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Those Tree Roots Out Battle Concrete Curbs every time in Sacramento

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Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

 

Those Tree Roots Out Battle Concrete Curbs every time in Sacramento

 

 

 

When it comes to the tree roots vs. concrete curbs, the concrete doesn’t stand a chance. This is especially true if the concrete does not have any steel reinforcement. Having some rebar or wire mesh adds a great deal of strength. Even then, the proximity of the tree itself is a factor.

 

 

If you are replacing those concrete curbs in Sacramento, look for an experienced contractor to do the job right.

 

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Seems to me that the installer of the curb should have seen this one coming. 

Mar 25, 2014 07:28 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

 I am the HOA President and have to deal with several sidewalks in our neighborhood that are having tree root issues.  They are being lifted 3+ inches from the ground by medium size trees.  Not cool.... an accident waiting to happen.

Mar 25, 2014 07:31 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

How far out do you suggest planting trees from brick or cement to prevent this?

Mar 25, 2014 07:32 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I agree Lenn, where else can the tree roots go? Not a place for a tree to be planted.

Mar 25, 2014 07:51 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Accidents are always a concern in these situations John, it is not cool!

Mar 25, 2014 07:56 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Tough question to answer here John, it depends.

If I had to throw out a number, I wouldn't get within 15 feet with an average sized tree.

Some trees naturally grow near the surface, like a Eucalyptus. Trees that tend to grow roots downward is more sidewalk friendly.

How we water has an impact too; daily surface watering forces the roots to stay up high. Soil types like clay don't allow water to seep deep either.

You can see, this is not an easy answer. One thing is certain, planting a tree within 12 inches of a curb is just asking for trouble.  :)

Enjoy this day John!

Mar 25, 2014 08:03 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Tom, In my experience, tree roots win everywhere not just in Sacramento!  

Mar 25, 2014 10:37 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Once again, Mother Nature shows who is boss.

Several years ago the City fathers here in Priest River decided that the town would look better with trees along Main Street.

So... they had holes cut in the sidewalks - about 2' across as I recall. Then they planted young trees.

They did look nice, and all was well until the trees started to grow...

Now there are no trees on Main Street.

Mar 25, 2014 02:04 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes Tom, planting a curb that close to a tree seems to be a bad idea for both the curb and the tree.

Mar 25, 2014 03:36 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I see trees too close to houses, or stairs, or porches, or sidewalks all the time!

Mar 25, 2014 08:54 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Tony & Darcy - You are right, the Sacramento trees are not unique when it comes to tree damage.  :)

Mar 25, 2014 10:47 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Marte - You would have thought someone would have seen that one coming.

Mar 25, 2014 10:47 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Bob - True, the tree also suffers from these choices!

Mar 25, 2014 10:47 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Jay - You would think we would learn from the past.  :)

Mar 25, 2014 10:47 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

My first day of World History class in college my prof said, "This year in history we will learn from history that we learn nothing from history!"  Meaning, we make the same mistakes over and over.

Mar 26, 2014 05:51 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That sure has been what I have found Jay.  :)

Mar 26, 2014 11:48 PM