Are Your Sidewalks Safe? From evergreens to trees with showy flowers or bright fall color, you have lots of options when choosing fast-growing shade trees. Trees are usually prized elements in a landscape, but a sprawling root system may sometimes pose a threat to sidewalks… Tree root sidewalk damage makes a mess of concrete and creates major trip hazards. Residents in many western communities are concerned about the upkeep and dangers of uprooted sidewalks caused from oak trees that line streets. Note: Property owners remain liable for sidewalk damage caused by street trees if the damage existed prior to July 1, 2017. But when encroaching tree roots start to make your sidewalk buckle or sink, ripping it out and re-pouring it isn’t your only option. Root pruning is highly stressful to trees and cannot be done indiscriminately. Trees with superficial roots that grow along the surface pose an additional risk to sidewalks and driveways. Trees That Can Be Planted Over Water Pipes. The optimal tree to plant on the edge of a property line to prevent trees from damaging the sidewalk is slow-growing trees. Even a tree with a non-aggressive root system can cause damage if it is too close to a concrete structure. Poplar (Zones 3-8): A tall tree with aggressive roots known for causing sewer and foundational damage; American elm (Zones 3-9): A full tree that has shallow roots that can disrupt your lawn, sidewalk or driveway; Silver maple (Zones 3-9): A tree with gorgeous, shimmery leaves that also has roots that often end up growing above the ground Homes, sidewalks and driveways are also in danger of becoming puckered or … Placement. The space is likely owned by the city and it is their (that is: the taxpayers') sidewalks, curbs, and infra that will heave & form a trip hazard; therefore the tree species is up to them. Some trees—such as Bradford … Sometimes that causes trees to prod underground structures, like water tanks and sewer lines. Where you plant your trees is an important consideration because tree roots can damage concrete walkways, walls, septic tanks and swimming pools. Small trees should be a minimum of 10 feet from structures while large trees must be at least 30 feet from them. It is important to have appropriate trees for the treelawn width - inadequate or no - to avoid unnecessary damage and expense. SFGate.com cites that in a 2011 survey by the University of Michigan Extension, tree root damage to sidewalks costs an average of $3 per tree per year to repair, and sewer damage costs $1.66 per tree more. Trees with Roots that Don’t Spread (By Zone) Tree roots want all the water they can get! Concrete lifting, otherwise known as slabjacking, may offer a more cost-effective and convenient solution. The success of root pruning depends on the species, size, and age of the tree, the location of the cuts, environmental conditions, and the overall health of the tree. 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