root envasion into planter box - Ask Extension
My planter boxes seem to have root invasion, possibly from neighbor's maple tree growing 4--6 feet from our common fence. The roots are thick with a ...
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root envasion into planter box #923892
Asked January 23, 2026, 3:04 PM EST
My planter boxes seem to have root invasion, possibly from neighbor's maple tree growing 4--6 feet from our common fence. The roots are thick with a spiderweb like consistancy, protruding from an occasional small but larger root. These web like roots have completely taken over my garden planter boxes which are 8 ft long, 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Any suggestions on how to address these unwanted invaiders?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, William. There is no simple, permanent solution for this "invasion" short of removing the boxes, relocating them to a spot far enough from the roots that it won't recur, and lining the bottom of the boxes with something that will block them. That said, you don't want to eliminate drainage, lest you get an even worse invader: fungal growth.
Another expert responded to a similar inquiry a few years ago, and has a somewhat different solution. https://www.oregonlive.com/hg/2021/09/despite-gardeners-careful-work-tree-roots-rob-water-from-the-soil-ask-an-expert.html
Hopefully, one or both of these approaches will solve the problem. Good luck!
Another expert responded to a similar inquiry a few years ago, and has a somewhat different solution. https://www.oregonlive.com/hg/2021/09/despite-gardeners-careful-work-tree-roots-rob-water-from-the-soil-ask-an-expert.html
Hopefully, one or both of these approaches will solve the problem. Good luck!
