Knowledgebase
Copper nails in tree root #769978
Asked August 30, 2021, 11:48 PM EDT
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Michelle,
There is a myth that nails would provide iron to trees as they rust, but this is a myth and is not a recommended practice.
While the ideal situation would not be to have the nails in the roots, I think you could do more harm removing them at this point. Plus, if you pull them out, you open up the root for insects or disease. So I would just leave them. Keep the tree healthy with proper watering.
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"The great enemy of freedom is the alignment of political power with wealth. This alignment destroys the commonwealth - that is, the natural wealth of localities and the local economies of household, neighborhood, and community - and so destroys democracy, of which the commonwealth is the foundation and practical means.” Wendell Berry
Thanks for the advice. I’m afraid we’ve already pulled out the nails (on the advice we received a few days ago). The area is about 6 or 8 inches long, and about 3 inches wide (that’s what is exposed above the lawn). Is there anything that we should do (or rather request because this is in the next door neighbor’s yard) given that we’ve already pulled out the nails?
Would it make sense to cover the root with soil and maybe try to encourage the sod to recover it? (And all this is contingent on the approval of the neighbors.)
Michelle Haefele
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Monday, September 6, 2021 12:27 PM
To: Michelle Haefele <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Copper nails in tree root (#0039909)
Hi Michelle,
Since this is in your neighbor's yard, your neighbor should be the one contacting us for assistance.
No, do not cover with soil or sod; if you want to cover the roots to protect them from further harm or damage, use wood mulch.
Thanks. It’s our tree, the root extends into the neighbor’s yard.
Our prior neighbor had said he wanted us to cut the tree down-we refused (he’s the one who put the nails in, apparently thinking it would kill our tree).
The new neighbors are willing to let us do what is necessary to protect the tree (within reason), but we are the ones who will be doing it.
That said, this small section of exposed root is in the lawn. Putting wood mulch on it wouldn’t be practical (it would interfere with mowing at the very least, and would likely just get knocked off). Is there some kind of treatment that could be applied to make sure the holes don’t become conduits for disease?
Michelle Haefele
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 7:49 AM
To: Michelle Haefele <<personal data hidden>>
Cc: Michelle Haefele <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Copper nails in tree root (#0039909)
Hi again,
No, just let the wounds seal over naturally. Avoid additional damage to the roots as best you can.
