Definitely agree on gravel being useful, though personally I've found installing root barriers to be even more effective long-term. Gravel helps drainage, but determined roots sometimes still sneak through... Better safe than sorry with multiple layers of protection.
Good points on the gravel and root barriers—though I've seen roots laugh in the face of both sometimes. A few years back, we had a maple whose roots somehow tunneled under a barrier and popped up on the other side like some escape artist... crazy determination. Gravel definitely helps drainage, but I'd never fully trust it alone. Multiple layers are good, but honestly, regular checks and occasional pruning seem unavoidable if you've got stubborn trees nearby. Roots always find a way eventually...
Curious if anyone's tried copper sulfate crystals to discourage root growth? I've seen it used sometimes in plumbing lines to keep roots at bay, but not sure how effective it'd be around barriers or gravel setups. Roots really are sneaky little things... had a customer once whose sewer line got invaded by tree roots three separate times, despite multiple cleanings and barrier attempts. Makes me wonder—are certain tree species more determined than others? Maples seem notoriously stubborn, but what about oaks or willows? And does soil type make a difference in how aggressively roots spread?
Honestly, seems like no matter what you do, it's always a game of cat-and-mouse with nature. Maybe the best we can hope for is keeping the upper hand most of the time and accepting occasional defeat gracefully, haha.
"Roots really are sneaky little things... had a customer once whose sewer line got invaded by tree roots three separate times"
Copper sulfate can help temporarily, but honestly, it's more of a band-aid than a permanent fix. I've found mechanical barriers and regular inspections work better long-term. And yeah, maples are relentless—willows too, especially near water.
Copper sulfate is definitely just a temporary fix. Had a similar issue at my place—thought I'd won the war after dumping that blue stuff down the drain, but nope, the roots just laughed and came back stronger. Eventually, I bit the bullet and installed a root barrier. Best decision ever, honestly. And you're spot-on about willows; had one near a pond at my old house, and it was like it had radar for pipes. Beautiful tree, but man, it was relentless... felt like I was playing whack-a-mole with roots every few months. Mechanical barriers and regular checks are definitely the way to go if you want to keep your sanity intact.
