Q.What Are These Roots And How Do I Get Rid Of Them?
The roots (shown in photos) run all through the soil of my back garden. It is difficult to dig where they are. I have tried various methods of getting rid of them, including cutting down my Chinese elm, using raised beds and putting carpet underneath the soil. Nothing has stopped it and it grows quite fast. It is fibrous and mostly thin but does have some thicker strands which are hard to cut through. Very hard to use a shovel wherever they are. Can anyone help?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It is very difficult to say, just by looking at the roots, without knowing which species are nearby. I would suspect the closest thing to your garden. That, or many grasses can set up roots in your soil and grow long before you see anything above the soil line.
These articles will offer some more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/gardening-around-tree-roots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/problem-tree-roots.htm
