Lemon trees generally grow big and strong. So, we often think that lemon trees might have invasive roots. If you are fond of lemons, you might want to plant a lemon tree near your house. But invasive plants can damage the structure and wall of your house.
So, you might be confused about whether lemon tree roots are invasive or not. Well, you might also be interested to know about the lemon tree root system. You must know about the invasiveness to protect your house’s structure and pipelines.
Moreover, knowing about the process of growing this plant near your house is important. So, let’s see details about it.
Lemon tree root system explained
Lemon tree roots are not invasive. Lemon tree root system is shallow and can grow 16 to 36 inches deep. But situations can make this tree like invasive roots. For example, if the plant has a water source or pipeline near it, roots will reach the pipeline and damage it to get water.
While planting a lemon tree near your house, you must ensure the pipelines are not near the plant.
Generally, lemon tree roots are not invasive. But if the plant wants water, the roots can go deeper. Even sometimes, the roots can damage pipelines when they need water.
However, lemon trees can be of different types. For example, two of the examples are dwarf lemon tree and eureka lemon tree.
These lemon trees have different characteristics. So, you have to know about their root system. So, let’s see whether these lemon tree roots are invasive or not.
Dwarf lemon tree:
Dwarf lemon tree roots are not invasive. Generally, dwarf lemon trees are smaller than regular ones. For example, regular lemon trees can grow 20 to 30 feet. But dwarf lemon trees grow up to 10 feet.
So, dwarf lemon trees also have small roots. Dwarf lemon trees can also be semi-dwarf types. If you plant a regular lemon tree around a wall or pipeline of your house, the roots might go deep in the ground.
Moreover, the roots might damage the wall or pipeline in search of water. Though the roots are not invasive always, they can damage constructions in a difficult situation.
So, if you are planning to grow lemon trees around your house, you can plant dwarf lemon trees.
These types of lemon trees will not spread their roots too deep in the ground. Moreover, this type of lemon tree is also suitable to plant in a pot inside your house. So, dwarf lemon trees are convenient in every way.
You might know that lemon tree roots are shallow. So, they are not that much damaging. But if you want to keep your foundation or pipelines safe, you can plant dwarf lemon trees.
Eureka lemon tree:
Eureka lemon tree is a special type of lemon tree. Generally, the Eureka lemon tree is a medium size evergreen lemon tree. This type of lemon tree grows fruit quicker than the normal one. Moreover, the tree can grow up to 20 feet.
But Eureka lemon tree roots are not invasive. The root system of the Eureka lemon tree is pretty shallow. So, this root system will not damage foundations. Like the regular ones, Eureka lemon tree roots can go deeper if any water source is near.
For example, if you plant the Eureka lemon tree beside a pipeline, the plant can damage the pipeline in search of water. Otherwise, this lemon tree will not damage any structures.
Moreover, the Eureka lemon tree is suitable to plant inside the pot also. So, if you fear that this tree can damage the foundation, you can plant the tree inside the pot. So, you can also plant a Eureka lemon tree if you want to plant a lemon tree inside a pot.
Does Lemon tree have deep roots?
Generally, lemon tree roots are not that deep. The root system of the lemon tree is also pretty shallow. Lemon tree roots can grow from 16 to 36 inches deep inside the soil. This depth is not that long.
While planting a lemon tree around your house, you must know about the root system of this plant. Because lemon trees are pretty big and strong. So, you might think that lemon tree roots are deep and invasive.
But lemon tree roots are not invasive. If you plant a lemon tree around your house, this might not damage the foundation. But lemon trees can grow deep into the soil in situations. For example, lemon tree roots can grow deep in search of water.
So, if you plant a lemon tree near the pipeline, the roots can go near the pipeline and damage the pipeline. That’s why planting the lemon tree away from the pipeline is necessary.
However, lemon tree roots’ growth can be controlled. You can also plant the lemon tree inside a pot.
Moreover, you can use root barriers so that the roots can’t go too deep. Besides, you can grow lemon trees in raised garden beds. This will keep the roots shallow and short.
How Deep Are Lemon tree Roots?
Lemon tree roots are generally 16 to 36 inches deep. So, lemon tree roots will not grow more than 3 feet in depth. How deep the roots will grow also depends on various things.
For example, if you plant the lemon tree near a water source, the roots will grow towards the source.
So, the roots can grow up to three feet toward the water source. If you plant the lemon tree near a pipeline, the roots will grow towards the pipeline and damage the pipeline gradually.
But if the lemon tree roots don’t find any water source near, the roots will not grow too deep. That’s why lemon tree roots are not called invasive. Lemon tree roots are also pretty shallow. The roots will grow according to the situation.
Many people want to grow lemon trees around and don’t want to damage the foundations. So, they grow lemon trees 6 feet away from pipelines and foundations. Moreover, you can try to grow lemon trees in raised garden beds.
Besides, lemon trees are also suitable to plant inside a pot. You can grow this tree inside the plants if you don’t want to damage any structure.
Can Lemon tree roots damage the foundation or pipes?
Yes, lemon tree roots can damage foundation or pipes in need. But the roots are not invasive always.
For example, lemon tree roots can grow 2 to 3 feet deep inside the soil. This depth will not cause any harm to the foundation. But if the lemon tree roots need water and they find a water pipeline, these roots can become invasive.
So, lemon tree roots are invasive in critical situations. Many people try to plant different types of lemon trees so that they can’t be invasive. For example, dwarf lemon trees are small in size. So, the roots of these trees will also be small and less deep.
So, if you plant dwarf lemon trees around the foundation or pipes, the roots will not damage these pipes. Moreover, people also plant lemon trees inside pots to prevent damage. So, lemon trees are also suitable to plant in a pot.
Besides, people use root barriers to keep the root depth small. Generally, lemon tree roots are shallow.
So, root barriers can work effectively with shallow roots. Moreover, you can try to plant lemon trees in raised garden beds so that their roots can’t damage the foundation or pipes.
Do Lemon tree spread or multiply?
Yes, the lemon tree can spread and multiply. You can propagate lemon trees following different methods. For example, the lemon tree can be multiplied by planting seeds. Moreover, lemon trees can also multiply by cutting.
For spreading lemon tree from cutting, you need to take a cutting of 6 inches with no flower or fruit. The cutting must have two or three nodes. Leaves emerge along the stem in these nodes. Moreover, you need to choose a healthy cutting.
Lemon trees are also self-pollinating. Moreover, lemon trees can be propagated from budding or grafting. These grafted trees are suitable for growing inside a pot. So, you can multiply lemon trees by cutting or grafting.
So, lemon trees can multiply in these ways. If you want to plant a lemon tree, you can follow the cutting or grafting method.
Final Thoughts
Lemon tree roots are shallow. But the roots can be 2 to 3 feet deep. Lemon tree roots are not considered invasive. But sometimes, the roots can damage pipelines if the roots require water. So, it is recommended to plant lemon trees at least 6 feet away from pipelines.