[Piccolo]

Does anybody know (approx) the root spread of a lilac tree or/and whether they have a tendency to interfere with water/drainage pipes?  I know willows are thought to seek water but is it also a problem with lilacs?

[spottymint]

Hi

I don't know about the root spread, but they do tend to send up suckers.

As a kid, we had one very near a fibreglass fish pond & the roots never damaged it, even 30 odd years on. 

[mumofstig]

I have lilac suckers 10ft away from the main trunk 

Luckily that's in the lawn so they get mown off, hopefully they will take the hint 

[Piccolo]

Hi, thanks for your replies   I must admit when I heard that said about the lilacs I was quite gobsmacked - it was a new one on me   (my sympathies by the way ref the suckers off your lilacs - not the easiest things to remove - been there, done that )

[Trillium]

True they'll send up more shoots but I've never found lilacs as troublesome as willows.

[viettaclark]

And what about sumac???!!!

[Trillium]

They can spread quickly when their seeds fall, or rather, shoot out  Roots aren't too bad but the dratted seeds and seedlings seem to end up everywhere like in my raspberry patch, in the flower beds, etc. Not sure if it's the squirrels hiding the seeds or what.

[Piccolo]

Are they the ones with the velvety stems/branches?  If so we used to have them in the garden when I was young - you don't seem to see them much anymore..shame I would have quite liked one for my garden (though my family would wonder where I could fit it in )

[Trillium]

I wouldn't say they're velvety but in the fall the leaves turn brilliant red. Here's a pic:

http://www.altnature.com/gallery/sumach.htm

[Piccolo]

Nope, reckon I got my trees mixed up    The one I was thinking of has a similar leaf but the branches always reminded me of deer antlers as they had a velvety down feel to them..the name was very similar though and it also sent out runners.

[viettaclark]

Think you're right....the sumac I had (which sent runners and shoots all over the grass as well as in beds) had downy branches.
May be a British variety.
Certainly didn't know you could eat it...might have saved some root and kept it confined in a pot.
Mind you..it's still likely to come up somewhere...

[rock_chick]

The velvety branched tree is a Rhus typhina - otherwise known as Stag's horn sumach.

[Wild Pony]

Rhus......arrrrrgggghhhhh the bane of my life, cheers peeps I've just finished therapy coz of that darn tree, and now I've relapsed, lolololol Only good rhus is a dead rhus........thank goodness for root out!

[catllar]

Now, now, wildpony , just take long sloooooowwww breaths and the feeling will soon pass - that's it,...... long......sloooowwww......breaths! Can I take it you don't like sumac??? Ooops sorry!

[Piccolo]

Hmmmmm, not a fan then    I haven't seen one for ages let alone one for sale.
cute though   (maybe I also like them as I have a soft spot for "thug" plants )