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Hawthorn tree on Network Rail outside back garden fence

Rosemarie AdamsRosemarie Adams Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Mortified. I cried this morning. Talk to plants. Of course! I went out early yesterday in the cool of the morning, determined to start digging the 'natural' soakaway for the garden on which to grow some bog-plants around the planned new pond. As I am 75 and only 5'4" I used a small spade. I had been watering the clay ground for three weeks to make things easier. The spade went through the ground like a knife through butter. I eagerly showed my son when he emerged mid-morning! 'Mum! You've gone clean through a feeder root. You've probably killed the tree!' The tree is the most beautiful hawthorn. About 20' high. The birds love it. It is one of three at the back they feed on. The root is about 10' from the tree at a 45' diagonal and about an inch thick. When I started to cry he told me that as an established tree it probably has other feeder roots but I think he was just being nice! He said to slice it where the ground edge is dug. I asked him whether I should fill the hole again then with the soil taken out as otherwise it will be a soakaway with stones, pebbles and water! He said it wouldn't matter as it will probably rot back whatever I do! Can anyone advise me? I feel sick.

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I wouldn’t worry about this.  The tree will have lots of roots to provide food, water and support.  I often cut through roots on various trees and shrubs of that thickness in my garden to dig planting holes for perennials and bulbs.  So far, over many years, no harm done!  If the tree was a very young sapling then that’s a different matter.  I’d relax and continue with your project and enjoy it!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I agree - your beautiful Hawthorn will hardly have noticed :)
    At 20ft it's a mature specimen and will have masses of roots.
    The feeder roots are the tiny hair-like roots.
    The bigger roots keep the tree stable.
    There's no need for concern

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Don’t worry you’re head .It’ll be fine you see if it’s not .
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    If it's a 20 foot tree and the root was only an inch thick, you won't have caused any damage. 
    Please dry your tears and continue with the project. As others have said, it will be fine  :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Think of all the huge hawthorns in the field hedgerows that have survived year after year of their roots being damaged by my farming family’s ploughs and cultivators … it takes more than one root being severed to kill off a mature hawthorn believe you me. 
    Sleep easy … it’ll be fine … and full of blossom next May 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Rosemarie AdamsRosemarie Adams Posts: 9
    Of course! I just didn't think of that! Thankyou SO much for your reassurance. I spend a couple of hours each day signing and sharing petitions for animals around the globe and I made my apologies to the tree saying, "It's not JUST about the animals. You are a living being too!" Laugh Out Loud... 
  • Rosemarie AdamsRosemarie Adams Posts: 9
    Pete.8 said:
    I agree - your beautiful Hawthorn will hardly have noticed :)
    At 20ft it's a mature specimen and will have masses of roots.
    The feeder roots are the tiny hair-like roots.
    The bigger roots keep the tree stable.
    There's no need for concern
    So the feeder roots are those supplying the nutrients from the soil. Of course! Silly me. I think I was out and working before I was awake! 
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