How Do I Keep Roots From Trees Choking Out the Plants in the Raised Bed?

Question

I made raised beds and planted plants in them, but the oak trees about 30 feet away sent all its roots into the boxes and choked out my plants. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Typically tree roots start to invade spaces like that when they lack water or nutrients. They are hoping to find these resources in the new space. Since these are new roots, it will not harm the tree to remove them. I would then try setting up a watering schedule for the tree away from the beds, such as a sprinkler that waters regularly on the opposite side of the tree from the bed. This will encourage the tree to start growing roots out that way as the resources are there to be found.