I’d like to install an arbor next to a rose bush. How far away should I put it to avoid injuring the plant? -Rachael

To keep from harming your rose bush, you’ll need to locate the arbor poles where digging won’t disturb the plant’s roots. To do this, you’ll need to know two things:

Pole Requirements

The size and depth of the post holes depends on the type of arbor and how it’s installed. Poles with poured concrete reinforcement around them might need a hole as big as 2-3 feet deep and 1-2 feet wide, while a lightweight soil mounted arbor might only require a 12” diameter hole.

Plant Root Size

You’ll also need to know the approximate size of the root ball of the existing plants near the arbor location. Roots can vary depending on the plant, and unless you want to do some careful exploratory digging, you’ll have to make an educated guess. There are several ways to estimate the size of a plant’s root ball:

Rose arbor over path

  • Plant Diameter: As a quick rule of thumb, you can estimate the size of the root ball to be at least as wide as the diameter of the plant’s foliage.
  • Trunk Size: You can also estimate the size of a shrub or tree root ball based on the size of the trunk. According to the Generic Rootball Size Guide from the Tennessee Arboretum, multiply the diameter of a trunk by 18 for trunks between ½”-1″ in diameter, and 16 for trunks between 1″-1½” in diameter.

Good luck!

Julie

Further Information

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Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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