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Saturday - December 22, 2012

From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Water Gardens, Trees
Title: Cover oak roots with a pond from Round Rock TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hello! I have looked for this answer. We have 2 huge old beautiful live oaks. One is very close to the patio and house, and the other is about 20 feet of the house. Thus, part of their root systems are covered by the house. They were there first! Both are doing well. We are designing a pond in the yard. My question is whether it is safe to cover more live oak roots, about 20 feet out from the trunks. The pond will be lined, so I believe this will take some water away from the trees. The pond will not cover the entire areas, but will cover a big part of the yard starting just beyond one oak's canopy (about 20 feet from the trunk) and dipping under the other oak's canopy approximately 20 feet in and 20 feet in width. Do you think our pond plan is OK? Thanks!

ANSWER:

Which is more important? The pond or the oaks? We believe you are creating a large amount of impervious surface above those oak roots, just as if you were paving over the yard. As you say, the oaks were there first, and only you can decide if it is worth the risk.

An oak tree root system is extensive but shallow. The ground area at the outside edge of the canopy, referred to as the dripline, is especially important. The tree obtains most of its surface water here, and conducts an important exchange of air and other gases. Any change in the level of soil around an oak tree can have a negative impact. The most critical area lies within 6 to 10 feet of the trunk. No soil should be added or scraped away from that area. Construction activity is a great threat to trees. Do not allow any piling of materials, waste, etc. in the dripline area.

Paving should be kept out of the dripline and no closer than 15 feet from the tree trunk. If at all possible, use a porous paving material such as brick with sand joints, open bricks, bark, gravel, etc., which will allow some water penetration and gas exchange. Even with porous paving, the area around the trunk-at least a 10 foot radius-should be natural and uncovered

Water Gardening from How To Articles. From that article:

"Finding an ideal location for your pond should be your first consideration. It is possible to have a water garden in considerable (although not dense) shade, but leaves falling from nearby trees are a maintenance headache. Your largest selection of aquatic plants are those that grow in plenty of sun."

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