When City Trees Grow Too Large for their Metal Grates

[@TristanFrodelius]

That is a brilliant design feature. This is very cool.

[@timdurpos3298]

All you need is a cutting wheel on a 7" grinder

[@timdurpos3298]

We cut metal grates like that for driveway drains about a inch thick cast iron my 4 " DeWalt cuts right through the gaps all the time it's fun to work with steel and plasma cutters torches I did some ship work when I was younger awesome experience

[@raphaelmonserate1557]

i know exactly the tree we're talking about 😂😂 it definitely sucks when the grid just gets raised :(

[@RootCauseSeattle]

Oh yes and there are lots of them

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Also the heat from the torch scorches the earth and leaves behind issues. I'd opt to use an industrial saw or grinder. And clean surface. Or better yet slide in fabric to catch particles. Cut back. Then remove concrete amd apply recycles rubber replacement for concrete around root crown.

[@kenneth1755]

The problem is not the grate. The problem isn't the tree continuing to grow either. The problem is the people in charge of the trees being planted. In the city you have two constraints, the tree roots of many deciduous trees and their expansive crowns, especially if they don't have competition from other trees for sunlight. People in the Puget sound just aren't familiar with Appalachian hardwoods. Ya want color, great. Ya don't want problems, great. Stick to species which gives you both. Like pin oak and black and sweet gum and sassafras. They all have dynamic fall colors but grow very slowly so they don't develop hugely thick trunks and root structures. They also don't develop huge crowns which limits interference with power lines, street traffic and peoples' ability to see. They also are not nearly as demanding for maintenance and pruning.

[@robertjohnston6976]

The problem isn’t the tree. The problem is the PNW and too many people hahahaha!!! I can say that because I live here. One day where I live, Graham is going to turn into Renton and hopefully I’ll be gone when that happens