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Root rise - silver birch

dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
in Problem solving
Hello, a small woodland was planted when my estate was a new build. They appear to have planted in very shallow soil which I assume is causing this root rise. If I add a few inches of soil on top, will that help? I guess this trees will be more susceptible to failure, falling over?

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't think so.
    I can't remember where, but I recently read that tree roots above ground should not be buried.
    If afraid I can't remember the reason why tho... 🙄

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Wow I didn't think it could be a bad thing. I suppose they could rot. Will research that. Thanks
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited November 2022
    You may already have found this article- 
    https://www.thespruce.com/will-soil-over-tree-roots-hurt-tree-2132816

    Interesting reasons.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    Silver Birch have shallow roots regardless of soil depth.  If they offend you, you could put something loose over them, like chipped bark.  Otherwise, just leave them alone. It is one of the disadvantages of growing Birch.
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    @Pete.8, thanks! I hadn't thought of the access to air aspect of it. 

    @Arthur1, they certainly don't offend me, but the whole tree offends my neighbour who is convinced it's going to fall on his house (even though it's 7m tall and 8m from his house!). I'm just trying to give the trees I'm responsible for the best chance to thrive. (Yes, there is a TPO on them). If no action is required, even better.

    Thanks!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I have four mature Silver Birch growing alongside my left-lawn ; all roots are very prominent and makes mowing the lawn great fun ;).
    My lawns are simply 'green-walkways' fro A to B etc ; never bother too much with them and class them as a means to get to more interesting parts of the garden :).
    Very colourful in early Summer when daisies , buttercups and an invading (but welcome) Pratia pendunculata (escapee from former scree-bed) appears annually .
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Speaking of tree-roots............ ;)

  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    @Paul B3 that sounds like a wonderful obstacle course! We have a few square feet of grass (couldn't call it lawn) left, also a path. Lawns aren't going make "the cut" in garden designs of the near future I'd wager. 
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