Are Bismarckia roots invasive to a water line ?

[Tropical Toni]

I have a 15 gal Bizzy wanting to put in ground. Where I want to plant the palm is right by the water line. I did a walk around the neighborhood to see if there are any other trees around other water lines on other houses & there are, some very near, others farther. My husband is worried about the palm's roots causing damage to the line. Is he worried for nothing ? From what I read, palms roots are more shallow. 

 

Thoughts ?

[Jim in Los Altos]

I wouldn’t worry in the least. Palm roots are generally safe and nondestructive. I have a large adult Bismarck palm just inches from my main water line and other even bigger palms closer to that line and have never had a single problem.  This Parajubaea torallyi’s 34” wide trunk is actually touching the water meter box. The Bismarck palm is visible to the right. 
 

[Harry’s Palms]

The only problem I have had with palm roots is the French drain that runs down the side of my house . When my house was new the company that put the cheap plastic (really cheap) 3” pipe down under ground did not glue the connections. The palm roots easily entered the drain at every joint and eventually plugged it up so the water would not drain to the street. I hired some guys to dig it up and install heavy plastic pipes with hot glue . After they were done I took the opportunity to put a much neede pathway on. Where my water main is out front , there are a bunch of palms , some very large…… no problem! Harry

In the middle of all this is my water main, to the left of the Dioon . A Chambeyronia is planted right over top of the main! Been that way starting back in 1997 when the house was new.

Under this pathway about 2’ down is a 3” drain that is now glued together . No roots now that it is done correctly . Palm roots are always looking for water so all joints must be glued . They cannot/ will not penetrate even schedule 40 PVC let alone a water main. Oak or Pine is another story! Harry

A disclaimer: this is based on my experience only , and the experience of other palm collectors I have known!

[JLM]

The only way the roots will invade your water line is if there is a leak for them to enter through.

[SeanK]

How old is the water line? My house had some blue plastic stuff coming in. After 30 years, it leaked and needed replacement. It is now copper.

I don't know know how sensitive Bismarckia is to root disturbance. However, if the neighborhood is old, you may want to check on the condition of the feeder pipe.

[Stevetoad]

Funny this came up. My Bizzy just busted one of my sprinkler pipes. Wasn’t really its fault though. I didn’t plan on it getting as fat as it is and the roots more of pushed the pipe to the breaking point and didn’t grow into them. Like an elephant pushing a tree over. 

[Looking Glass]

It’s a commonly asked question, and the answer is probably more common sense than anything else.  

Will a large palm violently attack your pipes?… no.   Will the mass effect of roots and a large rootball potentially damage pipes eventually?…. Possibly.   Will your main water line eventually be damaged by just time alone?… Yes.   Will it complicate repairs and leak detection?… Yes.   Is it worth it?…  you decide.   

What is the pipe material and diameter and the exact distance from the tree?  Copper, galvanized steel, pvc, pex?  Copper develops pinhole leaks, galvanized steel rusts, PVC cracks, soft pipes get pinched off.  

My neighbor just installed a corrugated drainage pipe deeply next two his giant bizzy, and foxtail group.   It took a company 2 days of digging and chopping giant roots to finish a short trench today, and bury the pipe.   That thin cheap pipe will be crushed by the root recovery and dirt movement in 2 years, guaranteed.   I would have used schedule 80 PVC.  

[Tropical Toni]

Thank you all for your input !! 🙏

 

Now if the dumb city would loosen up on what i want to plant in my parkway ....🤬 

 

The approved species list is so boring🥱

[Bkue]

That’s silly. All plants, palms, trees, seek water. If there is an opportunity yes it will be a problem. I have had all scenarios some that grew around some that created fractures. If you get a fracture yes it will seek. That said, it is going to grow and move ANYTHING out of its path. Pavers, concrete, irrigation, water mains, drains, etc.