Hey everyone! I'm currently working on some big renovations at my place, and one of the main projects is replacing my old pave stone driveway with a new concrete one. I have a river/silver/paper birch that I planted when I built my house, and I really don't want to get rid of it because it means a lot to me. I've heard that the roots of river birches can be quite shallow and might lift stones in sandy soil, which has happened already. We're planning to excavate a bit and pour a thick 5-inch concrete driveway. If I keep the birch, should I be worried that its roots will eventually damage the concrete? Thanks for any advice you can give!
3 Answers
If your birch is close to where you're excavating, you'll probably see how deep the roots go. Cutting them could potentially harm or even kill the tree. That said, you might want to consider installing a root barrier when you do the driveway. This can help stop roots from creeping underneath the concrete and causing issues later.
I suggest posting your question in a dedicated arborist community; they might provide some deeper insights. My gut feeling is that the excavation process could be tough on the birch tree. Those trees are fantastic, and having one from when you first settled in is something really special! Hope you find a good solution.
It really depends on how close the birch tree is planted to the driveway. I've seen cases where a birch right next to a driveway caused major issues, and sometimes sections had to be replaced. It's generally recommended to keep trees at least 30 feet away from concrete structures. Some sources say around 15 to 20 feet could work too, but the closer it is, the more likely it could cause problems down the line.