The footprint of the drystone wall I'm building in Dorset Ontario had to travel over some big roots.
Best not to cut these suckers.
This tree needs to be able to hang onto the side of the hill and get water and all the nourishment it can. The bedrock here is sometimes only inches below the surface. It's all part of the Canadian shield and the thin covering of soil provides precious little for things to grow in as it is.
We've dug all around the roots, added clear aggregate for drainage and created a longish middle abutment.
Eventually I created three below grade 'piers' for lintel stones to straddle.
Another view.
Note the slope of the grade. Again, for many reasons, it's good not to cut these roots, especially the uphill ones.
Here you can see the first of three 'straddle stones' which leaves two 'canals' for the roots to grow without affecting the wall.
Another view.
The roots have plenty of room. The tree is pretty much full grown so the roots shouldn't get much bigger.
All three 'straddle stones' create a wide enough base for the rest of the wall to be built up over.
The section of wall to the left also has stile steps being incorporated into it . The triangle stone lying on the ground is pointing to the 'canals' I've created, which are barely visible above grade
Most people wouldn't know there are root canals just to the left of the base of that tree in this photo but they are there.
It's our job as wallers to see that the stones and the trees continue to get along.
Oh, and to get along with each other too !
