Yeah, gravel alone can be a temporary fix at best. I've seen plenty of cases where roots just power through eventually, no matter how deep you go. Honestly, a proper root barrier is the way to go if you're serious about long-term solutions. It's not just about saving money—roots can damage underground utilities or surfaces, creating safety hazards down the line. Better safe than sorry...
I see your point, root barriers definitely help, but from personal experience, they're not always budget-friendly or practical in tight spaces. I've had decent luck combining gravel with regular pruning to manage roots—it's a compromise, sure, but workable if you're mindful about upkeep.
"I've had decent luck combining gravel with regular pruning to manage roots—it's a compromise, sure, but workable if you're mindful about upkeep."
Interesting approach... I'm curious though, have you found gravel effective long-term? From a plumbing standpoint, roots can be remarkably persistent—might want to occasionally inspect pipes just to be safe.
Gravel can be okay short-term, but roots have a knack for pushing through eventually—especially if there's moisture nearby. I've found that installing root barriers or switching to deeper-rooted native plants usually saves more hassle down the road. Just something to consider.
Gravel's definitely a temporary fix—learned that the hard way myself. Root barriers can help, but honestly, I've seen determined roots bust through those too after a few years. Native plants might be your best bet long-term, though even then, nature finds a way sometimes. Still, sounds like you're on the right track...good luck keeping those roots at bay.
