Orange Tree - Gardening, plants, insects and pests in Playa Flamenca - Playa Flamenca forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
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Orange Tree

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:27am
8 replies266 views4 members subscribed
craig245t

craig245t

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Do orange tree roots cause damage to masonry? Our tree is right next to a low wall which is ours. My concern is the community pool which is about 5 feet past our wall. I'd hate to think the pool could be damaged by the tree which we'd be liable for.

The wall appears fine but is probably quite a shallow foundation and the roots could go underneath it.

Thanks

Kimmy11

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 3:37pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 3:37pm

Hi Craig,

Like most fruit trees, the roots of an orange tree are concentrated in the top 2 feet of the soil, with tap (longer) roots extending as much as 12 feet deep.  However, the lateral roots can extend well beyond the tree's crown size above ground.  Whether it affects foundations may depend on whether they are reinforced concrete, i.e. they have metal rods or mesh set into the wet concrete when poured.  Probably your biggest problem is going to be how to discreetly establish the strength of the foundations without drawing attention to the potential for your tree to do damage.  If you don't mind removing the tree, it may be the safest option, especially as the pool is so close to your boundary wall.

Kind regards,

Kim

craig245t

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 5:22pm

craig245t

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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 5:22pm

Thanks for the replies folks 👍

The pool will be reinforced concrete for sure. I don't really want to remove the tree as it looks great and the oranges are really nice.

I'll need to give it some thought 🤔

craig245t

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 5:58pm

craig245t

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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 5:58pm

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

The foliage at the widest point is 8 to 10 feet so the roots will definitely reach the pool.

I'll check out my house insurance - good shout👍

Kimmy11

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:41pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:41pm

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

Hi Baz, the "diameter" you mention is what is known as the "lateral" roots that I mentioned.  The lateral spread of a tree's roots depends on the tree variety.  Fruit trees tend not to be deep-rooted, but their lateral spread can be much wider than the size of the tree's canopy above ground.

Craig, if your insurance doesn't cover damage caused by roots, you could replace the orange tree with a shallow rooted tree, such as some types of Palm, Ornamental Cherry or a slow-growing Magnolia.

Kind regards,

Kim

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Kimmy11

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:46pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:46pm

Before we removed a number of trees from our gardens, I researched it in detail and then discussed it with our neighbouring farmer, before he sent over a couple of his labourers to help us remove Apple, Pear and Nispero trees, leaving us with just orange, lemon and olive trees.

craig245t

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:54pm

craig245t

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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:54pm

Kimmy11 wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:46pm:

Before we removed a number of trees from our gardens, I researched it in detail and then discussed it with our neighbouring farmer, before he sent over a couple of his labourers to help us remove Apple, Pear and Nispero trees, leaving us with just orange, lemon and olive trees.

Do you need permission from the ayuntamiento to remove a tree from your own garden?

Kimmy11

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:19pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:19pm

craig245t wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:54pm:

Do you need permission from the ayuntamiento to remove a tree from your own garden?

Hi Craig,

We didn't need permission to remove the trees, only for the terraces we built where we had cleared the land, although it may vary from one town hall to another. 

In the first instance, I would check with your community president or administrator.  The tree appears to be on your land, so it would be easy to assume it's up to you, but communities can write all sorts of things into their rules, if the owners agree to them, so probably best to check first - especially if there's any risk of damage to the surrounding hard landscaping.

Kind regards,

Kim

craig245t

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:25pm

craig245t

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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:25pm

Thanks to you both for your help. We'll give it some thought and check our insurance.

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