Tree roots in the way

I'm creating a brick mowing strip around the perimeter of my lawn. Therefore, I'm digging deep enough to put the bricks in. Unfortunately, there's a couple areas where I've hit next door's tree roots so I can't put bricks in deep enough without hacking into the roots.

It's really frustrating, especially it's made me realised why the grass around that area always seemed to struggle!

If I cut into these roots, will it seriously harm the tree? Is it possible to lower the roots,
they're pretty thick? I can't see any other way without ruining my project.

I've read the sticky about tree roots and now I'm left feeling a bit disheartened.

Thanks.

 

Good morning @Gn0me. How about cutting the bricks for that bit to perch on the top - you`d hardly notice once the soil is pushed up around them

 

I would cut the roots,the tree will be fine. Legally its fine too.

 

oooo @WeeTam you little vandal

 

£20,000 Fine if its got a TPO on it or it's in a Conservation Area.

Plus if cutting the roots causes the tree to die and/or fall, you're liable for all the damage.

 

But arent you allowed to remove tree roots if they are causing damage to your property.?

You may want to ask the neighbour who owns the tree if they want the roots back?

I cant see removing any minor surface roots to lay a course of surface bricks doing any major damage to a healthy tree.

Obviously if its a protected tree its a different matter.

 

Yes, but there's mention of damage to property, and if there was any work should still be carried out to avoid causing unecessary damage to the neighbour's tree [1], or destabilising it. And if it was causing damage it would be better to claim costs of getting an insured tree surgeon to do the work, surveyor to specify remedial works, etc. and claiming the lot off the neighbour's house insurance.

[1] The same would apply with a neighbour's tree close to the boundary if you cut every branch back to the boundary, as you are entitled to do, and made the tree unstable and fall causing damage, you would be liable.

 

Thanks for your replies.

If it's not going to kill the tree then I'd prefer to remove it, otherwise I'll try Tetters suggestion and try to cut the brick.

Would it help if I uploaded pictures of the tree & root? Could it depend on the tree whether it will suffer?

Thanks again.

 

Why bother to take any chances when a few broken bricks will do the job - it`s not like a bit of edging is a life and death situation. I might alternatively think about curving the line of bricks, you never know it might look a bit more artistic.

 

Do you know what kind of tree it is?
Some trees sucker wildly from sawn off roots, you could cause yourself a real problem by cutting them from the main plant.

 

WeeTam...weather your allowed to or not mate...our garden was plastered with heavy rooting from the neighbours conifer at the back of we but my hubby diced through them so the slabs and lawn could be done levels and those conifers in all the 10yrs we've been here are still going strong and been lopped in half 3 times

 

Hello Gn0me, uploading pic's always helps the members mate to help you better