Full Answer
How deep do blue spruce tree roots grow?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, blue spruce trees develop shallow roots after seed germinate, perhaps only 2 to 3 inches deep. This reveals that this tree species grows with a spreading, shallow root system.
Can you plant a blue spruce tree near a house?
If you plant the tree too close to a house, then there is a risk that their roots may damage the foundation or pipes. The roots of blue spruce plants grow both outward and downward. The roots grow upto a diameter of 11 to 14 inches. So you should allow them enough space to expand along the diameter.
Do spruce roots burrow downward or across?
Specifically, do the roots burrow downward or across? Depending upon the size of your spruce, you'll find most of the roots in the top 12-18" of soil, extending out at least as far as the branch tips. Most of the roots that venture out that far are feeder roots and can be severed if you plan to move the tree.
How far do birch tree roots spread?
Just how far do birch tree roots actually spread? Birch tree roots spread as far as the tree grows wide and create an intensive mat of roots 4-8 inches thick below the soil surface and spread 20-40 feet as they mature, leading to issues with underground structures. In general, a birch tree’s root system doubles in size during its first year alone.
How big are the roots on a blue spruce?
Rooting Habit- Young seedlings of blue spruce are shallow rooted, with roots penetrating the soil only about 6.4 cm.
How deep do blue spruce tree roots go?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, blue spruce trees develop shallow roots after seed germinate, perhaps only 2 to 3 inches deep. This reveals that this tree species grows with a spreading, shallow root system.
Can blue spruce roots damage Foundation?
Spruce Tree Roots Can Damage Your Foundation.
How close to the house can I plant a blue spruce?
I would plant this particular tree species at least 20-25' away from your house as it is my experience that most homeowners and landscapers tend to plant trees way too close to structures. Keep some distance!
Can spruce tree roots damage foundation?
Tree roots themselves don't actually damage a foundation. It's the contraction from drought which can pull away supporting soil from around or beneath a foundation. This leaves room for the foundation to settle unevenly, which can cause cracks.
Are spruce trees roots invasive?
Editor's note: Some spruce trees, like the Norway spruce (Picea abies), were introduced to North America from Europe, and are now considered invasive species.
Can tree roots break through concrete?
Tree roots present an even bigger potential problem for concrete surfaces. They move through cement in the same way as smaller plants, but with much greater potential energy. Trees near your concrete areas could push roots beneath and through the surface, causing expensive damage and dangerous cracks in the slab.
How close can a tree be to a house for insurance?
To avoid the risk of damage, tree roots and shrubs shouldn't be planted too close to your property. A general rule is to plant a tree as far away from a property as its estimated fully grown height.
What should you not plant near a foundation?
DON'T plant trees and shrubs in areas that could interfere with utility lines or air-conditioning units. Before you begin your planning, call 811 to determine the location of any underground utility lines on your property, so you can avoid those areas.
Where is the best place to plant a blue spruce?
sunny spotPlant Colorado blue spruce in a sunny spot that has rich, moist but well-drained soil. Dig a hole the same depth as the container and roughly 1.5 times as wide. Gently remove the plant from its pot, then use a sharp spade, planting knife or hand saw to shave off any outer circling roots.
How much space does a blue spruce need?
Start your spacing at 16 feet apart to accomodate a mature spread of 15-20 feet. If you plant in rows, space your rows atleast 20 feet apart.
Which trees damage foundations?
Select trees that are slow-growing, with less aggressive rooting patterns to limit potential of subsidence damage. ABI identify the most potentially damaging trees to avoid planting are Oak, Willow, Sycamore, Ash, Plane and Poplar and have compiled a handy list of tree types and recommended distances from building.
What is the average life of a blue spruce tree?
The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a member of the pine tree family that is native to the Rocky Mountain regions of North America. The tree has a mature height of around 70 to 80 feet. While blue spruce grows relatively slowly, it is long-lived and may reach ages of 600-800 years.
What is the root structure of a spruce tree?
The root system of Norway spruce lacks a taproot, develops laterally, and is relatively shallow, averaging 40 cm in depth. Most roots are concentrated in the upper 10 cm soil depth in pure stands, but may extend to 35 cm depth in mixed species stands.
How quickly does a blue spruce grow?
This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.
Can blue spruce trees be transplanted?
Picea pungens (blue spruce), the State Tree of Colorado, is reportedly relatively easily transplanted.
How do spruce trees grow?
IN normal soil, a spruce tree has a fairly normal root system. Which is to say it has a tap root and a series of roots that fan out around the base of the tree. These roots are sensitive to the stresses of wind, gravity etc. put upon the tree and will strengthen accordingly. But spruces commonly grow on top of massive impenetrable rock with only a thin cover soil. They will start growing in a crack or fissure and become too large for the size of the crack. Then they will form a mat over the entire rock until roots can get to deeper viable soil. You often see them blown over and showing a large flat root system.
How many species of spruce are there?
Spruce refers to the Picea genus of plants, which includes 35 separate species. While the majority of these coniferous tree species have a fairly unremarkable average growth rate (between 6 inches and 11 inches per year), the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca) are renowned for their extraordinarily fast rates of growth.
How to tell if a tree has blown over?
You can get an idea if the relative depth of the root system when you see a tree that’s been blown over by the wind. At the bottom of the trunk (which is now horizontal) you will usually see a large fan shaped formation. This is the root system and it gives an idea of how shallow most tree root systems are.
What is the root system of a tree called?
However, here are some facts concerning tree roots are important: Diagrammatically, mature tree develop a root system that has what is commonly referred to as a “plate” that has a diameter and a depth; The plate can change shape and root distribution that is relative to the slope.
Why are root depths and radial spans purely imaginary?
There are often occasions when root depths and radial spans are purely imaginary, as not enough testing is done by experts. Variations occur through soil density, moisture and difference in plant requirements.
Where is pine growing in the sands of a freshwater lake?
Lake Tahoe South, Nevada, US. Pine growing in the sands of a freshwater lake. Anchoring roots are acting like droppers but since there is adequate water it makes having super-efficient water abstracting roots unnecessary.
Does soil compaction affect root depth?
Many municipal parks (Australia) once were rubbish dumps. Nonetheless, root depth is dependent on soil compaction, and therefore, amounts of CO2 that inhibit root development whereas O2 promotes.
How deep do blue spruce roots grow?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, blue spruce trees develop shallow roots after seed germinate, perhaps only 2 to 3 inches deep. This reveals that this tree species grows with a spreading, shallow root system.
Where are blue spruce trees native to?
Native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains, the Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca) attains an upright, cone-like shape. The attractive blue-green to silvery blue needles make it a popular specimen tree or dwarf conifer choice for cold winter areas. Advertisement.
How tall is a Colorado blue spruce?
Many cultivars of Colorado blue spruce exist today, ranging in mature height from over 50 feet to a dwarf, shrub-like 3 to 8 feet. In all cases, mainly horizontal roots occur, although some mature roots may become larger and grow more deeply to anchor the plant. Do not expect a singular, carrot-like root. Advertisement.
How far away is the Colorado Blue Spruce tree from the house?
The previous homeowners hired a landscaping company which planted a Colorado Blue Spruce tree close to the house about 10 years ago. The trunk is approximately 10 1/2 feet from the foundation, and the tree now stands about 20 feet (as high as where the roof begins.) Is it recommended that we cut the tree down?
How tall is a spruce tree?
Its already 40 feet tall with a spread of 20 feet so far. It should get to 75-100 feet high. Spruces look deep for water..Maples are the ones with shallow roots. I'd worry about those gas and water lines for sure!! Foundation not so much cause it will take a lot of force to move a foundation...
