There is a flower bed that i want to rejuvinate at the base of a fairly large pear tree in my yard. The tree and bed have been neglected for years. now there are significant shoots growing up that will require an axe to radicate. also the bed is fULL of roots! how can i get bulbs in there? So 2 q's...can i ax out the big sections of root grwoing new trees at teh base, and can i build the soil up a few inches, all w/out hurting the tree? (we have had drought for a couple months, bu it's raining again - dont know if that has affected the tree...)
2006-07-31 06:46:37 · 6 answers · asked by _heart_ 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
The shoots are suckers and should be cut out. They drain strength away from the tree. If the tree has been neglected for years, it could probably use a hard pruning too. You may want to hire someone who knows how it's done.
Do NOT remove any roots! Your tree depends on its roots to anchor it and to get water and nutrients from the ground. And don't smother it by applying soil or compost under it either. If you really want bulbs under it, try the suggestion in a previous answer and find spots between the roots where you can insert a bulb digger.
2006-07-31 10:28:40 · answer #1 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Trimming the "shoots" should not harm the tree, though I would use loppers rather than an axe, if possible. Loppers would take the shoots off in one clean stroke, leaving less damage. As to chopping the roots or building up the soil, unfortunately that WILL damage the tree. The roots are very necessary to the life of the tree and any damage to them will cause the tree to die. Burying the tops of the roots in soil will smother them. If you get a bulb digger (see photo below), you may be able to "sneak" some bulbs in between the roots anyway -- they should not be packed in so tight that you can't put something in there! Good luck.
2006-07-31 06:56:00 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a problem, this is what you do.
You can sever the smaller shoots coming up. The larger shoots should be left until late fall ro winter.
As for the roots. You can sever them, but it must be dome carefully. You can usually sever about 1/4 of the roots per year. This leaves 3/4 of the roots to maintain the tree.
BUT if the weather is hot, you should wait a few weeks to do this as it will result in the tree being able to get less water.
It will take time, but over a period of a few years you will get rid of many of the roots.
BTW, this is the technique used to remove trees from the ground by collectors.
2006-07-31 06:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by urbanbulldogge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally not, but if this tree is especially important to you, get an arborist to do the trimming.
2006-07-31 06:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by prosopopoeia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) It could kill the tree.2) A good compost would help.
2006-07-31 06:59:01 · answer #5 · answered by stan_cheek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do it in dormant season
2006-07-31 06:50:50 · answer #6 · answered by lambtonliner 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋