TREE AND SHRUBSLeaf it to me

If you espalier a tree next to a house wall will the roots undermine the foundations?

I’m keen to train some fruit trees to grow along an outside wall of my house – espalier style, but I’ve seen the damage that tree roots can do to concrete foundations (cracks, movement etc) and to plumbing – which is also likely to be nearby. Are there specific methods of making sure the roots only grow away from the wall/house, or does the nature of the fact that the tree is so trimmed and trained mean that roots just don’t get big enough to be an issue? Is it a concern?

I wouldn’t worry too much about damage to foundations if you pick a small tree. Most citrus etc do not have enough roots to damage the foundations and they are generally shallow rooted. There are also new varieties of dwarf peaches, lemons etc that might suit your needs.

if you want to be extra sure, buy some root barrier (from garden shops) and dig down along the wall and place this against the foundation, Bury the foundation again and plant your tree. Careful section is the answer. Roots will still get big even if the top of the tree is reduced in size. In Bonsai the roots are trimmed annually, not just the top.

Gardening tips with Dennis Hubbard ( No.

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