AboutSean J Murphy, LA Expertise I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
Awards and Honors ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more!!! too many to list here
Past/Present clients
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Powdersprings,
City of Stockbridge,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA Date: 7/13/2008 Subject: Re: Meandering Tree Roots
Question I was recently cleaning a planting bed behind the house. It is not well maintained presently. I notice a trunk growing in amongst the stems of this bush and the leafs sprouting from this trunk were broad and not at all like the small leafs of the bush itself. To my uneducated eye it looked like the beginning of a tree seedling. I subsequently found a root from a neighbor's oak tree at the rear corner of the house. I removed a seven foot section of the root running from the fence to the corner of the house. I have two questions. If a planting bed is setup properly in a scenario as outlined above and you lay down a moisture barrier to retard the growth of weeds would that also deter anything growing from these meandering tree roots? If answer is no, what do you treat the roots with to prevent it from growing back and yet is environmentally friendly? Thank you for your time.
Answer There are two things you are confusing, one a moisture barrier and two a weed barrier. A moisture barrier is something you apply to the walls of your house or in your basement to retard or resist the movement of moisture vapors into your home. Often this is a simple sheet of plastic. A weed barrier is a geo-textile that allows water to penetrate but stops weeds from coming up from beneath the barrier. Often times people use plastic as a weed barrier but its not a good idea as is stops water from getting to the soil which is bad for many reasons.
No weed barrier or plastic sheet will stop a tree root. However, roots tend to grow more where they can find water, so I guess you could argue that if you use plastic and stop the water from penetrating the ground, maybe the root will be less likely to grow there. However, I would stop short of saying it would prohibit the roots growth.
There is nothing you can treat tree roots with that would not also be bad for other plants in the area and or possibly kill the tree. There are also now laws in many places that make it criminal for you do do anything that would or could purposefully kill a neighbors tree. But this varies from state and city. Your best bet fro an environmentally sensitive solution is a heavy plastic or metal root barrier. Try this site and others like it: http://www.deeproot.com
Best Of Luck,
Sean J Murphy, LA, ISA
Amenity Architects, LLC
SEI - Southeastern Engineering, Inc.
