The scientific name of Ash tree is Fraxinus tree. The family that ash tree belongs to is known by the name oleaceae. Ash tree is an interesting breed of flowering plant and have a mysterious root system that needs to be discussed in detail.
Today, we are going to shed a light on the root system of ash tree and find out the nature of its root system.
Ash tree Root System Explained
The root system of ash tree can be described as invasive in nature. Sometimes, the invasiveness of ash tree roots can cause damage to the foundation and pipes of the house. Ash tree roots can also spread very far due to its invasiveness. Additionally, Ash trees possess deep roots.
There are many varieties of ash tree available throughout the world. The root system of these ash trees can differ from each other in more than one way. Let’s discuss in detail about some of the varieties of ash tree and look at their root system.
Evergreen ash tree:
Evergreen ash tree is mostly known for being a beautiful flower plant. It can increase the beauty of your garden with its oval shaped green leaves.
As for the root system of evergreen ash tree, it is known for possessing very invasive roots that require containment.
Blueberry ash tree:
Most varieties of ash tree are known for having an invasive root system. But the blueberry ash tree is an exception in this case.
They are one of the rare ash trees that do not possess invasive roots. That is why gardening experts recommend growing this variety in your garden.
Arizona ash tree:
The problem with planting the Arizona ash tree is that they do not have deep enough roots.
On top of that, it has an invasive root system that can cause difficulties to the structures around it. But one of the benefits of growing Arizona ash tree in the garden is their fast growth rate.
Cape ash tree:
According to gardening experts, cape ash tree does not possess invasive root system. It is a safe plant to be planted near foundations and houses. The non invasive nature of cape ash tree is found very rarely in the varieties of ash tree.
Mountain ash tree:
The Mountain ash tree is famous for having deep and strong roots. However, the root system of mountain ash tree is not invasive in nature. It makes them a good choice for flowering plant in the garden.
Modesto ash tree:
The root system of modesto ash tree belongs to the category of ash trees that is invasive in nature.
Their strong and invasive roots can potentially damage the foundation of your house. It is not safe to plant the Modesto ash tree near a sidewalk.
Bonita ash tree:
The Bonita ash tree is another variety of ash trees that possess invasive root system. Their invasiveness can cause problems for the other plants of your garden. Because the Bonita ash tree has strong enough roots to override the other plants.
Green ash tree:
The roots of green ash tree are not deep enough. Additionally, the root system of the green ash tree is invasive in nature. So it is very normal to see green ash tree causing damage to the house’s foundation with its invasive and strong roots.
Desert ash tree:
Desert ash tree is not a widely known variety of ash trees. However, it possesses the common feature of an ash tree and that particular feature is invasive root system.
Does Ash tree have deep roots?
Most varieties of ash trees are famous for possessing incredible deep roots. Having deep roots helps the growth rate of ash trees.
The ash trees can reach the ground water easily with its deep and invasive roots. This fastens their development process greatly.
The ash tree varieties that do not possess deep roots can cause problems to the foundation of your home, yard, and sidewalk. The invasiveness of the Ash trees become a real problem when their roots do not get too far into the ground.
So if you care about the foundation of your home and the other plants of the garden, then you will need to grow an ash tree with deep roots.
How deep are Ash tree roots?
It has been established till now that ash tree has deep roots. But there are also divisions when it comes to categorizing deep root system. There are high, medium, and low deep root system.
Most varieties of ash tree belong to the category of medium deep root system. In this category, the roots of the tree mostly reach one to one and a half meter into the soil. The deep roots of the ash tree enable it to fetch ground water for its optimum growth.
Having a deep root system is considered as an advantage when it comes to flowering plants. The roots of Ash tree are deep enough to make it a good flowering plant.
Are Ash tree roots invasive?
According to gardening experts, the roots of ash trees are categorized as an invasive root system. There are a lot of valid reasons behind it. First of all, the roots of the Ash tree have a fast spreading rate.
The invasive roots of ash tree can obstacles for the growth of other plants in the garden.
But the most dangerous version of ash tree root system is the shallow roots with invasive nature. Ash trees that are blessed with deep roots are perfect for a flower garden.
What kind of root system does an ash tree have?
The root system of ash tree can not be described in short. Let’s discuss in detail about the kind of root system an ash tree has.
Invasive:
The first word that can be used to describe the root system of an ash tree is invasive. The root system of the ash tree is very invasive by nature. Their invasiveness sometimes can do more harm than good.
Deep:
The root system of an ash tree can also be described by the word deep. The deep roots of the ash tree help it to gather ground water for its growth. The roots of the ash tree can go as deep as one and a half meter into the ground.
Wide:
The root system of the ash tree is known for spreading as far as thirty feet. This just proves the wideness of the ash tree’s root system and its spread.
Fast growing:
What contributes to the invasiveness of the ash tree’s root system is its tendency to grow at a fast rate.
If the root system of the ash tree did not possess a fast growth rate, then the invasiveness, deepness, and wideness of the root system would not have been possible.
How far do ash tree roots spread?
It is believed by gardening experts that the roots of ash tree can spread very far. The reason behind this is the invasive root system of ash tree.
It has been noticed that the invasive roots of ash tree can spread as far as thirty feet if the roots get enough water and nutrition.
In fact, the roots of ash tree start spreading in search of food nutrients and water. The fast growing rate of ash tree also contributes to the spreading nature of the roots.
However, other plants of the garden can get damaged by the invasive roots of ash tree if the roots are not kept in check.
Can Ash tree roots damage foundation or pipes?
The ash tree roots can damage the foundation and the pipes of your house because of its invasiveness. The ash trees with swallow and invasive roots are the ones that can cause maximum amount of damage to foundation or pipes.
The ash trees often produce strong roots that are also invasive in nature. The invasiveness coupled with the strong nature of the roots can potentially damage the foundation and pipes of the home.
But the ash tree roots are more likely to damage the pipes than the foundation.
Does Ash tree spread or multiply?
Ash trees do not start spreading or multiplying immediately after plantation. They take decent amount of time before they can begin spreading or multiplying.
According to some gardening experts, an Ash tree can take as much as thirty years before the spreading or multiplying process.
If you are thinking about planting an ash tree in your garden, then you should not expect too much from it in terms of spreading or multiplying. The ash tree is not known for its spreading or multiplying ability.
Final Thoughts
Ash trees are mostly known for having an invasive root system. The invasiveness of ash tree roots help it collect required food nutrients and water. But the other plants of the garden can get damaged by the invasive roots of ash trees. Ash tree has to be planted in the garden by maintaining a gap.