Had a similar showdown with a maple tree a few years back—trust me, angling the barrier outward isn't always the magic bullet people think it is. Roots are stubborn little monsters; they'll find their way around eventually. Honestly, I've found that combining barriers with occasional root pruning works better long-term. Sure, it's extra work, but beats waking up to cracked concrete surprises every spring... ask me how I know.
You're spot-on about root pruning—it's often overlooked but can save a lot of headaches down the line. I've dealt with a stubborn oak myself, and barriers alone were never enough. One thing I'd add is considering gravel trenches alongside barriers; roots seem less inclined to push through loose gravel than compacted soil. It's not foolproof, of course, but combined with pruning, it's kept my driveway intact for years now... fingers crossed it stays that way.
"roots seem less inclined to push through loose gravel than compacted soil."
Interesting point about gravel trenches—never considered that angle. Do you think gravel size matters much here, like finer vs. coarser? Either way, sounds like you've got a solid setup going... hope it holds!
"roots seem less inclined to push through loose gravel than compacted soil."
Good observation. A few years back, I had a similar issue with tree roots invading the sewer line at one of my properties. Ended up using coarse gravel around the pipe—figured bigger gaps might discourage root growth better than finer stuff. So far, no issues... knock on wood. Gravel size probably does matter, but honestly, proper drainage and regular checks are just as important.
"knock on wood"
Haha, definitely knocking on wood for you! I've found gravel helpful too, but like you mentioned, regular checks are key. Roots can be sneaky little devils... glad your strategy's holding up so far.
