Totally get what you mean about roots just ignoring gravel like it’s barely there. I tried the gravel trench thing along my fence line last year, thinking it’d be a solid fix. Fast forward to this spring and—yep—roots everywhere, just weaving right through. I ended up going with a root barrier made from thick plastic, even though I hated the idea. Not pretty, but it’s the only thing that’s actually worked so far. Trees are relentless, honestly. Sometimes I wonder if they’re secretly winning...
Funny you mention the plastic barrier—I’ve had to do the same thing more times than I care to admit. Roots just don’t care about gravel, honestly. Ever try one of those “root killer” products? I’ve seen mixed results, but sometimes it’s just easier to go old school with a shovel and some heavy-duty plastic. Curious, did you notice any issues with drainage after putting in the barrier? Sometimes those things can mess with water flow if you’re not careful. Trees really are stubborn... almost like they know exactly where you don’t want them.
Those root killer products are like snake oil most of the time—never worked for me. I went the cheap route with contractor bags and a shovel, and yeah, drainage got a little weird at first. Had to poke a few holes in the plastic to keep puddles from forming... not pretty, but it did the trick. Trees are relentless, though. Sometimes I swear they're plotting against my wallet.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had some luck with copper sulfate crystals for root issues. Not a miracle cure, but if you follow the directions and keep up with it, it slows the roots down without digging up half the yard. Contractor bags and shovels work in a pinch, but I’ve seen folks end up with bigger drainage headaches down the line. Trees are stubborn, no doubt... but sometimes a chemical assist buys you time before you have to go nuclear with the shovel.
Copper sulfate can help, but I always get a bit nervous about using chemicals near old pipes—seen too many horror stories with corroded lines. That said, it’s definitely less back-breaking than digging up the whole mess. I’ve had to go the shovel route a couple times and it’s never fun, especially if you’re dealing with rental properties and tenants need water back on ASAP. Good on you for staying ahead of it. Just keep an eye out for any slow drains or weird smells... roots have a way of sneaking back when you least expect it.
