Patio being pushed up by tree roots!

Hi there

We have an old loose-paved circular patio area, maybe 3m diameter, and several of the patio stones are being lifted by roots from silver birch trees (around 10m tall) next to the patio area. The easy solution is to lift the slabs and remove the roots (appreciating they will come back in due course) but I’m most concerned about whether we are likely to destabilise the tree(s) if we do so. Can anyone suggest whether this could be a problem, or am I overthinking it?

Newbie here, so thanks for your help!

 

Welcome to the forum! I think it would depend upon on the proximity of the tree? There are many gardeners here who will know what is safe to do.

 

I think without seeing what you are likely to be cutting off its going to be difficult for anyone to say.

 

Thanks both, I appreciate the quick responses. The trees are no more than a couple of feet from the edge of the patio, and the patio extends a further 10 feet so we’re talking about roots 6-12 feet from the tree. I guess my question really should be about the root systems of silver birch - are they shallow and wide or narrow and deep. I’m sure they extend much further than my little patio, in whichever direction!

 

Hi Stephen The silver birch is a beautiful tree it is a shallow-rooted tree with root systems that have been known to spread up to 10 metres. Although silver birch roots are not considered to be aggressive, they have been known to cause significant damage to lawns, patios, and other structures. As you mentioned the patio If you was thinking of removing or cutting it down before you do anything you should contact your local authority to check whether the tree has a preservation order on it. As i read in some places it has
My tenants have a silver birch in their back garden but its away from the house but when it needed triming i had a tree surgeon to trim the silver birch as improper cutting including the roots can weaken it
And the best time to do it between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. I found this website it might help

• www.gardenguides.com › 113555-cut-birch-tree-rootsGarden Guides | How to Cut Birch Tree Roots
  · Cutting a birch tree's roots weakens it, leaves it prone to infection and, if done improperly, can put it off balance enough to cause it to topple over. Determine which roots are
  

 

Photo would really help. Assuming they are your trees and you want to keep the patio then you are probably looking at removing trees and roots and relaying patio.
I would get professional advice about the trees.
Silver birch tend to have fairly shallow roots.