Maples do not mess around, that’s for sure. I learned the hard way about tamping too—skipped it once and ended up with a trench that looked like a mini canyon after a few months. Haven’t tried barrier fabric yet, but might have to if my neighbor’s tree keeps inching closer. Never trusted the salt method either...feels like asking for trouble.
Yeah, I hear you on the salt—never felt right dumping that stuff in the yard. My neighbor tried it and ended up killing half his own grass...not worth the risk. I went with a cheap plastic root barrier from the hardware store and it’s held up surprisingly well. Took some elbow grease to dig down far enough, but at least I’m not dealing with cracked pavers anymore. Maples are relentless, though—always something trying to sneak through.
I hear you about the maples—they’re like the ninjas of the tree world, always finding a way. I’ve used those plastic barriers too, and while they work, I once had a root actually curl under and pop up on the other side. Had to laugh...and then dig again. At least it beats pouring salt everywhere and hoping for the best.
Maple roots really don’t mess around. I’ve seen them squeeze through cracks in concrete, so I’m not surprised barriers aren’t foolproof. Curious if you’ve tried any of the root pruning tools out there, or do you just stick with digging by hand? I’ve wondered if the effort’s worth it compared to replanting something less aggressive, but tenants always seem to like the shade...
I’ve tried a couple of those root pruning tools, but honestly, I always end up back with a shovel and a lot of sweat. The tools are fine for smaller stuff, but once those maple roots get thick, it’s just brute force. I’ve thought about ripping the tree out and planting something less invasive, but like you said, the shade is a big deal—especially in summer. Ever notice how fast those roots come back after you cut them? Feels like a losing battle sometimes...
