Root system of weeping cherry tree

[cpet4351]

Help, I have a weeping cherry tree which has gotten much larger than we anticipated and was planted much too close to the house. We would like to take this tree down, but would like to know how the root system works.* Do the roots go straight down or do they go outward. We do not want to tear up our sidewalk or other bushes that are around this tree.* Thanks, Chris

[Newt]

Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear this.* I had a similar situation with an ornamental cherry I inherited with the house.* The roots of trees grow beyond the outer dripline of the canopy.* In our case we severed the roots where they went under the deck and left them to rot.* Here's info on how tree roots grow.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG08900.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WO017
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02926.html
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/trees_turf.aspx

Newt