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Beech tree near leach field

karen_schaeffer

17 years ago

Two years ago we unknowingly planted a 12' rivers purple beech tree about 2-3' from the end of our leach field. Should we be overly concerned with the roots invading the leach field? The leach field is only two years old. Any suggestions on what is the best way to handle potential problems?

Moving this tree is not an easy feat. The root ball was massive and extremely heavy. If moving the tree is the only option, it would require us to hire someone with heavy machinery to move it.

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Comments (9)

karen_schaeffer
Original Author
17 years ago
UPDATE: The tree is actually about 4-5' from end of leach field.
water_daddy
17 years ago
The native beech trees here in VA have shallow root systems. I'd want it removed.
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IF you are willing to shell out the hefty expense that could be needed to repair the septic system and IF you are willing to treat religiously with the copper sulphate, then go ahead and leave the trees in place. But I think you are just asking for trouble. Root barriers are a possible short term solution - they will only delay the inevitable and can just as easily negatively impact the health of the trees if needed to be installed too close to the trunk or current root ball. There are very good reasons why it is advised to plant trees well away from septic systems - it just creates very costly problems that can impact not ony your plumbing, but a well if you have one and groundwater. Tree roots spread out a great distance, some much further than others -- a good rule of thumb is 2-3 times the mature spread of the tree. And several of those you have planted are considered no-no's within a 100' of a septic system. But it's your choice.......:-) Does this Copper Fungicide CuSO4 stuff come with a full repair your septic tank for xxx year guarantee or do it's seller's have no faith in the product? New cars come with warranties. That's one of the sillier questions/statements I've seen in awhile! Copper sulphate is a chemical with a host of different usages - it was not invented or intended specifically to "cure" root problems with septic systems but has found to be moderately effective in doing so. But when you are dealing with living organisms (trees) there are NO guarantees about anything -- these are not new cars. The only 'guarantee' you can expect to realize when it comes to dealing with tree roots potentially damaging a septic system is to NOT plant them anywhere close.
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what is your soil... and what does your septic expert say???? would they be more informed than a tree expert???? if you were to tell me that you have 3 inches of soil.. atop bedrock... it might make a difference i really have no idea what the answer is ... playing the advocate here .... but the guys who dig fields.. would surely know more.. than the guy who plants trees .... since most of us tree guys .... never see the roots the diggers will see ... ken
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bengz6westmd
17 years ago
What end of the leach field? If it's the far end away from the septic tank itself, it may not be a problem for a long time. The majority of the outflow water drains into the soil at the tank end. And a dose of copper sulfate into the tank every couple yrs should kill invading roots.

Where I lived in VA the leach field was bordered on all sides by the surrounding oak forest. There was never a problem there in ~25 yrs.
karen_schaeffer
Original Author
17 years ago
The beech is about 35-40' from the septic tank. It is located 6' from the end of the 90' distribution pipes.
bengz6westmd
17 years ago
Keep in mind it's possible any septic field will eventually have to be dug up/replaced. Because of that, I won't plant anything permanent on a field itself -- even shrubs. But I have planted trees as close as ~6' from the side of the field down near the far end.

JMO, but I wouldn't worry about the beech. Douse the septic system w/copper sulfate if you're ever worried later on.
ziggy___
17 years ago
What type of leach field??? I assume it is not a sand mound. If it is a sand mound, or similar type, the roots will most likely grow under the distribution pipes.
If properly designed and installed, the drainage should be fairly even throughout the leach field.
Copper sulfate can also kill the microbes that break down the sewage. The microbes will come back when the copper sulfate level goes down enough. This can cause problems too.

Ziggy
karen_schaeffer
Original Author
17 years ago
It's an absorption field, not a sand mound.

If we used copper sulfate, I definitely would have concerns about it killing the microbes. If we added Rid-X (or similar product) would that help or would it just be "killed" by the copper sulfate as well?
bengz6westmd
17 years ago
Karen, you'd just add the copper sulfate, let it flush thru & do its work for a week or so, then add Rid-X to restore the usual microbes. That's it.
water_daddy
17 years ago
Planting trees with shallow aggressive roots near a leach field is asking for problems. (note oaks have deep tap roots, beech will spread shallow). Dosing your wastewater system with chemicals simply to keep these undesirable plants at bay is not a good idea. Copper sulfate may kill both the bugs and the tree. You should keep some distance regardless of the type of tree.

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