How Far Do Crepe Myrtle Roots Spread? [And How Deep]

Crepe Vinca minor trees are beautiful plants with colorful , soft flowers . But if you ’re considering adding them to your landscape gardening , you may have some questions first . For example , how far do crepe myrtle root circularize , and how deeply do they go ? We ’ve checked with tree surgeon for everything you need to screw about this eye - catching vegetation .

Crepe Vinca minor roots can spread out over a wide area . They may breed two or three sentence further than the tree ’s diameter . However , the origin system is rather shallow . It is not invasive and , as a outcome , not prone to causing much damage .

Keep reading , and we ’ll explain more about how French pancake myrtle roots spread . We ’ll give you some tip for picking a location for your tree . We ’ll let you get laid what you do n’t want near your tree diagram and what the ascendent system means for nearby houses , tube , sidewalks , and more . Further , we ’ll discuss how the French pancake myrtle solution can be challenge and how to handle or preclude pesky growths like shoots and suckers .

How Far Do Crepe Myrtle Roots Spread?

Crepe myrtle has an extensive mesh of roots . These roots can spread two or three multiplication further than the canopy or surface area of the tree .

As a resultant , you wo n’t desire to place other plants or grass too tight by . They ’ll be forced to contend for water and other nutrient . These origin organisation tend to push out neighbour , and your other plants may not thrive .

Not trusted how big your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will get ? ReadHow Big Does A Crepe Myrtle Get ?

How Deep Are Crepe Myrtle Roots?

The roots of crepe Vinca minor trees have a tolerant reach . However , they are n’t peculiarly deep . Therootsystem is shallow and fibrous , primarily growing near the surface .

Do Crepe Myrtles Have Invasive Roots?

Crepe Vinca minor source are shallow and active , but they are not invasive . The roots are unlikely to make problems for concrete or trouble sidewalks or driveways .

There ’s also petty concern about the seeds being invasive or ask over your yard . Some tree multiply readily from seeds , which would stupefy a problem . However , this is mostly unfounded .

Most of the democratic French pancake Vinca minor trees are hybrid . This means that most cultivar are unable to procreate by seed . While certain type may be considered potentially invasive , this does n’t apply to the majority of crepe myrtle plants .

How Close Can A Crepe Myrtle Be Planted To A House?

Most crape myrtles grow around 15 - 25 base tall and 6 - 15 feetwide . This variegate some between cultivars . Some trees maturate as tall as 40 foot .

The roots posture no tangible threat to your home ’s foundation . But it ’s still important to leave adequate room for the flora to farm to its full size . The standard good word is to establish 8 - 10 invertebrate foot off from walls .

leave some distance can also help foreclose nuisance problems . For example , crepe myrtles propose beautiful flowers . But too close to the firm , and you may witness those flowers plugging up your gutters .

In addition , crepe paper Vinca minor does good in full sun . As a resultant , engraft too close to the house may filter too much sunshine . Be indisputable to pick your location carefully , with this in thinker .

For more lead on sun needs , readHow Much Sun Does A Crepe Myrtle Need ?

Can Crepe Myrtle Roots Damage Pipes?

Because of their non - invasive nature , crape myrtle roots are one of the better choices as a " sewerage - well-disposed " industrial plant . While any root can potentially clog already damage sewer product line , crepe myrtles are unlikely to do much damage .

A good word by Orange County Sanitation District heel crepe paper myrtles as one of thebetteroptions . The roots are shallow and fibrous , generally ineffective to overpower nearby pipe .

Want to learn about some other non - invasive trees you may delight ? Try " 15 Fruit Trees With Non - Invasive Roots "

How Do You Get Rid Of Crepe Myrtle Roots?

If you ’ve rationalise down your crepe Vinca minor , you may find that the ascendent system is somewhat zombie - like . It ’s tough to kill , as sucker keep popping back up in an attempt to revive the plant .

But have no concern , as you’re able to still kiss this tree goodbye [ evermore ! ] The two options available are remove the tooth root or killing them with weedkiller .

Manual Removal

While removing the roots manually is possible , this can be a problematic attack . The ascendent are shallow , so you wo n’t have to dig very far .

However , it can be rugged to know when you ’ve make them all . And do n’t forget that the roots may spread as much as three multiplication wider than the tree ’s surface area or branches .

When any roots are allow for behind , they ’ll preserve to grow . This means that it may take several endeavor to grasp up the entire system successfully . And you may dig the same area more than once , having to withdraw new root if you did n’t get it all the first time .

Also , be sure to chuck out of the roots properly . Do not compost them or let them put in the K , as they may re - embed themselves .

Using Herbicide

Because manual removal can be cunning , many people elect to use weedkiller instead . Spray a phenoxy herbicide at once on the leave of absence of the sucker . This can kill the theme while still nullify harm to the nearby grass .

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Tordon is another efficacious herbicide . It is applied directly to the freshly cut stump . It then enter the tree ’s beginning system , which prevents new growth .

Click here to see Tordon on Amazon .

you’re able to also try a industrial plant growth regulator . Some model are Sucker Stopper or Sucker Punch .

Click here to see Sucker Punch on Amazon .

Always be certain the follow the manufacturer ’s instruction and right safety guidelines . When pervert , the product may be ineffectual or even hazardous .

How To Prevent Crepe Myrtle Suckers

What if you do n’t want to kill your crepe Vinca minor tree ? Perhaps you love having it as part of your landscape . But you do n’t give care for the ring of suckers that always seems to be encircling the tree diagram .

Unfortunately , there ’s no fashion to discontinue the suckers altogether . They ’re a lifelike part of the etymon organization and will proceed to co - exist with the tree . But with careful culture , you’re able to keep them tame .

In Conclusion

While crape myrtle Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have a far - reaching meshwork of beginning , they do n’t pose many business organization . The base are shallow and non - invasive , so they do n’t create many problems . They wo n’t interfere with nearby pipes , damage your household ’s foundation , or breakthrough sidewalks , driveways , or concrete .

However , the roots can take urine or nutrients out from nearby plants or grasses . Be certain to give your crepe Vinca minor adequate space to grow and thrive without make other plants compete with the enceinte and developed root system . Further , the roots do tend to fork out with suckers . Keep the plant healthy and trim to minimize the growth and absolute frequency of these shoot .

As long as the plant is given room to develop to its full size without any preventive , there ’s no reason to expect any problems . Some basic criminal maintenance is all that ’s required for a healthy tree . Once you ’ve picked the right-hand location , you’re able to savour your beautiful crepe Vinca minor efflorescence for a long prison term with minuscule hassle .