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Trees and overhead cables

lindaiow.joneslindaiow.jones Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I have a large Yucca Aloifolia and several smaller ones in my front garden. The large one has quite a thick trunk and is pretty sturdy but does sway in the wind a little - the smaller ones have much thinner trunks and blow about in the wind quite a lot. 
The large one is probably large enough to become entangled in my neighbour's telephone wire if the wind is ever strong enough to push it over. 
It doesn't seem likely the top part of the Yucca(s) would snap off - but I am concerned that they may be blown over by the increasingly strong winds we're experiencing in recent years with the chance they would damage the nearby cables. 
Can anyone advise on the root system and strength of the Yucca Aloifolia? 

Posts

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Most yuccas have a deep and extensive root system, both spreading fibrous roots near the surface and a deep tap root anchoring them, a response to their natural desert habitat where they need to both dig deep for water and nutrients and take advantage of any surface rainfall. I know established plants are extremely difficult to remove! Problems may occur if you have a heavy, soggy soil, where the roots are more likely to rot, which could cause them to break or uproot, or if you have thin soil on rock where the growth of the anchoring tap root may be impeded. Generally speaking you shouldn’t have anything to worry about and they should just bend with the wind, but it does depend on climate and planting conditions.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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