Marty, please be more specific in providing information in your inquiry. Are you planning on installing a new septic system? Where in the world is your “block” located? What are the species of trees growing on your block?
In Colorado USA, the State Guidelines for on-site sewage treatment systems requires that a leach field must have a minimum setback distance from a tree or shrub of 6-feet. I think that who ever was responsible for drafting the Guidelines used a dart board to come up with some number for this setback distance. It is obvious that there is no scientific basis for this setback distance requirement, and there is no basis for the setback distance to be left to common sense. It matters not if the tree has a trunk that is 5-feet in diameter or 1-inch in diameter, and there is no mention in the Guidelines as to the species of tree or shrub of concern.
John Aldrich (Septic Tank Yank)
Septic System Consultant
Timnath, Colorado USA
» This message has been edited by John Aldrich on 28 June 2003