If a tree is growing well, a survival mechanism is to explore the soil for supplies of oxygen, nutrients and water. It is our belief that tree roots do not cause sanitary line leaks. However, if a water vapor source or a water leak is available, the tree root will seek the water location as a survival reaction. There is doubt at this point, given an available water vapor source or a leak, that the tree root can make a minor problem significantly worse.

Local hardware stores have a chemical for removing tree roots. This will kill the roots that are in the service line.

Generally the City does not remove parkway trees. The City strives to maintain as large an urban forest as possible. Certain exceptions are made for tree removals. Please call (714) 990-7691 to speak to the Landscape, Parks and Parkway Trees supervisor if you have specific questions regarding tree removal.

Tree roots are opportunistic. While they will not crack a sound sewer service or water line, they will exploit cracks or failures in the lines. The best defense against having tree roots in lines is to make sure that your lines are in good condition and that they're not cracked. If you suspect that tree roots are growing into your sewer line, you can have the roots cut out using a process called "rodding".

Tree roots do not cause drains or sewer pipes to break, but they will invade and clog drains that have pre-existing cracks and resultant leakage. Drains are usually six to eight feet below ground level, while tree roots grow almost exclusively in the upper two feet of soil, because they not only need nutrients, but also oxygen to survive.

When homeowners suspect they have a blocked sewer line between their home and the main City sewer, they should contact Toronto Water for assistance: 416-338-ROOT (7668). First response to sewer line blockage, inspection and emergency repair service will be provided by City staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After normal business hours, response will be limited to emergency situations where the sewer service lines are completely blocked.

Each type of City-owned parkway tree has been assigned a trimming schedule. This is every three years for all trees except palm trees. The palm trees are trimmed on a yearly schedule. Based on this schedule, the City of Brea contracts with a vendor to trim the trees. If you believe your tree needs trimming now, call (714) 990-7691 to make a request.

Each year the Maintenance Services Department budgets for a limited number of tree plantings, either as replacements for dead or dying trees, or as additions to the urban forest. The type of trees existing in your neighborhood will determine the species of trees planted. To request a tree, call (714) 990-7691.

Most people know that tree roots stabilize a tree. However, that is only part of their job. Most people don't realize that roots absorb oxygen out of the soil. Tree roots absorb air, water and nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus from the soil then convey these elements to the rest of the tree. All of these are essential for the trees growth and overall health. Tree roots also store starches that are produced during the growing season.

The growth characteristics of many species is to develop surface roots. Silver maples are one example. Many times, surface roots occur when the tree roots are looking for water, the soil is too hard, or the soil is saturated with water. Surface roots can impact sidewalks and driveways.

YES. The hopper on the TURF RAKE can raise to a height of nine feet so the unit can even dump into high sidewall dump trucks.

Tree roots can normally grow to that of two and one-half times the height of the tree. The area under the canopy of the tree is commonly referred to as the critical root zone. The amount of critical root zone lost is directly related to the amount of die-back in the crown of the tree. In an oak tree, if more than 30 percent of the critical root zone is lost, the tree will die. However, soft wood trees, such as box elder, can tolerate far more root disturbance.

No -- There are often hazards involved in trimming parkway trees that City staff and contractors are equipped to handle, such as overhead power lines, branches falling into the street, etc. It is best to report trimming needs to the attention of Ben Deutsch, Street Foreman/Arborist, at the Public Works office, 377-4459.

We receive approximately 800 requests per year for tree removals. Those that pose the most critical needs will be prioritized and removed first.

Roots grow toward water vapor or moisture, by a continuous process (hydrotropism) occurring at the very end of the root. The root grows one cell at a time enabling it to enter the small cracks and joints, which may be present in your pipe. After a root enters a pipe, it divides hundreds of times to form a large mass of tender root ends. This root mass will accumulate a thick coating of grease which will collect up on the root mass until a blockage occurs.

No. In six years of controlled use, there has been no indication of damage caused from the spike or cross member entering the root ball. Any piercing will, at worst, cause the roots to grow around the impediment.

Tree roots will certainly contribute to sidewalk failure, but they are not the initial cause of heaving. There are a number of factors that contribute to sidewalk failure: the method of sidewalk construction, type of soil under and surrounding the sidewalk, proximity of the sidewalk to the tree's buttress roots, and others. There are several things that can be done to repair the sidewalk and maintain the health of the tree.

The Town of Wilmington Tree Division does not remove town trees without good reason. Trees will only be removed if deemed hazardous or an immediate safety concern. We will inspect removal requests as soon as possible and if deemed appropriate, will enter that work request into our database and schedule the work within our priorities.

A City citizen ad hoc committee determined, for environmental reasons, that only a certified arborist could make the determination as to whether a City tree would be removed. Telephone us at (626) 858-7294. The staff member answering the telephone will take the information and prepare a work order. A Supervisor will contact our arborist that will make the final determination. The Supervisor will notify you of the arborist's decision.

A tree is only removed that is dead, dying, structurally unsound or if it creates a problem that cannot be resolved without causing great harm to the tree. Trees are inspected and the decision to remove is made on a case-by-case basis.