trees with garden friendly roots

Hello I am wanting to plant some trees to grow large in my garden but I dont want the roots to damage the lawns surrounding. Are there any trees that I can plant without the roots growing across and contain the roots?

Keith

 

Much of the information available on tree roots is regarding distance to houses/subsidence potential.

With that in mind this site has a chart giving root spread distances - which might help you gauge your tree/lawn issues.

For a more indepth look at the issues, including soil structures etc., this site may be of interest to you.

I have an old apple tree in my lawn. The grass grows freely right up to the trunk.

 

Trees in pots. 'Nuff said.

 

How about a palm?
Trachycarpus, most palms and monocots dont have surface spreading roots.
Cordylines, but I admit the list is a bit limited in the UK.

 

I might not know what I'm on about, but I've never seen a situation where tree roots alone cause a problem in the garden.

A well established tree will have a well established root network, and those roots will take water and nutrients from the ground, starving your plants. The solution to my simple mind is simple (and works for me). Just improve the soil with plenty of compost or manure.

The bigger problem in my experience comes from the shade that the trees cast.

 

Avoid flowering cherry, their shallow roots as they mature can be a major nuisance in lawns.

 

I agree with Dave avoid any of the cherry trees, they all have shallow roots and when they mature they become very noticable often breaking through the surface

 

Ditto lilac. Don't put an ash in either.

 

I was thinking of a flowering cherry for the middle of my lawn... I think I've changed my mind! It was between that and a crab apple? Are they similar root systems?

 

Bonsai comes to mind then HarmonyArb, will keep the Karma in the garden