You have marked out the location of your future fence, but a major obstacle arises: the roots of one or more trees lie along the line. This is a very common situation that can turn the installation of your rigid mesh fencing or your privacy screening panels into a real headache. Should you move the project, cut the roots at the risk of injuring the tree?
Assess the situation before starting the work
Before you even pick up the spade, a careful inspection is essential. Identify the exact line of your future fence and mark the position of each fence post. Then observe where the roots sit in relation to these marks. Are they large and close to the surface, or are they smaller rootlets? The distance between the trunk and the digging area is also a key factor. The closer you are to the trunk, the larger the roots will be—and the more vital they are to the tree.
This initial assessment will help you choose the most suitable method. If the roots are thin and few in number, the job will be straightforward. However, if a main root several centimetres in diameter crosses the location of a post, you will need to consider alternatives to traditional concrete setting so as not to compromise the stability of the tree and your installation.
What are the best techniques for working around roots?
When digging a standard post hole is impossible, you need to be resourceful. The goal is to ensure your posts are perfectly anchored without damaging the tree’s main root system. Several techniques can achieve this, depending on your site layout.
The simplest solution is often to shift the post slightly. Sometimes moving it by 10 to 20 centimetres is enough to avoid a large root. This option is particularly easy to implement with a rigid panel fence, which offers some flexibility in how it is fixed. You can adjust the panel position on the post using the fixing clamps, offsetting the slight shift so it is not visible.
Use specific post supports
If shifting is not possible, alternative anchoring systems can save your project. Instead of digging deep, you can choose surface or shallow fixing solutions.
- Screw-on base plates: If the root is close to a low wall or an existing concrete base, a base plate can be the ideal solution. This support fixes directly onto a hard, stable surface, allowing you to insert the fence post without having to dig into the ground.
- Drive-in supports: For soft ground and less substantial roots, metal drive-in supports may be sufficient. They look like long spikes that you drive into the ground with a sledgehammer, providing an anchoring point for the post without major excavation.
Dig by hand, carefully
When a mechanical solution is not an option, manual digging remains the best approach. Avoid using a powered auger, which could shred roots and injure the tree. Use a narrow spade or a trenching spade so you can work precisely. Dig gently around any roots you encounter.
The idea is to create a post hole whose shape adapts to the roots’ path, rather than forcing a perfectly cylindrical hole. You can then pour concrete around the root, so it becomes integrated into the footing without being cut.
Can you cut a root to install a post?
Cutting a root should always be your last resort. A poorly made cut can not only weaken the tree and make it vulnerable to disease, but also compromise its stability in strong winds. If you truly have no choice, it is essential to follow a few rules. Only cut small-diameter roots (ideally under 5 cm). Use a sharp hand saw or heavy-duty loppers to make a clean, straight cut. Avoid an axe or a pickaxe, which crush and tear the wood fibres.
For large-diameter roots, it is strongly advised not to intervene yourself. Removing a main root can have serious consequences for the tree’s health. In this case, it is wiser to call in a professional tree surgeon or landscaper, who will be able to assess the risks and propose the safest solution.
Choosing a fence suited to land with trees
The type of fence you choose can make installation much easier on land with roots. Welded panel fences or flexible mesh fencing are particularly recommended. Their modularity makes it easy to adjust the spacing between posts to avoid underground obstacles. You can slightly reduce or increase the distance between two posts without affecting the overall look or strength. This is a flexibility that solid fences or low walls do not offer, as they require continuous, regular foundations.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
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