Thuja Brabant is a shallow-rooted plant. The root depth is therefore not as strong as with other plants that are deep-rooted. Nevertheless, the tree of life can develop a very pronounced root. You should therefore take the later root depth into account when choosing the location of your hedge.
How deep does the Thuja Brabant have roots?
The root depth of a Thuja Brabant is between 70 and 100 cm for a five meter high plant. As a shallow-rooted plant, it develops a dense root system that is larger than normal for hedge plants in order to reach deeper layers of soil for nutrients and water.
Thuja Brabant is a shallow rooter
Thuja Brabant originally grows in moist areas where there is a lot of surface water available to the tree of life. That's why the roots don't reach as deep.
Over time, however, the tree develops a very dense root system that connects with the roots of other Thujen in the hedge. Especially with hedge plants, the root depth is sometimes greater than usual. The roots have to reach deeper layers of earth to access nutrients and water.
For a five meter tall thuja, you must expect a root depth of 70 to 100 cm.
Consider the root depth of Thuja Brabant when planting
The root depth plays a particularly important role if you want to remove the Thuja Brabant hedge later. Digging by hand is not easy. Renting a small excavator (€45.00 on Amazon) provides good help, but the work may destroy the rest of the garden.
However, it is often enough to cut the tree of life or hedge down to a stump and then lift it out of the ground with a winch. Remnants of the roots can remain in the soil. The decomposition takes a very long time, but the thuja does not sprout again.
Because of the pronounced root system, an older Thuja Brabant can hardly be transplanted. You can't get the roots out of the ground undamaged.
Do roots damage sidewalks and borders?
It cannot be completely ruled out that paving slabs and borders are raised by the roots of the Thuja Brabant. This risk is lower with masonry.
But it takes time for the roots to spread so far. To be on the safe side, choose a sufficient distance from paths and neighboring gardens.
Tip
The planting distance between Thuja Brabant and neighboring properties is regulated by the municipality. In most cases, the distance from borders and roads must be as large as the thuja will later grow.
