Question From:
Greg Tempany in Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane QLD
Nature of problem:
Do roots of Bottlebrush trees beside houses pose structural problems ?
Type of Plant (if known):
Bottlebrush
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
None
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
loam
How often do you water the plant:
Don’t
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
8
What type of plant is it:
red flowering bottlebrush
How long since you planted it:
30 years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
No
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
Outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
None
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Tree concerned is right beside our house, about 50cm from its brick wall. There is no observable problem but a tradesman told us they can do significant damage to house foundations.
Answer: Hi Greg, when tradies speak about their trade issues – listen. But when they pontificate on other matters quietly leave the room.You forgot to mention whether your house is on a slab or has free standing piers. Assuming that it is on a concrete slab, the bottlebrush poses no risk to the house at all. The only possible issue is that if you have leaky terracotta sewerage lines or even leaky plastic ones, then the roots will be attracted to enter and block the pipes. Correctly installed pipes will not get roots in them. Don.
