Landscaping & Design/fruitless mulberry

Advertisement

Expert: Marc Chapelle, RLA - 6/16/2009


Question
I live in Albuquerque, and did not water the tree enough (strict water restrictions) can I grind the roots to ground level without killing the tree? It's approx.12 years old, and 25 feet tall with grass all around, making it very difficult to mow the lawn.

Answer
Sounds like the wrong tree in the wrong place.  Consider replacing it with something better behaved (Ash, Chinese Pistache, or Chinese Elm)

http://aces.nmsu.edu/pes/lowwaterplants/large-deciduous-trees.html  

Under-watering the tree did not cause this problem.  The shallow roots are an important part of the tree's health, and you can try to "grind" them, but you'll now give pathogens and diseases a new path in to the tree's system.  No guarantees that it will "kill" the tree, but it won't be good for its health.

I have one in my backyard, and we only grow kids under it...bare dirt, sandbox, and a swing.  Ours is about 20 years old and in really poor health; but thats another tale.

So sorry.  ~Marc  

Landscaping & Design

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Marc Chapelle, RLA

Expertise

As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. IF YOU ARE GOING TO ASK FOR A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience

20+ years of working with homeowners, contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms. I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect I've worked on both the East and West Coasts.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Licensed in NV, CA, & VA - but can answer Q's across the country Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.