11 trees with aggressive roots

When choosing which tree we are going to plant in a garden or in any other place, in addition to informing ourselves about the species and its hardiness, one of the most important things we have to do is find out what its roots are like. If we do not think about it, the risk of buying one that is not the most suitable for our area is quite high.

So that no problems arise we are going to tell you which are the trees with aggressive roots. These are not bad options, but in a small garden they could cause serious problems in the medium or long term, so it is only recommended to plant them in large plots, at least ten meters from the pool and the house.

Acacia

Trees and shrubs of the genus Acacia They are plants that generally live in areas where there is little rain, so their roots do their best to find water. In doing so, they grow, being able to measure more than five meters. The height of the plants is about 5 to 15 meters depending on the speciesand can be evergreen (like the acacia saligna) or deciduous (acacia tortilis).

They support pruning very well, and some even frost. They are not demanding on the soil, but it is preferable that it has good drainage.

Aesculus hippocastanus (Horse chestnut)

El horse chestnut it is an immense deciduous tree, which easily can be 30 meters tall and develop a crown of 5 or 6 meters in diameter. Its leaves are larger than a human hand, measuring about 30 inches wide by 25 inches high more or less. These are made up of 5 or 7 green leaflets, but they turn yellow in autumn. During spring they produce flowers grouped in white inflorescences.

It is not an invasive species at all, but due to its characteristics it should only be planted in large gardens, where it can be kept as an isolated specimen. Pruning is not recommended, as doing so would lose all its charm. It resists up to -18ºC, and can be kept in clay soils as long as they have good drainage.

Beech

Our beech are deciduous trees that They reach 20 to 40 meters in height. Its trunks are cylindrical and thick, and its crown branches several meters high. They grow slowly, but due to the horizontal arrangement of their leaves they manage to capture as much sunlight as possible, preventing other plants from growing around them. These leaves are generally green, but turn yellow or reddish in fall.

They live in places with a temperate climate, in acidic or slightly acidic soils, deep and with very good drainage. They resist up to -18ºC.

Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus They are trees that in countries like Spain were planted a lot in the past, but now it is becoming less and less. The reason is that apart from growing very fast, there are some species that are invasive. Although they have many virtues (fast growth, resistance to fire), you have to think twice before planting one in the garden: they need a lot of space. They can reach heights of more than 40 metersand its roots more than ten meters.

Depending on the species, they can withstand cold and frost without problems. For example, him Eucalyptus gunnii holds up to -14ºC, but the Eucalyptus it only lives in tropical climates.

Fraxinus (Ash trees)

The ash They are very fast-growing trees, usually deciduous, although there are perennials. They reach between 15 and 20 meters in height. Its trunk is straight, with a cylindrical shape, and the crown is rounded, giving a very pleasant shade. The leaves are green and composed of green leaflets that turn yellow during the fall.

These are plants that must be as far away as possible from where there are pipes, since their roots grow ten meters or more. They resist up to -15ºC in general.

Rubber plant

Virtually all trees in the genus Ficus have invasive roots, except for dwarf cultivars such as Ficus benjamina »Kinky» It can even be kept in a pot due to its small size (1 or 2 meters high). But the rest are plants, most of them evergreen, although there are exceptions, which have to be planted far from pipes and houses.

They grow to heights of 10 to 20 metersand with their more or less rounded crown they provide a lot of shade. Some species, such as the loaded with figsthey produce edible figs. It also resists frosts down to -7ºC and pruning.

Melia sourach

Image – Flickr / Scamperdale

La melia It is a deciduous tree widely used to decorate gardens and streets, as its crown not only branches a lot, but also being shaped like an umbrella, it provides a very pleasant shade. It reaches a height of approximately 12 meters. The leaves are odd-pinnate, 15 to 45 centimeters long, and in autumn they turn yellow before falling. It blooms in spring, producing lilac florets grouped in panicles.

Its life expectancy is about 20 years, provided that pruning – especially drastic ones – is avoided. Resists up to -17ºC.

Populus (poplars or poplars)

Image – Wikimedia / GuentherZ

The poplars or poplars are deciduous trees that grow between 10 and 30 meters in height. Their trunks are straight, almost column-like, and their branches sprout simple, broad leaves, with serrated edges and green in color. During spring they bloom, producing male and female catkins in different specimens.

They like humid or semi-humid terrain, so they live very well in places where it rains frequently. They resist frosts down to -18ºC.

Salix (Willows)

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Dalgial

The Sauces are semi-deciduous trees and shrubs that reach an approximate height of 15 meters. These plants are very beautiful in large gardens, as their canopy can measure more than 5 meters, thus providing plenty of shade. Furthermore, some species such as the Babylonian willow they resist waterlogging.

Of course, pruning weakens them a lot so that they should not be done. But otherwise, they resist frosts down to -18ºC.

elm

Image – Wikimedia / Melburnian

The elm trees are deciduous or semi-deciduous trees that they can measure between 10 and 45 meters depending on the variety. Its crown is rounded, somewhat open, and is heavily populated with small green leaves that turn yellow or reddish in autumn.

Although they are perfect for large gardens, it is necessary to know that there are species that are victims of graphiosis, a disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis elm It is transmitted by beetles of the genus Hylurgopinus (in America) and Scolytus (in Europe). They resist up to -18ºC.

Zelkova

Image – Wikimedia / Tak Nawan

The zelkova They are the so-called Chinese elms, although they are also found in southern Europe. They look a lot like real elms, so much so that it is easy to mistake them. They reach a height of 20 to 40 metersand develop a thick trunk up to 4 meters in diameter on some occasions. Its crown is wide, highly branched and with numerous medium green leaves that turn red before falling.

Like elms, they resist intense frosts down to -18ºC. Pruning also does not harm them as long as they are not drastic.

Do you know other trees that have aggressive roots?