Root Growth Beneath Sidewalks Near Trees of Four Genera    (View PDF)

Nicholas E. D'Amato, T. Davis Sydnor, Robin Hunt, and Bert Bishop

Abstract: Four genera of trees from four different plant families located in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., were examined: Gleditsia (honeylocust), Koelreuteria (goldenraintree), Quercus (oak), and Zelkova (zelkova). The trees were planted in tree lawns 3.5 m (11.5 ft) or less in tree lawn width. Approximately 1,100 sidewalk joints near the trees planted within the last 20 years were observed for the presence of a root. The incidence of one or more roots, 1cm (3/8 in.) in diameter or larger growing under the sidewalk at sidewalk joints within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the main stem was noted.

Keywords: Gleditsia; Koelreuteria; Quercus; Zelkova; root growth; tree lawn; trunk diameter; sidewalk damage.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2002.042