Patios & Tree Roots: What You Need To Know

Patios and paving will always be a beautiful addition to any home but it’s important that you take nature into account when having these facilities installed to ensure that they stand the test of time… and to protect Mother Earth, of course!

Something that’s certainly worth factoring in at the design and planning stage is the trees you have in your garden. Tree roots can cause all sorts of problems if you’re not careful, leading to potentially hefty repair bills, so knowing what to do before you lay your new patio can help protect your investment for years to come.

Firstly, aim to remove all the tree roots in your chosen location before you start any installation work. If you leave the roots behind, they will decompose eventually, leaving a void beneath your patio, which could see your paving slabs start to sink into the ground.

It’s also advisable to leave a significant gap between the trees on your property and your patio, as tree root systems can be quite extensive and they may start to grow beneath the paving, which can move the slabs about and leave the surface uneven. 

One potential option if you don’t want to remove the trees entirely is to consider installing a concrete footing in the soil to divert the roots. Choosing your tree species carefully can also help, so opt for varieties that have non-invasive tree roots, such as oaks, Japanese maples, fruit trees and shrubs like juniper, hydrangeas, hollies and gardenia.

You can also help make your patio and paved areas more resilient by choosing tree-friendly materials. What about going for interlocking paving stones, which are more effective at withstanding the pressure caused by tree roots. If you’d like any further help or advice, get in touch with the LW Landscapes team today.