Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

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tc101
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Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by tc101 »

How close can I come to a big old oak and a big old poplar tree with a septic drain field trench, and probably not kill the tree?
. | The most important thing you should know about me is that I am not an expert.
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windaar
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Re: Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by windaar »

Not an expert, but I can share with you that my field was dug about 10 to 15 feet from the base of 2 older oak trees about a decade ago and the trees have been fine.
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Gill
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Re: Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by Gill »

Isn't the reverse problem that the tree roots will spread into the drain field and cause problems there?
Gill
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hicabob
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Re: Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by hicabob »

Comcast dug a large hole for a new pole about 15 feet from the base of an old oak of mine and it was dead a few months later. I think it depends where the roots go. One thing to consider is if some of the roots get cut the tree will be less stable in high winds.
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tc101
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Re: Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by tc101 »

Isn't the reverse problem that the tree roots will spread into the drain field and cause problems there?
I know that used to be a problem, but I don't think it is now with these new drain fields with the infiltrator chambers.

http://www.smaller-homes.com/septic-drain-fields.html
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DiscoBunny1979
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Re: Saving a tree when installing a septic drain field

Post by DiscoBunny1979 »

When I chopped down my 30 year old olive tree, and when it died, my septic backed up. Not saying that it was proved beyond a reasonable doubt that that's why my septic backed up, but it is ironic. I would not put leach lines or sewage pits near any trees that have long extending root systems that search for water.
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