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Ed's Tree Root Tips

In the Garden > Gardening Tips, Books, Techniques and Tools

Ed's Tree Root Tips

Several months ago we showed a story about storm water pipes that had been completely clogged by liquidambar roots. The owners of the tree actually removed an amazing 30 metres (100') of root from their terracotta pipes! In response to that story, Ed Simmonds of Port Macquarie has written a most interesting letter with two tips to help prevent roots from damaging pipes: when laying down pipes, bury a piece of exposed copper wire next to the pipes when mortaring pipe joints, mix some liquid copper sulphate into the mortar

You might think Ed is telling a couple of old husbands' tales. In fact, tree roots are extremely sensitive to copper compounds and the science behind his tips is very good.

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