Get to know your own backyard and help save the environment

Experts have warned Australians to be more careful about what they plant in their backyards as invasive* tree roots silently invade water tanks, pipes and even toilets.

The warning comes as shocking footage shows a 5.5m plant “monster” torn from a water tank.

It didn’t come from another planet, but the small tree that grew into the backyard water tank had alien-like tentacles in a massive root system, reaching two storeys high. In fact, the roots grew so long, they took over the entire water tank, forcing the homeowners to destroy it.

While water tanks and trees are both important ways to reduce our climate footprint*, planting the wrong type of tree too close to pipes or water tanks could lead to loss of water through cracked or damaged pipes. So how can we prevent these backyard disasters in order to be good climate citizens?

WHAT ARE INVASIVE TREE ROOTS?
Certain types of tree species have invasive roots – that is, they travel much further into the ground and further away from the tree than other species with smaller root systems. In fact, some tree species have been known to shoot roots as far as 30m away from the tree. If you have one of these trees in your backyard, there’s a chance those roots could bust through your pipes or even your neighbour’s.

WHY TREE CHOICE MATTERS
Elliot Aisthorpe of Big Country Earthworks was the man who pulled the 5.5m plant monster out of the tank. He warned the same thing could happen to anyone who has trees with invasive roots planted near their property.

“This is a great example why you should never plant trees with invasive roots near your home. You can just see what sort of damage they’re going to cause,” he said.

Mr Aisthorpe was dwarfed standing next to the tree once it was pulled from the tank, roots and all.

“Yep, that’s me standing next to it. I’m 1.85m and it’s about three times the height of me,” he said.

For many species of trees, the roots grow much further into the ground than people realise. Roots can find their way into pipes or water tanks, where they find water and continue growing – only to cause blockages, water supply firm Unitywater executive manager customer delivery Rhett Duncan said.

Mr Duncan said one in every three pipe blockages and overflows* were caused by tree root invasion.

“Pipe blockages cause wastewater* overflows in our infrastructure* that can flow into and damage the environment, and in people’s homes, up through toilets and shower recesses, causing a smelly mess and potential health risks or property damage,” he said. “We’re asking the community to pause before they plant, consider the types of trees they’re planting and plant them away from pipes.”

WHICH TREES ARE SAFE?
To help boost awareness, Unitywater has put up a free online mapping tool so residents can uncover the hidden network of water and wastewater pipes.

A planting guide has also been created to help residents know what to plant, and Mr Duncan urged gardeners to ask their local nurseries about plants with short root systems.

WHAT ABOUT SOIL?
Good soil health is another important thing to get to know. A recent study from Kellogg’s released on World Environment Day on June 5 found that almost four in ten Australians (39 per cent) didn’t know enough about the importance of good soil health for biodiversity*, crop resilience and protecting our food supply.

According to Soil Science Australia, we can also reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by improving our soil through things like revegetation*.

Its website has guides on how to identify what type of soil you have and how to test for contamination* from heavy metals that could be dangerous in food crops, such as lead*.

“The different properties of soils influence the types of plants and animals that thrive on them, and the ways in which we may use them,” the site states.

For more information, visit soilscienceaustralia.org.au/about/about-soil/

PLANT TO STOP INVASION
DON’T PLANT:
Golden cane palm

Gum tree (large species)

Common fig

Lilly pilly (large species)

Umbrella tree (an environmental weed in some areas)

West African tulip (An environmental weed in some areas)

Pine tree

Poinciana

Jacaranda

Broad – leafed paperbark

Weeping paperbark

Mango tree

Coral tree

Willow (all types) (this a Class 3 weed)

Camphor Laurel (this a Class 3 weed)

Wisteria

Black bean

DO PLANT:
(Directly above or up to 1.5m away from water supply and wastewater pipes):
Blue flax lily

Tall sedge

Spiny-headed mat-rush

Common tussock grass

Kangaroo grass

Common hovea

(Between 1.5m and 3m away from water supply and wastewater pipes):
Austral indigo

Dogwood

Dwarf banksia

Hairy bush pea

Sweet wattle

Woombye bush

Broad – leaved palm lily

(More than 3m away from water supply and wastewater pipes):
Blueberry ash

Plum myrtle

Peanut tree

POLL

GLOSSARY

• invasive: something that grows quickly and takes over the garden
• climate footprint: the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by a person or organisation
• overflows: when water or wastewater comes up out of the drain, sometimes into the sinks or toilets of the home
• wastewater: the water that has been used in the home that goes down sinks, baths, laundries and toilets
• infrastructure: all of the pipes and drains that supply water and provide a wastewater and sewerage system in the home
• biodiversity: all of the different species of life on Earth
• revegetation: replanting on land that has lost its native plant life due to land clearing
• contamination: soil that has been tainted with toxic waste or harmful materials
• lead: a metal that is harmful to the health. Lead used to be used in household paint, older plumbing systems and in petrol and is sometimes found in soil as a result of these products breaking down over time. Growing vegetables in soil with high amounts of lead can cause health problems for people who eat the vegetables

EXTRA READING
Royals ban popular bathroom item
Composting mandatory for millions
No Adults Allowed Garden blooms

QUICK QUIZ
1. What are invasive tree roots?
2. In what way do they pose a problem?
3. How can you find out which trees have short roots?
4. What is good soil health important for?
5. What is one example of a tree that has invasive roots?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Brainstorm!
Write a suspenseful, scary story inspired by the ideas in the story about a plant monster.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
“Soil is not a dirty word!” Create an information poster with this slogan about the importance of good soil health for us and for the environment. Can you think of a better slogan? Use it!

Time: allow at least 45 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you were there during the event being discussed in the article, or for the interview.

Create a conversation between two characters from the article – you may need or want to include yourself as one of the characters. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.

Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.