Cutting and/or killing tree roots

[Mattemma]

I have some neighbor tree roots going across my driveway garden,and going under my driveway. The tree is a huge oak or maple.I really need to learn tree ID.Anyway, I have this root I want to cut.It is huge.Can I use a circular saw;is that safe? I don't own an ax. I want to cut it at the fence line and where it disappears under the driveway.

My driveway is terribly buckled and cracked.I bet the roots are already under my garage.

I want to put something on the roots to stop regrowth,but I have to avoid killing the tree. I am pretty sure if I harm the tree I am liable even though the neighbor is not liable for the tree damage to my driveway/garage. Is there anythig I can wipe on the roots to stop them from regrowing under the driveway?

And since I plant in the dirt strip between the fence/driveway I don't want to use something that will poison what I plant. Maybe I am stuck severing roots every year?

I will take a pic of the roots today.

 

[vfem]

Hmmm... I am going to have to think on this. Depending on the tree type, so trees can take this and some not so much. I'm not sure about your situation.

There is also a tree stump rot powder you may be able to dust on the 'ROOT' part when you cut it to get to rot fast to get it out of there. I do not think you can use it on the part that goes back to the tree, I'm pretty sure its dangerous to the tree.

 

[patandchickens]

Oohhhh, I'd be awfully careful about that. Severing a "huge" root is going to seriously weaken the tree, quite possibly kill it, at the very least make it die back significantly and also create the future danger of bits of it falling on peoples' houses/cars/whatnot.

I am not sure what your best solution would be, but if you are seriously considering cutting this root (I would use a handsaw or axe, btw, as that is not a very safe situation in which to use a circular saw) you really need to be aware of the likely consequences and have thought through how they're likely to play out.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Rosalind]

What pat said. Likely a lot of branches will croak. You might want to consult an arborist, and it's definitely worthwhile to invest in an axe.

As far as liabilities go, in the state of PA you are entitled to cut any part of the tree that is on your property line. My brother the arborist says, however, that this may well cause the whole entire tree to die, but per the state of PA the dead half on your neighbor's side would be not your problem, because you took care of your side. Check your local laws though, they may vary.

 

[Mattemma]

Sorry it took me so long to get a pic. Here is it:

I have not touched it yet.I have to much else to plant.

From the pic it does not look all that big,but was to big for my big shrub pruners(broke it trying). I will just hold off and maybe chop at it with a hand ax. I just don't want it to grow more and faster.The neighbor is elderly so perhaps in between owners I can take care of the tree and cut it back more.I will consult with an aborists to get an idea on stopping the roots.It is a huge tree.Unfortunately I don't have a pic of the entire tree.

I am REALLY going to think before I plant my own trees and bushes.

 

[Mattemma]

I found a picture of the tree.Not the best,but here it is to the right.

 

[ducks4you]

I've had to clean up so many roots from that blasted 'Tree of Paradise'

I say chop 'em!! I would suggest using an ax blade placed on the root and smacking it with a sledge hammer to break it. Either that or a power saw like this one.
http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/s7ond...ight=565&config=ACEzoom&cs=false&sku=p2361733
Mine is an off-brand, but I really like it for control. Good luck with that--man they're a pain-in-the-aXX!!
**funny, pain in the ax!!**

 

[patandchickens]

Oh, that's not SO bad then. The root looks like it'd be out almost to the dripline of the tree where you'd be cutting it, and it is not THAT big. It will do the tree no good and the tree may have some unhappy or even dead branches but it's unlikely IMO to KILL the tree.

I would not suggest hitting an axe with a sledge, that's a good way to ruin the axe.

A pruning saw or bow saw would do it, or a regular cheap ripping saw (handsaw) with something like 9-12 teeth per inch (like you might have for cutting wood for framing a chickencoop or whatever)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[ducks4you]

Pat's probably right, but I have some old axes that I don't mind using for such a thing.
BTW, I just started using an electic saw and last weekend I took down about 25 saplings--like the picture above--that had grown up about 12 foot (in TWO YEARS!!!!), and I took down all 7 overgrown evergreens on the south side of my garage. I planted corn, beans, and squash in my NEW 60 sq. ft. south-facing garden bed!!!

 

[journey11]

Looks like it's far enough out from the tree not to do any real harm. I would use a handsaw, instead of a circular saw. You could use a chain saw, but anytime you are cutting into the dirt, you can be sure you'll dull the blade.

It's a nice shade tree your neighbor has. I can see your concern. Nobody wants to start world war III! It's far enough away though, you should be A-ok.