We discovered we have issues with our wastewater lateral and it needs to be replaced. Not to get too into the details but where we expected to find a 4” cast iron lateral that could be cleaned and lined we instead found a 6” terra cotta lateral with multiple issues that mainly stem from extensive root infiltration from the maple tree that was planted about 4 feet away from it.
The photo shows the tree and very close to where the line runs. The plan from our contractor is to dig up either side of the stairs and replace with PVC since lining isn’t possible. The excavation is planned to be only in the mulch beds shown, since the main runs in the grass about three feet away from the end of the bed. The existing terra cotta will be left under the stairs and to the main and lined then connected to the PVC.
Our concern is how close the excavation is to the tree and how it will impact the trees health. Ideally we would use trenchless but that isn’t really an option, and rerouting isn’t really possible due to needing to reuse the existing house and main connections. So what should I be sure our contractor is doing to best protect the tree, and how should we take care of it once everything is complete. We are expecting some die off in the canopy but it’s a really healthy tree so we are hoping that with good care we can save it overall.
Thanks! TIL and have a rabbit hole to dive down. This one at least has not pushed out anything native at least since it’s in a yard in a suburb, and the wooded areas around us are chock full of native trees.
It also seems to be at least tolerated by the birds and such around us, we regularly see nests in it every year and the birds are always flitting around it. We offer quality bird feed as well to keep our cardinals and titmouses (titmice?) happy year round. But if it dies and needs replaced we will for sure look at native options.
Yes, definitely check it out.
Important thing is that Norway maple won’t provide food for caterpillars, which are 100% necessary for many birds to have babies around these parts. So it takes care of one part of a birds needs whereas a native tree would produce the full spectrum of characteristics that they need to persist.
Cool to think about how complex the food web really is. Good luck on the project! 🤙🤙