If you’re planning on growing a lilac tree in your yard, you need to know how deep lilac roots grow. These plants develop roots that are 1.5 times the length of the shrub’s branches. For example, if a lilac tree grows to 10 feet wide, the rootball will be 15 feet long. This is not an invasive plant, but it will require more water during dry weather than during wet weather.
Because their roots are so shallow, you should avoid placing a lilac near your foundation if you want to prevent foundation damage. This shrub will grow about a foot from the ground. It will have roots that extend 15 feet in all directions. This is not the case with other trees and shrubs. Because of its deep roots, it can only reach a shallow foundation without damaging your home’s foundation. However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the tree’s beauty.
Since lilac roots follow the source of nutrients, they are unlikely to penetrate sound pipes. That means that if a lilac tree is planted at least eight feet from a water line, it will have no problem. However, if you place it closer, you will run the risk of the shrub damaging a water or sewer line. To avoid damage to your pipes, make sure you plant your lilac bushes 8 to 10 feet away from these pipes.
In addition to the size of their roots, lilac trees are also large enough to be a focal point in your yard. For example, a tree with one-half inch diameter can reach twenty-two feet wide. It can grow to 30 feet, and its roots are deep and wide. They require six to eight hours of direct sunlight, and they grow best in an alkaline, well-drained soil.
Lilac trees should be planted in a sunny spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Ideally, they should be planted close to a main walkway. If you’re planting a lilac in a grassy area, make sure you’re digging a hole twice as deep as the rootball. Regardless of the type of soil, lilacs need good drainage to thrive.
When planting lilacs, you need to remember that they have a deep root system, and they rarely break through the side of the foundation. They can easily grow a metre or more in your garden, and this can cause damage if they approach the foundation base. This is why it’s important to keep the soil moist and pH levels at the right level. You can also keep the roots of your lilac bush alive by pruning it. This will ensure that your lilac tree will remain healthy and strong.
When planting lilacs, you should wait until the leaves have fallen to give new roots time to develop and grow. It’s best to plant your lilacs in fall before the ground freezes or plant them in the spring before the buds have fully opened. Then, wait for a few days before the ground thaws out. Afterwards, water the soil and ensure that it remains moist.
If you’re concerned about lilac roots, you can install barriers that block them from reaching your foundation. Most lilacs need 12 feet of space away from the foundation. They may grow into trees, but they’re not considered invasive. So, you should plant a lilac close to the foundation to prevent them from touching it. In addition to preventing damage to the foundation, you should protect your lilacs from the water and sewer lines.
The depth of lilac roots depends on the size of the plant. A lilac with one-half-inch diameter will have a rootball of 22 inches. Similarly, a 6.3-inch-diameter lilac will have a rootball of 83 inches. In either case, the lilac’s rootball will grow to a maximum of 86 inches.