Trees that line sidewalks might be aesthetically pleasing, but they can also hurt the pavement. Cracked and irregular concrete is a common sight in urban environments where tree roots develop and break up sidewalks. Preventing trees from damaging sidewalks can save you money so that you do not have to pay to fix damage brought on by wayward tree roots.
Tree Growth Problems
Even though big to medium-sized trees provide great benefits such as shade and helping to improve air quality, they also develop extensive root systems that are tough to control. The features of several kinds of trees lead them to create more damage to sidewalks than others, according to the U.S. Forestry Service. Trees that are close to sidewalks start to cause damage when they are between 4 and 8 inches in diameter. Fast-growing trees cause the damage. Poor soil conditions also contribute to the development of large surface roots that spread and hurt sidewalks.
Soil Issues
Trees in loose, well-drained soil create less damage than those in heavily compacted soils. Asphalt sidewalks are more vulnerable to damage from spreading roots than concrete ones. The pavement of sidewalks also rapidly sheds water. This may cause two extremes. Either the water too fast, or it goes to the ground and remains for quite a while, making trees suffer with excessive water.
Sidewalk Construction and Repair Prices
Other problems that exacerbate damage to sidewalks from trees include weak concrete, soil shrinking and swelling, as well as the natural freeze-thaw cycle. Repairing sidewalks can cost large cities millions per year, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Property owners who have trees that hurt public sidewalks may be asked to pay the expenses of repair in certain municipalities.
Solutions
Regular crown pruning of trees near Sliding can help prevent root growth. You may also place chemical and physical barriers between the sidewalk and newly planted trees to divert roots. Physical barriers consist of thermoplastic panels and preformed planters. Thermoplastic panels are sheets of sturdy plastic. It is also possible to purchase landscape fabric treated with herbicide, and place it in vertical trenches between the pavement and tree. The herbicide from the fabric inhibits root development.
Tree Choice
Trees that do not grow large surface roots are ideal to line sidewalks. They comprise hedge maple (Acer campestre), amur maple (Acer ginnala), sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), crabapple (Malus baccata), many species of Arborvitae and a few varieties of Japanese crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei). Trees to avoid planting near sidewalks since they build large surface origins comprise Norway maple (Acer platanoides), red maple (Acer rubrum), beech (Fagus spp.) , sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and also weeping willow (Salix babylonica).