Summary
Question: I have two small vegetable garden plots which are situated under wild cherry trees. I've noticed that, each year, the soil becomes invaded with lots of small roots. I've come to the conclusion that I need to move my gardens to avoid fighting with the trees and their roots. My intention is now to create a new garden space on a gradual hillside that's out from under the trees. Would it be correct to assume that if the garden plot was beyond the leaf line of the tree I should not have to worry much about tree roots?
Answer: Unfortunately, that's not a safe assumption. The root systems of large trees extend well beyond the drip line (the circle that would exist if you drew a line on the soil below the tips of the outermost branches). In fact, about 60 to 75 percent of a mature tree's total root mass extends beyond the drip line, and is located within the top 6 to 24 inches of soil. This large surface area is what anchors the tree in place. It also broadens the tree's ability to collect rainwater and nutrients from the uppermost part of the soil profile where the most organic matter and oxygen exist.See the full content of this document
Extract
Gardens Near Trees Often Invaded by Roots
The small roots you describe are called feeder roots and oft...
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