Yew Shrub Roots - Ask Extension
Hello, how deep can the roots of a yew shrub grow? How many feet? I have some roots growing into my main sewer line, but I am unsure what is actually ...
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Yew Shrub Roots #392632
Asked April 08, 2017, 8:02 PM EDT
Hello, how deep can the roots of a yew shrub grow? How many feet? I have some roots growing into my main sewer line, but I am unsure what is actually growing into it.
Albany County New York
Expert Response
Hello,
Yew trees can have extensive root systems (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00783.x/full) but they typically spread outwards instead of downwards. Yews are not known to be the "biggest drinkers" in terms of common residential trees. Are there any other trees in the vicinity? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/3306904/How-to-get-to-the-root-of-the-problem.ht...)
Willows in particular can often invade water pipes even if the tree is planted a fair distance from the house.
Yew trees can have extensive root systems (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00783.x/full) but they typically spread outwards instead of downwards. Yews are not known to be the "biggest drinkers" in terms of common residential trees. Are there any other trees in the vicinity? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/3306904/How-to-get-to-the-root-of-the-problem.ht...)
Willows in particular can often invade water pipes even if the tree is planted a fair distance from the house.
Thank you so much for the response. No there are currently no other trees in the vicinity. There was a large tree, it was next to the telephone pole seen in the picture above. Now I am wondering if the roots in the main sewer line were from that tree. The tree seems to have been removed at some point, but I am not sure when that happened. Your response was very helpful. I appreciate it.
