I planted a hedge between my friend's house and his wall, but his family told me to remove it (which I did) because they say that planting hedges next to walls causes the roots to grow into the wall and break it and it causes water to flow into the house, the walls of the house turn green, etc.
The hedge was box. Are they right or wrong?
2007-02-23 06:24:37 · 6 answers · asked by Wednesday 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
What a load of rubbish! Are they thinking of ivy perhaps? Buxus (box) hedging should cause no problems (they don't have tree roots!). Be careful to leave ventilation in walls clear if possible and don't over water.
I would replant and tell them to stop reading 'Day of the Triffids'.
2007-02-23 07:14:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the plant. If its just a typical leafy hedge, the roots are small in size and would not have the strength to break a conc. wall. Just don't water it alot....the water can run down the conc. wall and damage the basement if the landscaping is neglected and slopes to the house. If the hedge is a climbing style, the kind you see on old colleges, then yes it will damage the house over time. The ivy tends to keep the wall cool and damp and it slowly break down the wall surface...especially if its stucco. Plus it gets into the soffit and vents.
Typical leafy hedge....damage minimal if any (more from overwatering)
Climbing style hedge.....over time (alot of time - decades)...damage can occur.
2007-02-23 06:40:14 · answer #2 · answered by D. T. 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wrong. Box grows far too slowly to do any of that. I have box trees (shrubs at the moment) lining the paths next to the house - house one side, then path, then box tree /shrub. Box never grows big enough to be a useful hedge so you were really wasting your time and an awful lot of money - box is far too expensive to waste on the likes of them.
2007-02-23 06:30:07 · answer #3 · answered by Tertia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a brigklayer and it wouldn't cause damage. Your neighbours are talking crap because roots of plants are below ground and therefore below DPC (Damp Proof Course) on the house so the idea of water coming into the house is a load of pants.
2007-02-23 06:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some hedges could bo this, but not box
2007-02-23 06:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by mickey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are right it can also harm the plant i work in a nursery in tennessee
2007-02-23 12:41:56 · answer #6 · answered by mountainchowpurple 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋