Can I trim the roots of a matured Magnolia tree to protect a block wall and cap stones of a pool? The Magnolia is about 18" DIA with and trimmed to 15' DIA canopy. It is about 2' from a wall and 7' from a pool. It is surrounded by 2" think concrete slab on the other two sides. The wall has a big crack because of the Mag roots. The consensus is to cut down the tree to protect the pool and wall. I still want to save the tree by digging a trench along wall and pool side to cut all the roots. I want pour concrete on pool and wall sides to prevent future root growth. Will it work? How deep do I need to dig? Will the tree be standing at winding condition? George
Cutting off roots big enough to crack wall will probably kill tree. If not spoiled by this tree would eventually replace roots. So, either way it would not work out. Same as with topping - it either wrecks the tree or the top grows back.
