Tree roots can harm sand mound systems

Image of tree roots that can harm sand mound systems

This article will cover how tree roots can harm sand mound systems. Trees are placed in gardens to add natural elements into the property. However, the consequence of planting trees focuses on the septic system. If you have sand mound systems, you should take extra care and consideration in choosing in planting trees and other plants. Trees are living organisms and like other plants, they need to have a regular supply of water and nutrients. Of course, your sand mound is a perfect source, which is why trees access it as much as they can. With this, tree roots can harm sand mound systems especially since they tend to have higher moisture levels. The added nutrients into the soil attract the tree roots positioned near the sand mounds.

As you know, sand mounds are designed and built in properties that have soil with either slow or fast percolation rates. It is a type of septic system that’s elevated or raised because of the assistance that it has to give the soil. Additional filters are installed in a sand mound system to enable the smooth treatment of the wastewater system.  Sand mound systems are viewed as complicated septic systems already. Having plants o trees around your septic system may cause additional worries if you don’t do it well. Plant lovers just tend to think of the roots and the soil that the plants should have to survive. They never really give much thought to the septic system underneath those roots. Trees don’t look at a sand mound and avoid it. Their roots will always be attracted to the rich amount of water and nutrients that come from this form of septic. When the tree roots succeed in accessing your sand mound system, damages such as septic tank perforation and ruptures pipelines.

Some experts prefer planting slow-growing, small trees around the sand mound area. Larger, fast-growing trees pose as real dangers to the sand mound system. If you end up purchasing a home that has huge trees near the sand mound area, it is best to approach an arborist and discuss what the best option would be in moving the trees away from the sand mound system. It is true that removing trees may sound heartless because one may think that removing them from their area would be like disposing of them. Trees are not disposable. They are living creatures and they deserve a place where they could thrive without any issues especially with your  sand mound system. If these trees do succeed in establishing themselves with your sand mound system, you would have to prepare yourself for large amounts of cash leaving your back accounts. Moving trees away from your sand mound area is much more inexpensive than purchasing a brand new wastewater treatment system.

The following is a list of hardwood plants that are safe to plant near sand mound systems:

  • Aralia
  • Cordyline australias (cabbage tree)
  • Begonias
  • Coprosma propinqua (Coprosma)
  • Canna lilies
  • Phormium tenax (Flax trees)
  • Fuscia
  • Hebe
  • Pittosporum tenufolium (Kohuhu tree)
  • Olearia rani (Heketara)
  • Hoheria populnea (Lacebark)
  • Brachyglottis repnda (Rangiora)
  • Elaeocarpus hookerianus (Pokaka)
  • Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)
  • Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)
  • Carpodetus serratus (Philodendrons/Poataniweta)
  • Myrsine divaricata (Weeping mapou)
  • Taro

If you are considering planting Red Spruce trees and Norway Pines, you should consider the following:

1)  Red Spruce trees

These trees grow up to 60 to 80 feet high with a trunk diameter or 1 to 2 feet. It can exceed these measurements occasionally. The red Spruce is also known as He-Balsam tree, Picea rubens, Easter Spruce tree, Yellow Spruce tree, and West Virginia Spruce tree. Planting this tree at least a hundred feet from your sand mound system will allow you to have a functional septic system for up to six decades.

2)  Norway pine

This North American tree grows very quickly during the first 60 to 70 years of their existence. They can live up to 350 years and could be 120 feet high with up to 3 feet in diameter. Plant this tree at least 1000 feet away from your sand mound’s soil absorption area because of their aggressive root systems.

Always consult your arborist and septic expert for the best option for planting trees and other hardwood plant near your sand mound area.