Fig tree roots guide

Fig tree roots guide

Fig is perhaps recognized as the oldest cultivated fruit in the world and is recognized to live longer 200 years. The fig tree is endemic to Mediterranean and south west Asia region and grows in the form of small trees and tall shrubs reaching a height of 10m along with robust and twisting branches extension. Fig tree survives more specifically in moderate humidity and higher altitudes in a chilled environment with low rainfall.

Fig tree roots guide

The fig tree is basically grown for the underlying purpose of shade and embellishment while its fruit is a rich source of minerals and vitamins and is used in confections as well as beverages and fig leaves serve as a herb fed for grazing animals. Fig tree roots damage and dislodge the native plants and choke them by forming thick clusters around.

Moreover, livestock owners also face difficulties due to deep root invasions as grazing animals find mature fig tree too tantalizing to eat. Invasive fig tree roots limit the litter ( fallen leaves fragments) from the ground surface area resulting in abandoned and bare soil. Aquatic animals are at a high risk of drastic water loss due to more evapotranspiration of fig tree roots as compared to other herbaceous plant species, causing soil erosion. 

How deep are fig tree roots?

Fig trees possess shallow fibrous root system which later on provides anchorage and nutrition to the fig tree trunk. But regrettably, fig roots are highly invasive and extend beyond the limitations and covering of a tree laterally and vertically and trough the concrete in this way. Fig tree roots near house are robust enough to destroy the water infrastructure i.e, pipelines and foundations of house owners by growing and prevailing the roots beneath the soil and lifting the infrastructure upward. Fig tree roots are shallow in depth

How to get rid of fig tree roots

To get rid of fig tree roots, contact a tree surgeon, or try killing the fig roots and using various herbicides for controlling their growth. Fig trees may also be planted in pots to keep the growth of roots structured and non-invasive. More effective and modernized way of controlling fig tree roots is to construct root barrier system between tree and cement so that roots can be guided away from infrastructure and cracking and lifting can be prevented. Root barriers are available in various sizes and shapes and are synthesized with recycled polymers.

Fig tree roots guide

High density vertical ribs root barriers are available in the various depths to cope with different situations and are specialized at carrying the fig tree roots away from infrastructure. Moreover, linear root barriers possess enriched thickened walls to protect infrastructure from root invasion. Vertical ribs can be modified and embellished with promising features such as tapered sides to prevent fig root damages towards infrastructure. Root barriers can also be used in combination with irrigation canals. Concerns regarding the installment of these root barriers are important to acknowledge as the success of the alleviating fig root disasters is highly dependent on the simplicity and selectivity of these root barriers.

image 1: Max Mossler; image 2: Wikimedia Commons; image 3: Gary Leavens