.Don’t hesitate to contact Wauson Tree Service for a free quote. We’ve been in business for over 50 years and we don’t sub-contract work out to other companies. We’d much rather pass the savings on to you. Feel free to ask about all the tree services we provide, such as stump removal, cabling, fertilization and more. Just call Walt at 214-450-8720, or email us today at walt {at} wausontreeservice {dot} com.