Share
Hi - I have uncovered roots near my water pipes that are damaging them. There are no trees in the immediate vicinity of the roots so would like to try and work out where the roots are coming from, by identifying the type of tree/plant. Any help would be appreciated
h
Hello @Barry7
Welcome to the Bunnings workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about identifying tree roots in your yard.
Identifying a plant just from its roots can be challenging, but some clues can help narrow it down. Certain plants have distinct root systems, such as bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, or taproots, while others have more generic fibrous roots. Features like thickness, colour, branching patterns, and any nodules or unusual structures can provide hints. However, if the roots are woody and spreading, they likely belong to a shrub, tree, or vigorous climbing plant rather than a small herbaceous plant.
Looking at the roots in your photo, they appear to be quite woody and have spread along the fabric liner, possibly searching for water or looser soil. This suggests they could be from a nearby tree, vine, or large shrub. If this area previously had plants, they might be remnants of old growth, or they could be from an invasive species. Some tree roots of certain species have been known to travel 30 meters++ when in search of water.
If you’re unsure of their origin, you could try tracing them back to the main plant or observing new growth after replanting a section. I also suggest taking lots of pictures and speaking to a local arborist in your area to possibly identify the roots.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
You might also like
