[Arid_gardener] Is pyrochantha root causing problem

[olindmiller]

It is more likely that watering the plants next to the brick wall will 
soften the soil around the foundation and cause the fence to lean.  Most 
building codes require a foundation to be at least one foot below the top of 
undisturbed soil with an embedded course of rebar along the footing.  But 
not all cities require fence inspections (e.g., Phoenix) so the installer 
may skimp a bit.  And even if not, it could still be a problem if the plants 
were watered just before a strong wind.  Pyracantha grows very rapidly and 
is often espaliered against a fence without causing structural problems.

Olin
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----- Original Message ----- From: "Len Murphy" <gvlen at cox.net>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 11:16 AM
I have pyrochantha in the back yard.  My neighbor is suggesting that the 
roots of the pyrochantha are causing his brick wall to lean.  Is this 
likely?