I have a swiming pool built in the late 1980s with red oak tree next to it. The oak is probably from the late 80s as well. Roots from the tree have cracked some of the walks around the pool, but have not cracked the gunnite.

Should I remove the tree before it gets larger? Will it break into the pool? To repair the walks around the pool I will have to cut some roots out. What is the likely effect of this on a red oak?

Also - the root system is quite shallow, some running at ground level. Same goes for two live oak trees in the front yard. I assume that this is due to inadequate watering on the part of the previous owner.

Some say the tree is ok, some say get it out of there.

Thanks,

Mike H

Hi Mike,

You probably already have your answer to this already.

quote:

Should I remove the tree before it gets larger?

That's a judgement call on your part once you have more info.

quote:

Will it break into the pool?

Probably

quote:

To repair the walks around the pool I will have to cut some roots out. What is the likely effect of this on a red oak?

You could have some crown dieback on the side where roots were severed. Some trees are more sensitive to root disturbance then others. There are root barriers that can be installed. I'm not certain this first method can be retrofitted or needs to be insatlled at the time of planting. You'll need to check with them on that.
http://www.deeproot.com/
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/rootgrowthbarriers.html

quote:

the root system is quite shallow, some running at ground level. Same goes for two live oak trees in the front yard. I assume that this is due to inadequate watering on the part of the previous owner.

The majority of tree roots grow in the top 12" to 18" of soil. Some trees have more surface roots then others. Live oak, locust and many maples have that habit.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WO017
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02926.html

Newt