Wow, that sounds very interesting. I have silver maples too and I know exactly the battle you have. They're everywhere and huge! Can you explain this bamboo barrier to me?

I had no idea that maple trees did that! We have no maple trees here . . .

We DO see (sometimes) big stands of bamboo and also Arundo donax, and both are horribly invasive. I know they sell root barriers for that, but not how they would relate to your problem.

But as to the roots of a New Dawn, I believe that a lot would depend upon whether the rose is on its own roots, or budded -- and if budded, budded to which rootstock, as each would behave differently.

Jeri

seil, the barrier I've used is made by Deep Root. It is a 24" rhizome barrier placed in trenches surrounding the beds. It has done well at keeping most of the roots of the silver maples out, which tend to grow in the top 18" of soil. It is not foolproof though so I still have to turn over some soil each spring and remove roots that have grown under the barrier. This is much preferred though to my experience the first year of the garden when the trees choked the life out of the beds. As I've learned, silver maples are very aggressive at spreading roots, but their canopy is wonderful.

jerijen, my understanding is the New Dawn rose I would order is own root. I'm new to the world of roses, does this mean it stands a fairer chance of surviving unprotected? Honestly, I'm inclined to use the barrier, but I'm not sure how large in diameter to place the barrier in order to enable the rose to grow to its full potential.

Beats me, GE -- I don't have enough experience with New Dawn, which is not a good SoCal rose. I know how wonderful it is, elsewhere, but it does not like our eternal summer.

You need someone with experience in a climate closer to your own. But you've caught my imagination. I'm curious!

Jeri

I'll start by saying that I don't know (and have never researched) the difference between a Silver Maple or any other maple tree......but I've mentioned on here before that they are the bane of my existence. There are 7 planted 2 feet outside our back fence line. Nothing I can do about them. Their root systems are far reaching and have buckled my son's basketball court and messed with the footings of our shed.

If this stuff works, does it work for all maples? I'd never heard of it until reading this post. If we could find a way to stop the root encroachment into our yard, we'd gain back tons of space for vegetable gardening and other uses.

flaurabunda, the barrier has worked for me. The first year we moved into our house I added several flower beds. By the time fall arrived the trees had completely consumed and choked the plants in the bed. The trees have a knack of finding moisture so the watering of the beds acted as a magnet for the tree's roots. I ended up loosing a 1/3 of the plants planted and it caused me to do some serious research about how to cope with/control the problem. (obviously, this is my problem, not the tree's!)

I will caution that it is not easy to install the barrier because depending on the size of the barrier you choose you have to dig at least a 24" trench for installation. I'm also not an expert on tree root growth, but I would also caution against attempting to restrict the tree's roots too close to the trunk as this could cause serious and long-term damage to the tree.

Here is a link to the product I've used:
http://www.deeproot.com/products/geomembranes/applications/bamboo-barrier.html

Well it appears my question has been refined during this discussion, so I will rephrase it!

Can someone please give some insight into the growth behavior of New Dawn on own root? How large in diameter do the roots spread? How deep will the roots tunnel?

I would give it like 6' in diameter if you want long term success. Rose roots in general can't compete with anything. Even some Salvias will triumph over rose roots.

Thank you, hoovb!

I can tell you a bit about my own New Dawn that is own root. It does not send out suckers, but maintain a group of very large canes. The part of New Dawn that wanders out for me is the top and the branches. They eventually have brought shade to an area 5 foot by 8 foot, and she has only been growing 5 years.

I poster her picture about a week ago. Don't know if this is quite what you are asking or not.

I noted you are zone 7b and I am zone 8, but more importantly, I am zone 8 in central Alabama. You would need to know how she did in your particular area, I would think.
kay

In reference to the root barriers, I have found the best are polyethylene, they are much more durable, flexible, and they don't crack. Compared to polypropolene which is a cheap plastic that breaks very easily. I was told of a company called Century Products from a friend who supplies these particular barriers. I also liked how the panels connected to each other in a zipper-like fashion so minor roots could not grow in between. Definitely something to look into if you haven't already solved your problem. Hope everything works out!

In our yard, 20 ft is adequate separation from a small 40 ft maple for New Dawn to perform well on a chain link fence. At 10 ft separation, New Dawn hardly gains in size, even after a few years. I gave away one of the poorly performing New Dawns to a co-worker--he says he was surprised how easy it was to grow. A rose that does seem to grow vigorously right next to a vigorous maple is American Pillar--even though ours had serious mildew issue this year.